G&W Interchange Magazine Fall 2022

From the CEO

In 2022, we focused on enhancing communications across G&W and drawing closer together as a family of 115 railroads. Our four main internal communications goals are to: 1. Reinforce priorities and strategy, 2. Communicate our performance, 3. Listen to feedback on areas for improvement and 4. Foster a work environment that makes us the employer of choice in the railroad industry.

Our Communications team produced four employee town halls in 2022. Our first town hall was in the Jacksonville office (February), followed by the Rochester office (May), then Maryland Midland Railway (July) and finally California Northern Railroad (November). We look forward to continuing these town halls in 2023, as they keep everyone apprised of G&W’s performance and strategic priorities while also offering a forum to meet together face-to-face.

Based on your feedback, we also made changes to another important employee communications tool – this very magazine. Executive interviews have been replaced with shorter Q&A pieces that spotlight leaders from all levels of our functional teams (this issue features Dan Francis from our Internal Audit group on page 10). Regional news, which was integrated into Interchange during the pandemic, has been expanded to place even greater emphasis on our railroads’ day-to-day as well as employee achievements. And a new “Did You Know?” section offers insight into unique or nuanced facts about the rail industry (see page 11 to learn what the numbers on a locomotive signify).

Finally, in 2022, we launched our inaugural employee engagement session, which divided 46 volunteer employees into four groups that explored ways we can enhance the employee experience via improved communications. Given the high caliber and practicality of the groups’ final recommendations, we will move forward with all of them (in some form) in 2023:

• Employee App: An employee app will be developed by a core team and piloted at three U.S. railroads: Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, Georgia Central Railway and Kyle

Railroad. It will include company messages, as well as localized content, and be available on personal mobile devices/tablets – primarily aiming to engage frontline employees who cannot directly access G&W communications through email or the intranet.

• Just Ask: A G&W e-mail address/inbox will be created for employees to submit questions to management at any time.

• Communications Committee: We will create a Communications Committee spearheaded by Tom Ciuba’s Communications team and comprised of both frontline and corporate support employees. The committee will assess the effectiveness of existing communications (such as Interchange, digital signage, town halls, safety communications, the intranet, etc.) and consider new ways to engage all of our employees.

• Cascading Toolkit & Elite Engagers: G&W’s Communications and Learning & Development teams will jointly develop training that will enable managers across the company to better cascade companywide messages/updates.

After the initial toolkit is developed and rolled out, we will look at designating and training volunteer employees to better ensure communications reach the ballast level.

It is my sincere hope that our current and future communications initiatives not only keep you informed of our performance and priorities, but also reinforce the importance of your role in making G&W the safest and most respected transportation service provider in the world.

Thank you for all your hard work in 2022, and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Jack Hellmann

December 9,

2022

Real estate professionals often rely on that famous catchphrase to promote a property and land a sale. Adhering to that catchphrase was also a major factor in G&W’s decision to purchase the business of the Port of Ivory in Reedley, California, in June 2021.

The Port of Ivory is now called Ivory Choice Terminal Co. (ICTC) and is strategically situated on 91 acres of land adjacent to both G&W’s San Joaquin Valley Railroad (SJVR) and Highway 99, a north-south road stretching almost the entire length of California’s 20,000-square-mile Central Valley. This ideally positions ICTC to provide rail-to-truck transload and storage services to a wide range of current and future customers.

VALUED TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER

“There is no question that ICTC’s location makes it an important and valued transportation provider to businesses in the Central Valley,” says Victor Castillo, ICTC general manager. “But location is only one aspect of ICTC’s total offering. We have connections

to Union Pacific and BNSF via SJVR, the capacity to handle more than 200 railcars and more than 500,000 square feet of covered storage. We are also cleaning and organizing the property to maximize its potential to meet customers’ needs.”

While ICTC’s business has met expectations since G&W took ownership, there have been some challenges for the 19-member ICTC team, which, in addition to Castillo, includes an administrative team, a lead transloader, two general mechanics and 12 transload laborers.

Victor Castillo, Ivory Choice Terminal (ICTC) general manager.

An Ivory Choice Terminal (ICTC) training session.

NEVER ACCEPTING THE STATUS QUO

“Our biggest challenge is never accepting the status quo,” says Castillo. “We need to continually push ourselves to improve our safety, processes and the quality of our business. We’re here for the long term, which requires building strong, long-lasting partnerships with customers in industries that span multiple states and commodities. The only way to do that is to provide exceptional service and care to each customer every day.”

RAISING THE BAR ON SAFETY

Castillo was also challenged to quickly raise the bar on safety for ICTC employees who now found themselves working for the G&W family. “We started to change the safety culture by fully immersing the ICTC team in G&W’s history and increasing their understanding of the importance of safety at G&W,” says Castillo. “We followed this up with boots-on-the-ground training with David Franklin, assistant vice president of operations for G&W’s Western Region companies, and the Western Region safety team, sharing with our employees the purpose and aspects of the G&W safety program as well as the direct role the ICTC team plays in keeping our workplace safe.”

So, how was this safety training received? “I think our focus on training has been a breath of fresh air for our employees,” says Castillo. “Everyone wants the opportunity to work in a safe environment, and that is what we are providing. Most importantly, thanks to our increased focus on safety, we have not had a reportable injury in more than 16 months.”

