2015 freight car deliveries: 85,000

Based upon a record backlog of nearly 143,000 units, Economic Planning Associates is projecting deliveries of 85,000 freight cars and intermodal platforms in 2015. Close to half—40,000 cars—will be tank cars.

2015 OUTLOOK: Can we handle it?

Another year of record capital investment will be needed to build more capacity to keep up with growing demand.

Freight car backlog nears 125,000

The freight car backlog at the end of third-quarter 2014 amounted to 124,437 cars and platforms, the highest backlog level since October 1979’s 127,887 (when figures were compiled monthly), according to figures Railway Age obtained from Economic Planning Associates (EPA) and the Railway Supply Institute. This third-quarter’s backlog dwarfs prior high points of first-quarter 2006’s 86,853
 units and third quarter 1998’s 69,858.

EPA railcar overview: Short-term deliveries rising, with a “formidable” backlog

Economic Planning Associates has once again raised its estimate for 2104-2015 freight car deliveries, based on “a strong first-half 2014” and “a formidable backlog” approaching 100,000 units.

Freight car forecast: 62,300 units in 2014

Economic Planning Associates has made a modest upward revision to its freight car deliveries estimate for 2014, to 62,300 units. This number, EPA said, “is based on first-quarter 2014’s strength in orders, assemblies, and end-of-March backlogs.” For 2015, EPA is predicting 61,300 cars.

Freight car market will see moderate expansion: EPA

Based on a “broadening demand for rolling stock, beginning-of-the-year backlogs, and continued growth in customer markets,” Economic Planning Associates, in its quarterly freight car review released Jan. 31, 2014, predicts 2014 deliveries to expand to 59,500 units, a 12.2% increase over last year, but then level off for a while.

Freight car backlog will boost 2014 deliveries

The backlog of ordered and undelivered new freight cars stands at 73,800 units, “a relatively high level from an historical perspective,” according to Economic Planning Associates (EPA). That high number is expected to push deliveries to the 57,800-unit mark in 2014, a 13% improvement over the 50,400 deliveries expected for 2013. The 2013 projected figure is a 14.5% drop from 2012’s 57,700 units. Beginning in 2015, annual railcar assemblies are projected to expand gradually from 60,000 units to 64,000 cars and intermodal platforms in 2018.

Freight car market headed for new growth in 2014

Economic Planning Associates, in its quarterly freight car building forecast released Monday, July 29, expects this year’s numbers, which are lagging about 11% behind 2012’s, to improve significantly in 2014. “Based on first-half assemblies and mid-year backlogs, we look for deliveries of 52,500 railcars this year, a 10.8% decline from the 2012 level,” EPA’s Peter Toja said. “Next year, we look for a rebound to 60,300 deliveries as our economy shows somewhat stronger growth and some aging equipment is replaced.”

Tank car building drives a growing freight car market

Freight car building is in the tank—literally.

Freight car forecast: Wait till 2015

In its current quarterly freight car building forecast, Economic Planning Associates, Inc., says that, except for the booming tank car market, 2013, “in spite of continued [high capital] investments by the railroads, will be a difficult year for carbuilders. Most other car types will see moderation or declines in deliveries as our economy struggles.”
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