The total size of the North American rail equipment fleet once again held steady during the first quarter of 2013. The total equipment count was 1,967,958 compared to 1,964,205 during the fourth quarter of 2012, resulting in a negligible increase from last quarter.
The three largest segments were covered hoppers (26 percent), tank cars (17 percent) and gondolas (13 percent).
Group increases over the previous quarter were led by tanks (five percent). The most significant declines were found in EOTs and hoppers, down three percent and two percent, respectively.
The total count of equipment in the revenue-earning fleet currently stands at just over 1.5 million. The revenue-earning fleet is a subset of the North American rail fleet that is largely composed of freight cars that can be used in interchange service and against which an interline waybill can be placed. The revenue-earning fleet of freight cars is made up of six sub-fleets: box cars, covered hoppers, flats, gondolas, open hoppers and tank cars. It excludes locomotives, intermodal trailers and containers, maintenance-of-way equipment and end-of-train devices.
To watch Railinc's David Humphrey's quarterly video commentary, click the image below (a new window will open).
Data Source: Railinc Umler® System. Data represents all equipment units on file including pre-registered, restricted and scrap units.
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