STRONG BUSINESS OUTLOOK

Looking ahead, Castillo predicts that ICTC’s business will be strong over the next 18 months. “We are fortunate to have a very stable customer base on which to build,” he said, “and there are many opportunities to grow our business. For example, we recently picked up a unit train a month of agricultural products from Gavilon, a major ICTC customer. And we anticipate adding two more unit trains by the end of 2022.”

ICTC, according to Castillo, is also being considered as a site for supplying all the truck stops in the Central Valley with renewable diesel fuel. In addition, the business is in the running to become a supply site for aggregates, which would be used as ballast for California’s publicly funded high-speed rail system currently under construction. n

ICTC’s Diversified Customer Base Serves It Well

Ivory Choice Terminal Co. (ICTC) has a highly diverse customer base, which serves it well in today’s uncertain domestic and global economic environment. Here is a look at some of its mainstay customers:

• Gavilon: The Omaha-based company provides agricultural products and services to the global agricultural supply chain.

• JD Heiskel: The 136-year-old grain and commodity trading business also operates livestock feed manufacturing and transloading facilities in seven U.S. states.

• Lone Star Commodities: The Lubbock, Texas-based company handles, stores and markets feed products throughout the southeastern U.S.

• Pacific Fibre Products: The company has been producing and delivering high-quality wood chip and bark products to customers in the western U.S. for more than 35 years.

• San Joaquin Valley Railroad (SJVR): For 20 years, the G&W road has transloaded up to 6,400 carloads annually of commodities ranging from chickpeas and dehydrated alfalfa to whole cottonseed.

VCTOR CASTILLO

Transloading at Ivory Choice Terminal in Reedley, California.

G&W SUPPORTS B&O RAILROAD MUSEUM EXHIBITION

“The Underground Railroad:

On Thursday, October 20, G&W team members attended a celebratory reception for the B&O Railroad Museum’s new exhibition, “The Underground Railroad: Freedom Seekers on the B&O Railroad,” in Baltimore, Maryland. The exhibition examines the role of the physical railroad in the Underground Railroad Network and gives an intimate look at the lives and journeys of 27 individuals who sought freedom from slavery along the B&O. G&W is a proud sponsor of the exhibition.

The exhibition also explores the Black travel experience during this time as well as the use of railroad terminology as a secret, coded language for Freedom Seekers. An immersive 180-degree video experience sharing the stories of Henry “Box” Brown and William and Ellen Craft illustrates their journeys through Mount Clare Station, the oldest surviving building on the museum’s historic campus. Mount Clare Station has been designated a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site by the National Park Service.

The reception featured a moving performance by Howard University’s Afro Blue Ensemble and Department of Music, who sang Henry “Box” Brown’s song, “Escape from Slavery,” which the group adapted in collaboration with the museum and is included as part of the immersive experience in the exhibition. Henry “Box” Brown was a slave from Virginia who escaped to freedom by arranging to have himself mailed in a 3 ft x 2.67 ft x 2 ft wooden crate to abolitionists in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brown remained still during the 27-hour journey, with only a bladder of water and short biscuits to sustain himself. The box was transported by wagon, railroad, steamboat, wagon again, railroad, ferry, railroad and, finally, delivery wagon.

The reception also featured a food tasting of “freedom cake” and “short” biscuits, interpreted by Nancy Siegel, professor of art history and culinary history at Towson University.

In addition to the new exhibition, the B&O Railroad Museum contains a wealth of history about railroading in America. Per its website, it “possesses the oldest and most comprehensive railroad collections in the world. Dating from the beginning of American railroading, the collection contains locomotives and rolling stock, historic buildings and small objects that document the impact of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) on the growth and development of early railroading and cover almost every aspect of an industry that left a permanent mark on the folklore and culture of America.” n

Freedom Seekers on the B&O Railroad”

Below: Howard University’s Afro Blue Ensemble and Department of Music sang Henry “Box” Brown’s song, which the group adapted in collaboration with the museum and is included as part of the immersive experience in the exhibition.

G&W group photo in front of Mount Clare Station. From left: Kathi Maness, vice president of diversity, equity & inclusion; Kay Maier, corporate recruiter; Joe Arbona, assistant vice president of government affairs; Jon Rudman, director of sales & marketing; and Laurie Nivison, director of communications.

Left: Mount Clare Station and the roundhouse at the B&O Museum.

Aggregates: Low-Tech Products That Make the World Better

It’s hard to dispute the fact that many high-tech products make the world a better place. It’s easy to forget, however, that decidedly low-tech products can also make their mark in today’s world. Take, for example, aggregates, which certainly lack the luster of most high-tech creations. Aggregates are just stones, after all. But they provide the foundation for the roads and bridges on which we drive and the homes and offices in which we live and work, among other things.

Aggregates are an important commodity for G&W as well. Among the roads leading the way in hauling aggregates are the Dallas, Garland & Northeastern (DGNO) and Providence and Worcester (PW) railroads.

NATURALLY OCCURRING RAW MATERIALS

Aggregates are naturally occurring raw materials, including gravel and crushed stone, that are extracted from pits and quarries in each U.S. state and nearly 75% of the nation’s counties. When used with a binding medium, such as water or cement, they form compound materials, including asphalt, concrete and Portland cement.

DGNO’s work for Lattimore Materials, a concrete and aggregate producer located in northern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma – now known as Holcim-Sor – dates to 1999. The local economy was booming at the time – with increasing

demand for aggregates to build highways, homes, shopping malls, schools and the like. Lattimore, in need of a more effective mode of transportation than trucking to meet the growing demand for its products, turned to DGNO to deliver railcars of crushed limestone to its ready-mix plant in Plano, Texas, which, at the time, was solely a truck-served facility.

