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NEW YORK — Railroads large and small gave investors two consistent messages — economic growth will be slow but steady, and they will continue their commitment to investing in new projects such as freight corridors.

New orders for Class 8 trucks in North America climbed sharply in August, two commercial vehicle research companies said in preliminary reports.

Descartes Systems Group said it earned $2 million, or 3 cents a share, in its second fiscal quarter, compared with $800,000, or 2 cents, a year ago.

Trade groups representing the food, shipping and trucking industries have voiced caution and opposition to a plan by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to create a potentially sweeping array of regulations governing safe food transportation practices.

Nearly 100 technicians will compete for national honors in truck maintenance next week in Raleigh, N.C., while fleet maintenance directors examine the details of the new federal CSA program, diesel particulate filters and the economic forecast for freight hauling.

WASHINGTON — Highway crash deaths involving large trucks plummeted 20% in 2009 to 3,380, the third straight year it has set a record low, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Truck and engine maker Navistar Inc. has begun shipping 2010-compliant heavy-duty engines, including more than 225 tractors with its 13-liter MaxxForce engines, the company said.

Diesel prices dipped for the fourth consecutive week, as the U.S. retail price average slipped 0.7 cent a gallon to $2.931 from the week before, the Department of Energy reported.

Procter & Gamble Co. said it has started construction on what will be Asia's largest distribution center, in Guangzhou, China.

Wholesale inventories rose in July by the most in two years, the Commerce Department said Friday.