Crossties Magazine 

RTA works to keep tie markets strong and healthy through the active and responsible promotion of the wood crosstie, product improvement engineering, communication across the rail industry network, and a steady flow of useful information published in Crossties.

RTA's mission is to enhance the potential of our members' products and be sure those products meet the market's demands. RTA is the network designed to expand tie markets domestically and globally. RTA publishes the highly regarded bimonthly magazine, Crossties, which covers all aspects of the wood crosstie industry. Membership in RTA entitles you to receive this publication at no additional charge.

Selected articles from Crossties Magazine are also available online. Below is the list of issues currently available.

Click on any issue to access a full digital version
Click here to view archived digital editions of Crossties from December 2011-present

• March/April 2025
• January/February 2025
• November/December 2024
• September/October 2024
• July/August 2024
• May/June 2024

March/April 2025
Commentary on 2025 Freight Rail Initiatives from AAR CEO Ian Jefferies
Make Plans to Attend RTA's 2025 Conference
Record Turnout for RTA's Signature Tie Grading Seminar

January/February 2025
2025 Market Outlook for Ties
EPA Approves Updated Creosote Labeling
Meet David Whitted: RTA's New President

November/December 2024
Director's Perspective: A Look Back at 2024
From the Cradle to the Grave: The Crosstie Life Cycle
2024 RTA Conference Recap: Photos & Presenter Comments

September/October 2024
Market Outlook for Ties
50 Years of Lessons from Borate Dual Treatment
2024 RTA Award Winners

July/August 2024
Grading Ties: Every Tie Has a Home
How Treated Trestles Built the American Rollercoaster
2024 RTA Field Trip Recap

May/June 2024
Mid-Year Market Update on Demand
Annual Conference Registration to Open July 8
2024 Railroad Day Recap

March/April 2024
Tie Grading Seminar Recap
The Benefits of Borate Dual Treatment
Sawmill Member Profile: Scott Bros. Lumber

January/February 2024
2024 Economic Outlook for Ties
Q&A with ASLRRA's Chuck Baker
How End-of-Life Planning and a Circular Economy Can Keep Wood Greenest
Railroad Member Profile: Amie Proudfit of Watco Companies

November/December 2023
Director's Perspective: A Look Back at RTA in 2023
RTA Broad Axe & Silver Saw Award Winner Profiles
Highlights from the 2023 Annual Symposium & Technical Conference

September/October 2023
Tie Demand Outlook
The Environmental Benefit of Creosote-Treated RR Ties
Nondestructive Evaluation of Wood RR Ties at MSU

Conference Registration Open
Field Trip Recap
Impacts of Low-Grade Markets and Growing the Market for Treated Hardwood

May/June 2023
Mid-Year Market Report
Railroad Advocacy Day
Historical Perspective

March/April 2023
Tie Grading Seminar Recap
RTA-MSU-AWPRP Update
Netterville Lumber Profile

January/February 2023
Market Outlook
Short Line Update
Clean Water Act

November/December 2022
Interview with RTA President Dave Koch
Conference Recap
Grading Rules and the Tie Industry

 
January/February 2021
Tie Forecast 
In-Person Meetings
Tier II Reporting

November/December 2020
President's Message
Conference Recap
Hardwood Federation Update 

September/October 2020 
Tie Forecast
Creosote: Prescription Part II
Conference Information

July/August 2020 
2020 RTA Conference
History, Use & Health Effects of Creosote
Clock Dating

May/June 2020

March/April 2020
Tribute to Retiring Executive Director Jim Gauntt
Board Road & Crane Mat
Grade Hardwood Lumber Market Update

January/February 2020
Disruptive 25 Years
Market Outlook
SelecTie III

November/December 2019
Search for Executive Director 
Q&A with Bill Behan
Conference Recap

September/October 2019
Tie Grading Seminar
Market Outlook
You Are Your Own Superpower

July/August 2019
Field Trip
Benefits of Creosote Treated Wood
Tie Supply Deeper Dive

May/June 2019  
Tie Supply Update
Railroad Day on the Hill
Annual Conference

March/April 2019
Market Outlook
Open Top Loading Rules
Resource Analysis

January/February 2019
Economic Forecast
ASLRRA Interview
Hardwood Federation Report

Conference Recap
Executive Update
Tie Recovery Research

September/October 2018 
Tie Grading Seminar
Market Outlook
Hardwood Federation Fly-In

Field Trip 
ASLRRA Economic Impact Report
Farm Bill

May/June 2018 
Market Update
RTA, EPA & Wood Preservation
Annual Conference

March/April 2018 
Railroad Day Recap
Hardwood Federation Update
HMA Conference Highlights

January/February 2018
Economic Forecast
ASLRRA Initiatives
Tax and Export Highlights
Special: NHSM Rule Revision

November/December 2017
Conference Recap
RTA President Q&A
Economic Update

September/October 2017
Tie Grading Seminar
Market Outlook
University of Tennessee Research