From that starting point, the relationship between Lattimore and DGNO grew quickly. Between 2000 and 2005, Lattimore built two new rail-served aggregate transload/ready-mix terminals, both of which are serviced by DGNO.

REMARKABLE RAILCAR GROWTH

“Those terminals have produced remarkable railcar growth for DGNO to this day,” says Maureen Byrne, director of sales and marketing for DGNO and other G&W Southern Region railroads. “Currently, Holcim’s aggregate shipments with DGNO total between 15,000 and 20,000 carloads annually, representing a significant portion of the road’s business.”

Byrne sees every indication that DGNO’s partnership with Holcim will continue to grow in the coming years. “For one thing,” she says, “crushed stone production was at its highest level in 14 years in 2021 and has continued to grow in 2022, which is a very positive sign. More importantly, the oncein-a-generation $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill, which includes $110 billion in new spending on roads and bridges, should generate growth in this sector for years to come.”

SERVICE AND SAFETY ARE KEY

There are two keys to DGNO building its business with Holcim, according to Joe Newsom, the railroad’s assistant general manager.

The first is to continue providing outstanding service. “The DGNO team understands the importance of consistently providing a high level of service to Holcim,” says Newsom. “We have established a service design that is reliable and meets Holcim’s needs while remaining flexible for projected future growth.”

The second is to continue ensuring outstanding safety performance. “DGNO employees work in Holcim’s facility, so our safety ethic affects their employees, too,” says Byrne. “It gives Holcim confidence in DGNO – not only from a safety perspective but in all areas of our business relationship.”

Dallas, Garland & Northeastern Railroad (DGNO) in Dallas, Texas.

SHUTTERSTOCK

MAINSTAY BUSINESS FOR PW

Since 1990, Providence and Worcester Railroad (PW) has been doing business with Tilcon Connecticut, a century-old construction and aggregates company. In 2021, PW hauled approximately 8,500 carloads of aggregates from Tilcon’s quarries in Wallingford and Branford, Connecticut, to customers.

“Tilcon is PW’s single largest shipper, and their business is extremely important to us,” says Ed Foley, assistant vice president of sales and marketing for G&W’s Northern Region railroads. “At PW, we understand that our solid relationship with Tilcon is based on working safely, focusing on doing our jobs well, exceeding customer expectations and delivering effective communication. It truly is a relationship that is based on mutual respect and trust, and we take that very seriously.”

NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

That focus on excellence in customer relations is paying dividends for PW. “We are in the process of setting up a third-party transload on the site of a mothballed quarry operation in Danielson, Connecticut, that Tilson owns,” says Foley. “A containerized waste-to-rail project with Arrowhead Environmental Partners is underway there and is scheduled to be operational in the second quarter of 2023. When complete, it will deliver 400 carloads of new business annually to PW.”

The linchpin of the 32-year relationship between Tilcon and PW has been and continues to be a laser focus on safety. “Tilcon is very much vested in the health and wellbeing of its employees, as is PW,” says Foley. “Our goal every day is to ensure that we are operating safely at all Tilcon quarries and receiving yards.” n

When Aggregates Become More Than Stones

Aggregates shape the world in which we live. Here are some construction industry statistics that tell the story of the importance of aggregates to society today:

n On average, 38,000 tons of aggregates are necessary to construct one mile of interstate highway.

n Construction of the average home requires 400 tons of aggregates.

n Construction of the average school or hospital requires 15,000 tons of aggregates.

“ The once-in-a-generation $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill, which includes $110 billion in new spending on roads and bridges, should generate growth in this sector for years to come. ”

— Maureen Byrne, director of sales and marketing for DGNO and other G&W Southern Region railroads.

Providence and Worcester Railroad (PW) in Wallingford, Connecticut.

SHUTTERSTOCK BY BANNAFARSAI_STOCK

G&W’s 2022 Safety Month kicked off on June 1 with a video from G&W’s President, Michael Miller. In the video, Miller highlighted the month’s events, including the recognition of over 360 individuals who have worked more than 20 years without a reportable injury as well as 49 railroads that have been injury-free for more than five years.

“These safety milestones are the direct result of team members’ individual commitment to working safely every single day,” Miller said. “I would like to personally thank them and also challenge the rest of our team to embrace that same level of safety commitment.”

The team members and railroads were each recognized at events across North America, whether it was a catered breakfast, cookout/BBQ or outing to a ball game. Members of G&W’s senior management team traveled to many of the events throughout the month to spend time with colleagues and present gifts to those being recognized for their commitment to safety.

Thank you to all G&W team members for your continued commitment to safety each day.

G&W Celebrates 2022 Safety Month

ARZC

Western Region

Northern Region

ARZC

CSO

MMID PW

RCPE

RCPE

Safety Month Contest Garners Robust Response

More than 40 children and grandchildren of G&W subsidiary employees responded to a call for entries for G&W’s annual Safety Month Contest.

This year’s contest challenged participants to answer the question, “How can safe railroads make safer communities?” through the submission of artwork, a two-minute video or a one-page essay.

