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Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Vaughan Immerwahr Vaughan Immerwahr New York, United States Last Updated: September 2024 NAICS 33651

Revenue

$12.6bn

2024

$12.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

27,692

Businesses

146

Wages

$X.Xbn

Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US industry analysis

Train, subway and transit car manufacturers have contended with difficult times in recent years. The outbreak of COVID-19 brought the whole economy to a halt, including travel and freight transportation. This resulted in a period of low demand, as fewer new railcars were needed. This also meant little wear was put on the existing railcars, reducing the need for maintenance and replacement even as the economy reopened. Government assistance and revitalized industrial activity have helped jumpstart the rolling stock manufacturing industry recently, though not enough to counteract the revenue declines of previous years. Overall, industry revenue has been falling at a CAGR of 2.6% to $12.7 billion in the current period, with an increase of 0.02% in 2024.

Trends and Insights

  • General economic activity drives industry performance. The more consumers spend on travel and the greater the level of industrial production and freight transport, the more railcars are needed.
  • The locomotives and parts segment is crucial for revenue stability. With ongoing investments in cleaner technologies, this area continues to meet the persistent demand for reliable rail transport across various applications.
  • Proximity to industrial production raises the appeal for railcar manufacturers. These products are shipped around the country at a high volume.
  • The major manufacturers dominate the industry. Large contracts with key rail services, leasing companies and commodity producers keep the four biggest manufacturers at the top.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 2.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $12.6bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

A drop in demand hinders growth

  • As COVID-19 swept through the US, lockdown orders were put in place to mitigate the spread of the virus, bringing travel and freight transport to a halt.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Sustainability initiatives will push customers towards rail

  • With an increasing customer preference for environmentally friendly businesses and products, many companies will seek to make their operations as sustainable as possible.

Biggest companies in the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp
3,849.9
645.5
16.8
Trinity Industries Inc.
2,525.1
239.3
9.5
Greenbrier Companies Inc.
2,131.9
198.4
9.3

To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Locomotives and parts (diesel and nondiesel-electric), Train and train cars (freight and passenger) and Railway equipment and parts. Locomotives and parts (diesel and nondiesel-electric) is the largest segment of the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US.

Trends and Insights

Locomotives tow the industry along

  • A locomotive is a vehicle that provides the motive power for a train, although engines are not included in the scope of this industry. Diesel-electric locomotives are the most commonly used option for freight and commuter rail trains.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies within this industry manufacture or rebuild locomotives and parts, railroad cars and streetcars, along with railway track maintenance equipment. Specific products include industrial, mining and railroad locomotives; railroad, light-rail, subway and transit cars; railroad rolling stock; and railroad equipment. This industry does not manufacture locomotive engines, which are accounted for in the Engine and Turbine Manufacturing industry (IBISWorld report 33361a).

What's included in this industry?

Locomotives and parts (diesel and nondiesel-electric)Train and train cars (freight and passenger)Railway equipment and partsParts and accessories

Companies

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies CorpTrinity Industries Inc.Greenbrier Companies Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

CLASS I RAILROADROLLING STOCKNORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA)NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS (NTR)

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 33651 - Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

General economic activity drives industry performance. The more consumers spend on travel and the greater the level of industrial production and freight transport, the more r...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

The locomotives and parts segment is crucial for revenue stability. With ongoing investments in cleaner technologies, this area continues to meet the persistent demand for re...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024
  • International trade, including imports by country and exports by country

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
  • Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Proximity to industrial production raises the appeal for railcar manufacturers. These products are shipped around the country at a high volume.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

The major manufacturers dominate the industry. Large contracts with key rail services, leasing companies and commodity producers keep the four biggest manufacturers at the to...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Manufacturers turn their focus to sustainable practices. Tightening government restrictions and a changing climate will inevitably force changes, so getting ahead of the curv...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Trinity Industries Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Greenbrier Companies Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Trinity Industries Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Greenbrier Companies Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Government funding for transportation drives industry success. The steady influx of funds to improve aging infrastructure will raise rolling stock manufacturers' revenues.

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Manufacturing efficiencies keep profits up even as revenues drop. Thanks to improved automation and a drop in steel prices since 2021, manufacturers have managed to keep expe...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US industry in United States is $12.6bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US industry in 2024?

There are 146 businesses in the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 2.6 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing market in United States are Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp, Trinity Industries Inc. and Greenbrier Companies Inc.

What does the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US in United States include?

Locomotives and parts (diesel and nondiesel-electric) and Train and train cars (freight and passenger) are part of the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp.

How competitive is the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Train, Subway & Transit Car Manufacturing in the US industry in United States.

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Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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