July/August 2017
Field Trip
Resilient Forests Act
WWPI/OSU Collaboration

May/June 2017
Market Update
RTA at 98, Part II
2017 Conference in San Diego, California

March/April 2017
Railroad Day on the Hill
RTA is 98 Years Young
Sawmill Focus

January/February 2017
2017 Market Outlook
Shortline Association Look Ahead
Hardwood Federation Plans

November/December 2016
Conference Recap
RTA President Q&A
Election Commentary

September/October 2016
Market Outlook
Tie Grading Seminar
Scholarships

July/August 2016
Market Update
Field Trip
Innovative RTA Apps

May/June 2016
Market Update
2016 Freight Railroad Capex Analysis
2016 Conference in Bonita Springs, Florida

March/April 2016
Northern Long-Eared Bat
Sawmill Focus
Railroad Day on the Hill

January/February 2016
2015 Market Outlook
USDA Forest/Timberland Tool
Shortline Association Look Ahead
Hardwood Federation Goals

November/December 2015
2015 Conference Speaker Recap
2015 Conference Photos
President's Q&A

September/October 2015
Market Outlook
Tie Grading Seminar

July/August 2015 
Market Update
Railroad Day On The Hill
Field Trip

May/June 2015
Market Update
Interview with the Hardwood Federation's Dana Lee Cole
2015 Conference in Tucson

March/April 2015
Capex Update
Sawmill Focus
Sustainability Statement

January/February 2015
2015 Market Outlook
New Photo Guide on Tie Defects in Development
Shortline Association Goals

November/December 2014
2014 Conference Speaker Recap
2014 Conference Photos
President's Q&A

September/October 2014
Market Outlook
Tie Grading Seminar 

July/August 2014
Hardwood Market Update
Field Trip

May/June 2014
Market Update
Hardwood Checkoff Update
2014 Conference in Orlando

March/April 2014
Railroad Day on the Hill
Capex Update
Swamp Logging & Sawmill Profile

January/February 2014
2014 Market Outlook
45G Tax Credit Extension
Hardwood Check-Off Letter

November/December 2013
2013 Conference Photos
2013 Conference Speaker Quotes
Hardwood Check-Off Information

September/October 2013
Market Outlook & Tie Surveys
Tie Grading Seminar

July/August 2013
2013 RTA Field Trip
Hardwood Market Update

May/June 2013
Market Update
2013 Conference at Lake Tahoe

March/April 2013
Railroad Day on the Hill
CAPEX Update

January/February 2013
Forecast Article
NRC Conference
ASLRRA and RTA Partner on 45G Tax Credit

November/December 2012
2012 Conference Photos
2012 Conference Speaker Quotes
Interview with RTA President Jeff Parrett

September/October 2012
2012 Tie Surveys and Market Outlook
RTA Tie Grading Seminar Report

July/August 2012
2012 Field Trip
RTA's New Interactive Website

May/June 2012
Prospects For Growth
Photo Contest Winners
94th Annual Symposium and Technical Conference

March/April 2012
Sawmill Focus-2 Cents a Tie
Railroad Day on the Hill

January/February 2012
Forecast Articles
Norfolk Southern Leads the Way
NRC Conference

November/December 2011
2011 Conference Photos
2011 Conference Speaker Quotes
Photo contest - The Treated Tie

September/October 2011
2011 Annual Tie Surveys and Market Outlook
Tie Grading Seminar Report

July/August 2011
Railroad Day on the Hill
Memberwide Field Trip
Photo Contest- The Untreated Tie

May/June 2011
Crossties Forecast: A Bump in the Road
RTA Photo Contest Tells Story of the Sawmill Operation
RTA & Tahoe...An Awesome Combination

March/April 2011
Protecting Wooden Railway Infrastructure for Next Generation
RTA's NEW Photo Contest!

January/February 2011
Market Outlook 2011
Short Lines Ready for Challenging Year
AAR Chief Addresses Railroad Growth & Challenges

November/December 2010
Branson, MO Conference Re-cap
What the Speakers Had to Say
Q&A With New RTA President, Jeff Broadfoot

September/October 2010
2010 Annual Tie Surveys and Market Outlook
Tie Grading Seminar Report

July/August 2010
Add PTC, Subtract Tax Credit
Is This Recovery?
2010 RTA Field Trip Recap

May/June 2010
Nostalgia and the Future
Tie Grading Article
Conference Article

March/April 2010
Creosote Treated Ties: An End-of-Life Tie Evaluation
Winter Field Trip to Cordele, GA

January/February 2010
Recovery and Beyond
Looking to the Future
AAR Discusses Future Prosperity of Nation's Railroads

November/December 2009
Baltimore Conference Highlights
What the Speakers Said
Tie Dual Treatments

September/October 2009
2009 Annual Tie Surveys & Market Outlook
Tie Grading Seminar Recap

July/August 2009
RTA Member-Wide Field Trip to Canada
Creosote Posts 50 Years Later
Update On Tie Market Projections

May/June 2009
Sawmill Member Drive a Success
RTA Heads to Baltimore for Annual Conference
Register Today for RTA Annual Tie Grading Seminar

March/April 2009
2009 Railroad Day on the Hill
RTA Member Drive
The Tie Grading Seminar is Coming!