“This annual contest is a great way to continue safety conversations outside the workplace, truly allowing safety to remain at the forefront of everything we do,” G&W President Michael Miller said. The winning entries included two videos and poster art. In the age 3-7 category, Aurabella Gooch’s “Our Part” video was the winner. Aurabella is the daughter of Jared Gooch (Western Region Marketing, GRSI). The winning video in the age 8-12 category was “Train, Truck, Car,” by brothers Tom and Will Atkins, sons of Ryan Atkins (GRSI). In the age 13-17 category, Ava Gooch’s “Don’t Gamble with Your Safety” poster (shown above) was the winner. Ava is also the daughter of Jared Gooch.

Each category received a different prize: for ages 3-7, Amazon Fire HD for Kids; ages 8-12, Apple iPad Mini; ages 13-17, Microsoft Surface Laptop 4.

Congratulations to the winners of the Safety Contest!

Aurabella Gooch

The winning poster art in the age 13-17 category was by Ava Gooch.

Tom and Will Atkins

NECR

BPRR

AKMD

AKMD

KRR

Southern Region

Dan Francis, Director of Internal Audit

In the simplest terms, my job is to…

Provide independent, objective analysis and consulting services around the company’s processes and procedures. As a department, we work directly with senior leadership and the Audit Committee to develop a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of governance, risk management and control processes to accomplish company objectives.

I can make a customer’s day by… Although I don’t work directly with what most define as a “customer,” being a business resource, assisting in identifying areas of improvement, and providing recommendations to enhance process efficiency and effectiveness to fellow colleagues is a priority within my role.

The most impactful project

I’ve worked on so far was/is…

The implementation of Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) process controls within the Freightliner entities (U.K., Poland, Netherlands and former Australia operations). Although the project had its challenges, it was rewarding, educational and the key to developing the foundation of business relationships that continue to evolve today.

My favorite G&W location is…

Warsaw, Poland. The people, rich history, culture, food and overall experience always exceed expectations.

Outside of work, my favorite thing to do is…

Sports has always been a passion of mine growing up and playing at the collegiate level. Most of my time outside of work is enjoyed watching my two children play in youth sports and coaching my son’s baseball teams. Any other free time is spent playing golf, slow-pitch softball, traveling or hanging out with family and friends. I am also an avid Buffalo Bills fan. Go Bills!

My favorite food is…

A Ferrari Pizza Bar woodfired pepperoni and mushroom pizza and an order of BBQ chicken wings (extra sauce) from the original Duff’s restaurant in Buffalo, New York! n

Locomotive Numbers

If you guessed horsepower of the locomotive, you’re correct!

According to Andy Chunko, G&W senior vice president of operations support, “The numbers (for example 1500 to 1599) stand for the horsepower of the unit. So, the 1500 series would be assigned to units with 1500HP (SW1500). The 2000 series would be units (GP38-2) that have 2000HP and so on.”

Take a look at the photos to determine the horsepower of each locomotive. For example, in the top photo, each locomotive in this group is in the 3000 series, so they are all 3000 horsepower. n

Number of veterans (2020): 290,648

State bird: Black-capped chickadee

State insect: Two-spotted lady beetle (aka ladybug)

State flower: Mayflower

Eleven children of U.S.-based G&W employees are attending college this fall with scholarships awarded by G&W.

Each of the three regions has three recipients, while two recipients are awarded from the corporate division.

The merit-based scholarship program was started in 1999, according to Emily Ferrell, director of corporate benefits.

Each four-year scholarship is worth $5,000 per year and is distributed each semester to the students. Students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average to continue receiving the award.

“We have had many graduates since we started the program,” Ferrell says. “We have received many thank you letters and continued correspondence from our graduates.”

The program is for graduating high school students. Ferrell said announcements are made each spring as they roll out the program. Applications are typically due by Memorial Day, and winners are announced in July.

2022 Merit Scholarship Awards

CORPORATE SCHOLARSHIPS

JERVIS LANGDON JR.:

GEORGE R. WILLIAMS:

Student: Julia Peery Allyson Burnett

Parents: Jason Peery Bob & Stacey Burnett Company: Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, Inc. Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, Inc. School: University of Florida Springfield College Major: Psychology Physician Assistant

NORTHERN REGION SCHOLARSHIPS

BILL PUTNEY:

MORTIMER B. FULLER III:

Student: Julia Weaver Grace Shepard Parents: Mike & Shirley Weaver Bridget & Jeff Shepard Company: Ohio Central Railroad Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, Inc. School: Kent State Tuscarawas University of Cincinnati Major: Early Childhood Education Organizational Leadership

SOUTHERN REGION SCHOLARSHIPS

EDWARD L. FULLER: FRANCES A. FULLER:

Student: Clara Martin

Jon Isaac III

Parents: Jimmy & Valarie Martin Jeffrey & Jannet Jackson Company: Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad Dallas, Garland & Northeastern Railroad School: University of Arkansas University of North Texas Major: Biology Mathematics

WESTERN REGION SCHOLARSHIPS

MORTIMER B. FULLER JR.:

PHILIP J. RINGO:

Student: McCoy Peterson Ryah Klima Parents: Michael & Tanya Peterson Ryan Klima Company: Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad Kyle Railroad School: Mitchell Technical College Cloud County Community College Major: Power Line Construction and Maintenance Communications

ROBERT M. MELZER SCHOLARSHIP

Student: Margaret Mann

Parents: Derick & Jennifer Mann Company: Indiana & Ohio Railway School: Siena Heights University Major: Chemistry

Student: Caroline Hudgins

JAMES W. BENZ SCHOLARSHIP

Parents: Mark & Denise Hudgins Company: Eastern Alabama Railway School: Troy University Major: Nursing

JOHN M. RANDOLPH SCHOLARSHIP

Student: Felicity Droke

Parents: Ryan Droke Company: Portland & Western Railroad School: Corban University

Major: Christian Ministry

We are very pleased to announce the following winners of G&W’s

New England Central Railroad's (NECR) 60-mile stretch across Massachusetts was selected for upgrade to 286,000-pound capacity via Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant funds. The final stretch of that project was completed at the end of October, despite nationwide supply chain delays.

