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.
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.”