January/February 2009
Market Outlook for Ties in 2009
Market Forecast for 2009
EPA Approves Continued Registration of Creosote

November/December 2008
2008 RTA Conference Story
What the Conference Presenters Said

September/October 2008
2008 Annual RTA Tie Surveys
Tie Grading Seminar in Alabama

July/August 2008
Field Trip 2008
Letter from Executive Director, Jim Gauntt
Mid-Year Outlook

May/June 2008
Effects of Fuel Prices
Tie Grading Seminar Article
Savannah Conference Article

March/April 2008
Field Trip 2008
Railroad Day on the Hill
Tie Grading 2008

January/February 2008
Forecast Article for 2008 - Jim Gauntt
Market Outlook - Fred Norrell

November/December 2007
Conference 2007 Story
What They Said Article

September/October 2007
Annual Tie Surveys 2007
Creosote Council Responds
Tie Grading 2007

July/August 2007
2007 Field Trip
Creosote Treated Wood Safe to Use
Mid-Year Forecast of New Wood Ties

May/June 2007
Borate-Creosote Electrical Impedance Update
Creosote Supply - A Year Later

March/April 2007
The End is Near...Again
Railroad Day on the Hill 2007
2007 RTA Member-Wide Field Trip

January/February 2007
Hot Today, Cooling Tomorrow
Use of Track Strength Data to Optimize Tie Replacement Requirements
Development of Comparative Crosstie Unit Costs & Value
January 2007 Forecast

November/December 2006
SelecTie Update
What They Said

September/October 2006
Tie Grading Seminar
Market Outlook
New Member Benefit

July/August 2006
June 2006 Field Trip
Midyear Market Outlook
Amburgey & Kitchens Article Re: Quality Control

May/June 2006
RTA Presentation at AWPA Conference
Interview with Dr. Patrick Moore

March/April 2006
Member Field Trip in SD & WY Areas Scheduled for June '06
2006 Railroad Day on the Hill Big Success

January/February 2006
Forecast Articles
Market Outlook

November/December 2005
What They Said
A Tipping Point for Short Lines

September/October 2005
Wood Increases Market Share RTA Foresees Even Stronger Demand for Ties
DuBois and Burke-Parsons-Bowlby Score an "A" with RTA Tie Graders
Market Outlook: Tie Purchases Achieve Historic HIgh, Models Say Look for More of the Same

July/August 2005
2005 Field Trip - "Sweet Home Alabama"
Seaman Timber Company - Celebrates Golden Year

May/June 2005
Short Lines and Tax Changes
Looking Back Ten Years by Jim Gauntt

March/April 2005
Science Fair
Borate

January/February 2005
Market Outlook 2005
No Stopping This Train

November/December 2004
Railroad Tax Credit Signed Into Law
What They Said

September/October 2004
Tied Up
Steady as She Grows

July/August 2004
Field Trip
Cradle to Grave Approach
Wood Waste Recyclers

May/June 2004
A Rocky Mountain Convention

March/April 2004
A New Era in Tie Demand
A Long Range Forecast

January/February 2004
Market Outlook 2004
New VICTOR Fastening System

November/December 2003
Convention Coverage
What They Said

September/October 2003
Tie Grading Seminar
Forestry Scholarship Winner
2003 Tie Surveys

July/August 2003
Market Report
Field Trip
Wendell Cox Address at Convention
85th Convention in Charleston, SC

May/June 2003
15 Year Exposure
Charleston

March/April 2003
Field Trip Announcement
Tie Grading Seminar

January/February 2003
Ties and Trains Keep Rolling
Research Into Pre-Treatments
Tie Report

November/December 2002
Convention
Zeta-Tech

September/October 2002
2002 Tie Surveys and Charts
Forestry Scholarship Winners
Tie Grading Seminar

July/August 2002
Convention Article 2002
Crunch Time

May/June 2002
RTA Works Hill for Railroads

March/April 2002
To Borate or Not to Borate
Forward to Wisconsin

January/February 2002
Brighter Horizons for Tie Producers

November/December 2001
One to Remember

September/October 2001
2001 Annual Tie Surveys

July/August 2001
Train, Trackwork, and Ties

May/June 2001
Growing Stronger Together

March/April 2001
Meet RTA in St. Louis

September/October 2000
Stop! Go! Proceed with ... Optimism?

July/August 2000
RTA Convention VSE

May/June 2000
RTA on Track with Engineering Seminar

January/February 2000
The Legacy of the Wood Crosstie

July/August 1999
RTA Field Trip: 600 Miles and Two States in Two Days

March/April 1999
Short Line and Regional Railroads Seek Growth

July/August 1998
A Study in Coal Tar Distillation by Richard Harris of Koppers Industries