Brett Briggs, director of engineering for NECR, Connecticut Southern Railroad (CSO) and The Massena Terminal Railroad (MSTR), credits Bob Richardson, assistant general manager and trainmaster for NECR, with understanding both the big picture and the small details to help the project succeed.

“We completely tore apart the yard in Palmer, Massachusetts, and replaced every turnout,” says Briggs.

“Bob moved the schedule around and did what was needed to get the contractors the time they required.”

Richardson is the most senior employee at NECR and has been in management for decades.

“Bob has wisdom gained through years of experience,” says Briggs. “He knows the crews, the trains, the customers and the terrain. He is good at coming up with creative ways to make things happen.”

Briggs noted that all departments have worked very well together during the construction phase of the project that has taken the better part of a year. This is the final track section within the 320-mile NECR freight rail corridor from New London, Connecticut, to St. Albans, Vermont, that needed to be brought up to standard.

“It will be very exciting to be able to upgrade the speed through the corridor,” says Briggs. “It will become a far more efficient part of our rail network.”

NECR

VINTON EXPLORES NEW JOURNEY ON FAMILIAR PATH

New England Central Railroad’s (NECR) Roxbury Subdivision has been Roadmaster Jason Vinton’s office for the better part of his quarter-century career.

He takes an ownership attitude toward his territory and credits his father, who worked on the same railroad for 32 years, with instilling a strong work ethic and sense of duty.

Vinton maintains the same sense of responsibility to safety as he did as a track inspector, his most recent role before being promoted in March. With lots of Amtrak traffic, inspections aren’t something he takes lightly.

“I want to make sure passengers get from point A to B safely,” says Vinton.

He now leads a team of eight, most of whom are longtime coworkers. Equipment Operator Matt Page has been a teammate for two decades; he’s someone Vinton can confer with daily.

“He’s taught me quite a bit,” he says.

Regardless of season, the action on his territory never stops, and Mother Nature is always a force to contend with. Washouts and flooding aren’t uncommon thanks to the region’s rivers; plugged culverts can also cause problems, and the arrival of autumn means preparation of snow removal machines and clearing out switches before the snow falls.

Performing curve patches, installing continuous welded rail and replacing crossings also are part of his ongoing duties.

Page appreciates executing the work instead of mandating it.

Northern Region

C3RS BEARS FRUIT FOR BPRR AS EXPANSION MULLED

After a successful three-year pilot at Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad (BPRR), a national safety program is being considered for expansion to other G&W railroads.

The CONFIDENTIAL CLOSE CALL REPORTING SYSTEM (C3RS)* has been instituted throughout the nation to mitigate the fear of discipline or unwanted consequence, encouraging employees to report safety issues anonymously. Ultimately, the reports are scrubbed of identifying characteristics and relayed to a peer review team (PRT) comprising railroad leadership and craftsmen, including local union chairmen.

BPRR remains the only G&W railroad using C3RS, but given its “huge success,” it’s ripe for expansion, says Brian Stussie, assistant vice president of operations for G&W’s Northern Region. The former BPRR general manager helped pioneer C3RS’s use, serving on its PRT until July.

“It was a springboard that was instrumental in getting additional buy-in,” says Stussie, noting he does not believe C3RS would have been successful without teamwork. “It rejuvenated the program. It was a lot of hard work, and there’s a lot to be proud of.”

He cites numerous safety wins for the team, including enhanced visual controls for speed restrictions. Stussie praises Director of Engineering Rich Pavetto with leading the charge to eliminate defects, which reduced line items on daily operating briefings (DOB) by half.

*The Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) is a partnership between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in conjunction with participating railroad carriers and labor organizations.

BPRR’S TEAM EFFORT TO SHIP OVERSIZED NACELLE CARS 145 MILES

Originally destined for the Port of Buffalo, nacelles (or casings that will contain the generator, shafts and other components on a wind turbine) from Denmark arrived on the Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad (BPRR) on August 16 via CSX in Erie, Pennsylvania. Measuring about 20 feet tall and 14 feet wide, the eight-axle articulated railcars carrying the components overhung the rail by six feet on each side. To put that into perspective, the average railcar only overhangs three feet from each side of the rail. Due to special circumstances with close clearances, this move took a unified, cross-functional team of people to safely transport and deliver the cargo 145 miles from Erie to DuBois, Pennsylvania.

Engineer Luke Anderson and Conductor Dustin Lewis, tasked with safe train handling, had Mechanic Sean Wright inspecting and shadowing the train for the duration of the move. Trainmaster Derek Whitcomb and Assistant General Manager

Justin Wojtowicz traded the shadowing and crew accompaniment duties.

BPRR’s Director of Engineering Rich Pavetto, along with Track Foreman Ron Buell, positioned themselves ahead of the movement for the twoday travel period, cutting back trees and double-checking various locations for clearance. Trackman Todd Swarm accompanied the train crew with additional tools to handle any low foliage locations that couldn’t be reached from a hi-rail truck.

