Tie Suppliers See Strong Year

Railway Age, March, 1999

The Railway Tie Association (RTA) predicts 1999 Class I and short line tie demand will equal or exceed 1998's 18 million-plus total. As many as 500,000 more ties could be installed by all markets, not including tie requirements for a Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad extension and further Mexican orders.

RTA estimates that Class I investment will be stronger in the East due to increases in Conrail track-miles by new owners CSX and Norfolk Southern, while in the West and Canada there will be a flat or softer market.