orders for railway freight wagons in the US surge

Orders for freight cars (or as we call them, goods wagons) have spiked to the highest level in 13 years, seven times the levels of a year ago, Bloomberg reports. The rail car builders received orders for 36,903 cars in 2011’s first quarter, according to the Railway Supply institute.

“The industry is strong and is attracting investment dollars in both rail operations and rolling stock,” said Charles Clowdis, managing director of transportation advisory services at IHS Global Insight. “Investment in railroads and rail equipment as well is validated by the new railcar orders.”

Approximately one-third of the orders are coming from leasing company GATX Corporation, which operates a fleet of 132,000 cars worldwide.

For examples of types being built nowadays, here is the Freightcar America website