Prior to arrival into Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania, the regular local train crew, Engineer Taylor Brinker and Conductor Mike Clark, moved cars out of adjacent tracks to accommodate the need for additional clearance through town. Despite receiving full clearance permissions through that area, Wojtowicz leaned on his experience as a BPRR conductor and raised his eyebrows with serious concern regarding a retaining wall that had been there for several years. After getting eyes and a measuring tape on the location in question, the

wall was found to be three inches too close for the nacelle cars to clear.

Faced with this serious under-clearance and oversight from old clearance maps, Pavetto’s team, Roadmaster Corey Appleby with Trackman Tony Violette, Machine Operator Al Gausman, and Foreman Jeff Kimmick, suggested the BPRR main line be moved over. The main line was moved six inches to accommodate this special high-wide shipment to ensure the nacelle cars would not impact the retaining wall.

As the train proceeded through Johnsonburg, the speed was reduced to less than three miles per hour on approach of that retaining wall. When the train cleared the wall with three inches to spare, the team took a deep breath and shifted their gaze to the Highway 219 overpass, which wasn’t as close a clearance but still required monitoring.

“The BPRR is not accustomed to handling dimensional loads, especially of this magnitude,” said

After having to slow through Waterford to pass some MOW equipment, the Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad train with a high and wide load of wind turbine nacelles resumed normal track speed as it cruised through farmland outside Union City, Pennsylvania.

Jarrod Hutcheson, BPRR general manager at that time. “The entire team pulled together to ensure the shipment moved safely from origin to destination, which required preplanning, multiple inspections throughout the route and meticulous attention to detail through the entire process. This is just another accomplishment by the world-class team that operates the railroad safely day in and day out.”

The team expressed relief when the shipment was delivered to DuBois on August 17. Crisis and severe damage was averted with all the additional attention given to ensure safe arrival across all departments. Final assembly of the nacelle components will be in Central Pennsylvania to help provide some of the cleanest and greenest energy in the area.

The deepest gratitude to all those who invested extra time and attention to making this move happen. — Crystal Blasius

JOSEPH CERMAK

Northern Region

CUOH to Serve New Behr Paint Facility in Ohio

The

The

The

Groundbreaking of the new facility earlier this year.

OHCR EXPANDS YARD IN NEWARK, OHIO

Ohio Central Railroad (OHCR) is expanding its yard in Newark, Ohio, by adding a pair of 6,500-foot tracks.

Years of solid business growth, most notably a surge of traffic for stone products, made the expansion necessary, says General Manager Tim Slusser.

“Almost all of our interchange freight comes in through Newark; it’s our classification yard,” he says. “Over the past three years, we have outgrown it.”

The project was launched in late summer on land already owned by OHCR and will not affect existing traffic. When complete, more than two additional miles of jointed rail will provide much-needed capacity.

Slusser credits OHCR’s marketing, engineering and financial teams for working together effectively. He also thanks Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad (BPRR) for supplying some of the rail being used.

On June 8, Behr Process Corporation broke ground for a new facility in Heath, Ohio, which will be served by G&W’s Columbus and Ohio River Rail Road (CUOH). Behr, the second largest paint company in the U.S., is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2022. Their paint is distributed through Home Depot stores nationwide.

company is building a 325,000-square-foot rail-served manufacturing and distribution facility where they will receive inbound raw materials in tank cars. Completion of the new site is anticipated in spring 2023, with production expected to ramp up in third quarter 2023.

facility is the largest capital project in Behr’s history, with an approximate investment of $80 million. The ability to receive rail was an important part of their site location decision.

facility will be located in the Newark – Heath – Licking County Port Authority Industrial Park, which currently has other rail-served customers.

OHCR’s Newark Yard

ARZC Welcomes New GE Locomotives

As part of its plan to convert its fleet from Electromotive to General Electric locomotives, Arizona & California Railroad (ARZC) last spring took possession of four new Tier 1 GE locomotives and painted them in G&W colors.

In late summer, ARZC Mechanical employees and representatives from Wabtec were updating systems and computers to Positive Train Control (PTC) compliance. The new units were expected to be ready for general use by the end of October. ARZC General Manager Kevin Jones looks forward to the savings and efficiency from these locomotives.

“They’ll give us the capability of running on BNSF lines, in PTC territory,” says Jones.

New Tier 1 locomotives join the ARZC fleet.

ARZC employees and Wabtec representatives team up to prepare the new locomotives.

Western Region

TOP-LEVEL LEADERSHIP KEEPS KYLE ON EVEN KEEL

Stable leadership has fueled four decades of successful growth in the nation’s heartland for Kyle Railroad (KYLE). Farm commodities, especially dryland grain, are sold and stored year-round, providing the major source of carloads for KYLE, which has come a long way since February 15, 1982, when it interchanged its first freight cars at Courtland, Kansas.

Most of its management team has worked together more than a quarter century, which not only makes for a strong family atmosphere but reinforces a sense of dependability to its customers, who know it’s likely they’ll be working with the same people years from now.

“We have the most experienced, qualified people,” says Roadmaster Tracy Atchison (36 years at KYLE). “Our experience says a lot. There aren’t too many places where the shop manager has 30 years, the AGM, the office manager, the roadmasters have 30 years – the list goes on.”

