The total size of the North American rail equipment fleet once again held steady during the third quarter of 2013. The total equipment count was 1,969,766 compared to 1,978,807 during the second quarter of 2013, resulting in a less than one percent decrease from last quarter.
The three largest segments were covered hoppers (26 percent), tank cars (18 percent) and gondolas (13 percent).
Group increases over the previous quarter once again were led by EOTs (one percent); whereas, the most significant declines were found this quarter in box cars and IM flats, down two and one 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 (new window will open).
Data Source: Railinc Umler® System. Data represents all equipment units on file including pre-registered, restricted and scrap units.
Copyright 2013 Railinc Corp. All Rights Reserved. Use of this information without written permission is prohibited. Railinc publishes this information as a service to the North American Rail Industry.