From Progressive Railroading:
The freight-car order slowdown continues — and it'll continue at least through next year, according to Economic Planning Associates Inc.'s (EPA) third-quarter "Outlook for Rail Cars" report.
Of the 8,121 cars ordered during the quarter, 4,318, or 53.2 percent, were for ethanol-related tank cars and hi-cube equipment, EPA said. Of the 67,000 cars in the current backlog, 43,130, or 64.3 percent, either are of the tank car or high-cube covered hopper variety.
Based on assemblies through the year's first three quarters and current backlogs, EPA now projects rail-car deliveries to total 64,500 in 2007 and 57,500 in 2008....