Treating people right and building solid infrastructure combine to create trust and reliability, says Office Manager Sonja Kinter (32 years).

Marketing and Sales Manager Deb Alexander (27 years) believes a customer-first mindset motivates every employee.

“Whether it is a 100-car spot or one-car spot, we treat everyone the same,” she says. “It’s a huge thing for our customers to get their products to the mills.”

UGAITAFA ACHIEVES STABILITY, AIMS FOR GROWTH AT SJVR

With a year of stability behind him, Jesse Ugaitafa is optimistic about opportunities for growth at San Joaquin Valley Railroad (SJVR). When Ugaitafa took over as general manager in September 2021, SJVR was down about 20 employees. In less than a year, the railroad was fully staffed.

“I think the area is a very fertile area for new business developments,” he says. “The renewable diesel opportunities are abundant here, and we have a big focus on that moving forward.”

Other priorities are employee security and safety, including safeguarding against vandalism.

The 10-year G&W veteran likes the company’s focus on safety and appreciates its overall corporate culture.

Ugaitafa came to SJVR from Portland & Western Railroad (PNWR), where he served as assistant general manager for about a year. Prior to that, he was Director of Operations for Rail Link in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Previously, he spent eight years in the U.S. Army as an intelligence officer, based much of that time in Fort Lewis, Washington.

Kyle Railroad leadership from left are Trainmaster Matt Blad, Roadmaster Tracy Atchison, Office Manager Sonja Kinter, Trainmaster Chuck Fite, General Manager Marv Lockman, Director of Engineering and Maintenance of Way Tim Schweitzer, Marketing and Sales Manager Deb Alexander, Assistant General Manager Gary Niblock and Mechanical Manager Mike Runnion.

AMAZING

TRAINS’

Ryan Hernandez has ramped up his participation in Operation Lifesaver (OL) and is looking to do even more.

Since 2014, Hernandez, assistant roadmaster at Arizona Eastern Railway (AZER), has been an OL volunteer, teaching the public about the potential risk of being careless at rail grade crossings. Every time he makes an appearance, he’s reminded about the importance of his work. He was motivated to become involved when, as a track inspector, he was distressed at how many people he saw drive around the flashing lights of crossing gates.

“It is amazing how much the public doesn’t know about trains,” Hernandez says. “Everyone is always amazed about how long trains take to come to a stop. We explain to them why they shouldn’t go around gates when they are down and you don’t see a train. We also explain how to read and use the Emergency Notification Sign.”

Along with Track Inspector Bobby Maldonado, Hernandez makes presentations at schools, businesses and community festivals. Although COVID-19 cancelled many of those events in 2020 and 2021, they resumed their OL involvement this year and looked forward to the annual SalsaFest in Safford, Arizona, where they hoped to book future appearances.

“Lately it has been hard, but our goal is to get a presentation and a community event each month,” says Hernandez. “It is something I would like to make happen.”

At left: AZER Assistant Roadmaster Ryan Hernandez uses video to help make his point for rail safety at an elementary school in Pima, Arizona.

AZER Assistant Roadmaster Ryan Hernandez explains in OL presentations how to read and use the Emergency Notification Sign.

Above: From left, Assistant Roadmaster Ryan Hernandez and Track Inspector Bobby Maldonado man the Operation Lifesaver booth at SalsaFest 2021.

‘IT’S

HOW MUCH THE PUBLIC DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT

Western Region

NICHOLS FINISHES GRANDFATHER’S LAST RIDE

On October 12, Portland & Western Railroad (PNWR) Locomotive Engineer Ken Nichols concluded his 45-plus year career in a seemingly unusual place, Dresden, Kansas, a point nearly 1,500 miles from his normal on-duty location in Oregon.

Ken and his brother, Mike, a railroad retiree with 43 years of service, had traveled to northwest Kansas to celebrate Ken’s retirement and simultaneously honor their grandfather, William Henry Nichols, a locomotive engineer who died on June 2, 1941, when the No. 6 Train derailed at 4:40 a.m. on a washed out section of the Rock Island Line.

On Ken’s last day, he and his brother climbed aboard a Kyle Railroad (KYLE) locomotive stopped 6 miles east of Dresden, where their grandfather was fatally injured decades ago, and then completed his run to Phillipsburg, Kansas, roughly 60 miles away.

The sons of 37-year railroader Kenny Nichols devised the idea on the 80th anniversary of their grandfather’s death, as they visited the Sunflower State in 2021 to research their industrial patriarch’s career. Ken says, “On a whim, we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if I could finish his last trip on my last trip?’”

To inquire about the feasibility, Ken reached out to KYLE General Manager Marv Lockman and Assistant General Manager Gary Niblock, who helped make the arrangements.

Born in Albany, California, Ken became a Southern Pacific switchman on April 27, 1977. Marking up as a locomotive engineer in May 1981, Ken moved to the Portland area nine years later to work for the PNWR, which was acquired by G&W in 1993.

Ken described his final run as a moving experience.

“I looked out the window, saw the crop-filled fields and thought ‘This is the exact same view my grandfather had 80 years ago,’” says Ken, who notes his grandfather’s pocket watch also made the journey. “My grandfather had carried it with him over those tracks a number of times; however, when the accident occurred, it was being repaired at a jewelry shop in Goodland.”

After the jeweler returned the timepiece to Ken and Mike’s grandmother, she gifted it to their dad, who carried it until he retired and handed it on to them.

