The waning days of 1999 brought on an announcement that some feared would set the stage for a sequel to that shippers’ horror flick, “Nightmare on the Conrail Lines.”

Truck manufacturers are reducing production and cutting their payrolls, even before final sales figures are in for 1999, the biggest year in history for the sale of Class 8 trucks.

The track left by diesel prices in 1999 offered a wild ride, from the lowest level of a decade to the highest point seen in years, with several ups and downs along the way.

The price of diesel fuel left 1999 the way it spent most of the year – heading upward. In the process, it pushed three more carriers to implement fuel surcharges.

Diesel fuel prices finished 1999 at $1.298 a gallon after a roller-coaster ride over the year. While analysts do not expect similar wild fluctuations during 2000, they intend to keep a close watch on global crude oil output.

The proposed merger of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and the Canadian National railroads may face a major hurdle in the form of a review by federal regulators.

Diesel fuel prices finished 1999 at $1.298 a gallon after a roller-coaster ride over the year, and analysts do not expect similar wild fluctuations during 2000.

A slight drop in the price of diesel fuel marked the third straight week of declines, but costs are expected to remain close to the three-year high reached in November.

A slight drop in the price of diesel fuel marked the third straight week of declines, but costs are expected to remain close to the three-year high reached in November.

Sales of Class 8 trucks through November remained strong – on track to hit 260,000 for the year – despite reports of falling orders in October that led one manufacturer to lay off workers recently.