Economic Planning Associates

Freight car market climbing toward 60K: EPA

Freight car deliveries will reach nearly 60,000 units by 2022, driven by strength in boxcars, covered hoppers, mill gondolas, intermodal equipment, and tank cars, according to the most recent forecast issued by Economic Planning Associates.

Freight car market heating up—fast

Following a weak start in commodity movements in the first two months of 2018, demand for freight cars has remained steady, according to the most recent analysis from Economic Planning Associates—and it’s going to improve significantly over the next four years.

Worker painting railcar

Railcar demand “relatively stable”: Toja

Despite a significant slowing in commodity traffic during the second half of last year, demand for railcars was relatively stable in the fourth quarter, according to the most recent report from Economic Planning Associates. After 8,671 cars were ordered in the third quarter, orders for 8,501 cars were placed in the fourth quarter.

3Q railcar market “relatively stable”

In spite of a slowing in the movements of major commodities, demand for railcars was relatively stable in this year’s third quarter, according to the most recent report issued by Economic Planning Associates (EPA).

Freight car market looking better and better

The outlook for railcars “has brightened considerably,” according to the most recent market analysis from Peter Toja of Economic Planning Associates. Second-quarter 2017 deliveries of 10,625 cars and orders for 17,665 raised industry backlogs from 60,471 at the end of March 2017 to 66,561 units at midyear, or 6.3 quarters of production at current assembly rates.

Railcar production improvement: Wait for 2019

Freight car deliveries will remain relatively flat over the next two years at 42,500 units annually but will enter an up-cycle, according to the most recent quarterly report issued by Economic Planning Associates.

Freight cars: Backlog bolsters deliveries, but it won’t last

The most recent freight car forecast from Economic Planning Associates calls for deliveries of just under 62,000 units in 2016, as carbuilders work off significant backlogs, followed by a 21,000-car plummet in 2017, a slightly worse 2018, and the beginnings of a small rebound in 2019.