The number of cars in storage declined again for the 7th consecutive month. As of February 1, 2021 there was a total of 396,847 cars in storage, a decline of 12,422 cars (-3.04%) month over month. The number of cars in storage is now actually -3,368 cars less than this time last year. At these levels this represents 23.97% of the total North American rail fleet in storage, down from 24.7% last month. A majority of that decline came from tanks (down 4,548 cars) and covered hoppers (down 5,040 cars), while open top hoppers and flats increased.
Cars continue coming out of storage and carloads are also improving. Grain remains the strongest category, with grain carloads up 40% YoY last month. If you exclude grain and coal, carloads are actually down by 2.7%. Still, covered hoppers and tank cars together represent 67% of all of the railcars in storage. The number of cars in storage continues to decline steadily as cars are scrapped and new orders are declining. The railway supply institute is reporting a drop in 4th quarter 2020 railcar orders, deliveries and backlog. Carbuilders took orders for 3,397 cars in fourth-quarter, a 60% drop compared with 8,464 in Q4 2019, and a 41% decline from 5,783 in Q3 2020. Total orders for 2020 were 17,275—far lower than 2018’s 77,478 and 2014’s peak of 138,234 orders.
Call PFL For All Your Railcar Storage Needs Today – We have spaces to offer you North America Wide 239-390-2885
If you are need of or have storage available or if you need maintenance, the cleaning of cars or are looking to reposition cars in a cost effective manner, call PFL today! We can trouble shoot your situation and work diligently to find a solution for you!
If you are a short line operator and you have questions about the 45G tax credit please call PFL today 239-390-2885.
Live Railcar Storage Availability
As a storage operator or a user of storage, PFL can help maximize your profitability. PFL offers turn-key solutions to operators and users alike. PFL Field Services LLC is preforming work inside many storage operations and short lines. PFL Field Services will clean railcars, service railcars cars and scrap cars on a mobile basis with a PFL Guarantee and has crews available ready to serve you today no matter where you are at in the country. We have acquired top rated, brand new equipment to service you the customers. PFL Field Services also offers inspection services from top rated qualified inspectors now full time at PFL. Call us today to book a time! Our goal is to provide a win/win scenario for all and we can handle virtually all of your railcar needs onsite at a storage facility. Saving a user empty moves to a shop. Not only is it more efficient saving time and money for the car owner or lessee and lessor but retains the short lines storage customer at the facility over the long term. PFL handles loaded storage, empty storage mobile railcar cleaning, blasting, mobile railcar repair and scrapping of all railcars at storage facilities across the country. If you are an operator and have cars onsite that your customers need to have work done let them know you can do it via PFL Field Services. We can assist on return on lease scenarios saving Lessor and Lessee thousands of dollars. Call the desk today 239-390-2885.