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U.S. Locomotives, Train And Train Cars Market. Analysis And Forecast to 2030
Report Update: Jun 1, 2025

U.S. Locomotives, Train And Train Cars Market. Analysis And Forecast to 2030

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Jan 13, 2025

U.S. Railroad Industry Faces Uncertain Future Amid Economic and Policy Challenges

The U.S. railroad industry faces a future filled with significant uncertainty as it navigates numerous economic and policy challenges, according to the latest annual Rail Industry Outlook by the Association of American Railroads (AAR). The comprehensive report, which can be accessed here, highlights the impact of potential shifts in fiscal policy, trade, immigration, taxation, and regulatory frameworks as we head into 2025.

Despite the prevailing uncertainty, the rail industry ended 2024 on a strong note, with intermodal volumes reaching their third-highest annual figures. According to data from the IndexBox platform, consumer spending, bolstered by a robust labor market, played a pivotal role in this growth, even as coal shipments continued their decline. Excluding coal, carloads saw modest gains in December, marking a significant achievement since this growth trajectory has not occurred since 2018.

The AAR's Freight Rail Index (FRI), which tracks seasonally adjusted intermodal volumes and carloads excluding coal and grain, reported a 2.2% increase in December from the previous month. This upward trend is a positive indicator that, despite manufacturing sector weaknesses and a complex policy landscape, the broader U.S. economy retains resilience as we transition into the new year.

Labor market insights from the AAR reveal that consumer spending continued to be robust in 2024, driven by an average of 186,000 new jobs per month, a figure comparable to pre-pandemic levels from 2010-2019. Inflation-adjusted average earnings saw consistent year-over-year growth across 20 months, supporting strong consumer activities and, by extension, rail intermodal growth.

Manufacturing, a crucial component of rail demand, struggles against the backdrop of economic uncertainties and past hindrances. Nevertheless, 12 out of 20 carload categories tracked experienced growth in 2024. Specifically, chemicals reached record carload numbers at 1.69 million, up 4.1% year-on-year, while grain exports saw an 8.5% increase, underlining a positive shift in some sectors despite overall challenges.

While business confidence shows signs of improvement as we advance into 2025, spearheaded by recent surveys from the National Association of Manufacturers and the Business Roundtable, the way forward remains unpredictable. According to Rand Ghayad, AAR's chief economist, "The interplay between these policies will be critical in determining whether the labor market remains resilient enough to sustain consumer spending and support continued rail intermodal growth." Railroad operators remain committed to adapting to these challenges by prioritizing customer service and economic growth throughout the coming year.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the market for locomotive, train and train car in the U.S.. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

  • NAICS 336510 - Railroad rolling stock manufacturing

Companies mentioned:

  • Trinity Industries
  • Knorr Brake Truck Systems Company
  • Amsted Rail Company
  • Ansaldo STS Usa
  • Wabtec Corporation
  • The Greenbrier Companies
  • American Railcar Industries
  • Conglobal Industries
  • Bombardier Transportation (holdings) USA
  • Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
  • Siemens Rail Automation Corporation
  • Standard Car Truck Company
  • Johnstown America Corporation
  • Freightcar America
  • National Railway Equipment Co
  • Gunderson
  • G. K. Enterprises
  • Motivepower
  • Plasser American Corporation
  • Rescar Industries
  • Knorr Brake Holding Corporation
  • Union Tank Car Company
  • Loram Maintenance of Way
  • Marmon Industrial
  • Starfire Holding Corporation
  • Buffalo Investors Corp
  • Highcrest Investors
  • Gunderson Rail Services
  • Railworks Transit Systems
  • Acf Industries Holding Corp.
  • Powerplus Group Inc.USA

Country coverage:

  • United States

Data coverage:

  • Market volume and value
  • Per Capita consumption
  • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
  • Trade (exports and imports) in the U.S.
  • Export and import prices
  • Market trends, drivers and restraints
  • Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

  • Take advantage of the latest data
  • Find deeper insights into current market developments
  • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
    11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
    12. Exports and Growth, By Product
    13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
    14. Production Volume and Growth
    15. Exports and Growth
    16. Export Prices and Growth
    17. Market Size and Growth
    18. Per Capita Consumption
    19. Imports and Growth
    20. Import Prices
    21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

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