Fleet Stats '06: The Order of Things

This article suggests that the market for freight cars will continue to be brisk in 2006 if the first quarter of the year is any indication. Last year’s new-car acquisitions totaled more than 68,000, the largest since 1999 and an increase of 46.4 percent over 2004’s total. During the first quarter of 2006, rail-car deliveries totaled 18,542. If that pace continues, there could be more than 74,000 cars delivered this year. The reasons for the run on rail cars include a relatively good U.S. economy, growth in the intermodal, coal and merchandise segments of the market, and more truck-to-rail diversions. Ethanol production has also led to a surge in orders. Included in the Fleet Stats ’06 are the following statistics: 1) selected car fleet data; 2) railroad car owners; 3) private car owners; 4) changes in the U.S. freight car fleet; 5) U.S. freight cars by type and age; and, 6) Class I locomotives.