Ken says he and his family, which includes his wife, Julie Ann, and their four daughters, are eternally grateful to G&W, KYLE and PNWR for allowing him to make his last trip on that particular stretch of track.

“I want to thank everyone who helped make this happen for Mike and me,” says Ken. “It was a special experience, and now we can say we finished our grandfather’s last run.”

Ken and his brother, Mike Nichols, arrive at Dresden, Kansas.

Ken Nichols and his paternal grandfather, William Henry Nichols.

The pocket watch of Ken Nichols’ grandfather.

SENATOR

South Dakota U.S. Senator John Thune visited an employee recognition cookout at the Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad (RCPE) in Huron on Monday, August 22. Thune spoke to employees and had a brief tour of RCPE’s locomotive shop.

The event also included remarks from G&W CEO Jack Hellmann and was attended by six state and local officials and seven customers from four different companies served by RCPE.

JOHN THUNE VISITS

RCPE

Thune (top row, fourth from left) poses with a group of RCPE employees, customers and other RCPE stakeholders.

Western Region

PALUCH’S INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY ‘HARD TO REPLACE’

Tim Paluch saw the Engineering Department from many different angles during his time with the railroad.

Paluch retired on October 3, completing a career that began in 1986 with Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad (DME), where he worked as a track laborer and a bridge laborer. He advanced to track inspector and then to manager of bridges and structures for Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad (RCPE) when it acquired the west end of DME in 2014.

Ruckdaschel,

Working reportable injury-free throughout his 36-year career has been a highlight for the versatile Paluch, who will be “a tough one to replace,” says RCPE General Manager Rod Wiseman. “He’s a great coworker, an all-around good person and a good friend,” Wiseman says, noting that he knows so much about track and bridges. “He’s got an amazing memory. He can’t remember what he had for breakfast; but if you ask him about a bridge 100 miles away that he worked on several years ago, he could tell you everything about it.”

In his time off, Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad (RCPE) Track Inspector Gerald Schied collects aluminum cans and scrap metal. He turns them in to a recycling center to benefit his favorite nonprofit, Make-A-Wish Foundation. The 45-year railroad employee has raised more than $100,000 during his lifetime.

On June 29, when Schied received a safety award, he was further honored when G&W North American Operations President Michael Miller presented a $5,000 check to regional Make-A-Wish President and CEO Sue Salter. Salter gave a short speech on Schied’s behalf, highlighting what he has done for terminally ill children and their families in South Dakota.

From left are G&W President Michael Miller, RCPE Track Inspector Gerald Schied, Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana President & CEO Sue Salter and RCPE General Manager Rod Wiseman.

Left: Surfacing crew at Wall, South Dakota, includes (front to back) Tim Paluch, back-up tamper operator; Ivan Loof, machine operator; Jim Lehman, regulator operator; and Earl

foreman. Above: Manager of Bridges & Structures Tim Paluch.

MOMENTUM INCREASES IN RES PRODUCTIVITY, SERVICE

After a banner year in 2021, Railroad Engineering Services (RES) tie and surfacing teams are following up with an even better year.

The plan was to install nearly 490,000 ties in 2022; and at the halfway point, RES was on target to reach that goal. Director of Planning and Support Ann Waters points to an 8% productivity increase year over year, as well as an increasing trend toward finishing projects early and completing additional unscheduled work. For example, on Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad’s (RCPE) PRC Subdivision, a team finished one day early and was able to use the available time to support installation of gaging ties in a nearby curve, which eliminated the need for additional contracted services.

Waters says that there is much more to like about this year’s overall progress, including a teamwork mindset that’s permeating RES.

“Knowing that productivity is only one piece of the puzzle, we’ve kept a high level of focus on customer satisfaction by supporting legacy tie pickup, surfacing all turnouts and making improvements to quality control,” says Waters. “Overall, regional feedback has been positive; and, in turn, it has supported our successful teamwork approach.”

Talented and dedicated employees are moving up through the RES ranks, as the three tie and surfacing crews have appointed new assistant managers of production.

Terrell Jones, Mark Cole and Kevin Pennington are serving TS-1, TS-2 and TS-3, respectively, in their new roles. All were promoted after proving themselves as machine operators.

Jones has worked for all three crews, having moved to TS-1 after working with the other two.

“He’s got a lot to offer,” says Director of Safety Sam Jones. “He does a good job working with everyone, and he communicates well with management.”

A TS-2 holdover from 2021, Cole has been with RES for more than five years.

“He was one of our go-to people before,” says TS-2 Manager of Production Will Hinnant. “When he was the operator, he always was willing to do a little bit extra. He’s carried that on into his role as assistant.”

Pennington has been with TS-3 for three years, so his familiarity with the team is a strength, says Manager of Production Larry Cork. “He assists me with anything extra that we need to do, keeping everyone hydrated, or having right equipment at the right time. He also fills in when people go on vacations, operating equipment.”

MECHANIC AUSTIN HELPS TS-2

STAY ON SCHEDULE

Maintaining a reliable fleet of machinery to keep track repairs rolling is the name of the game for Johnny Austin, who became TS-2’s mechanic this year.

Austin’s job performance makes a big difference, according to TS-2 Manager of Production Will Hinnant.

“Austin is doing an awesome job, and I attribute a lot of our success to him,” says Hinnant. “He’s willing to stay a little late to get things fixed so we’re ready for the next day. Our machine reliability has picked up a lot since we added him to the team.”

Austin, who came to G&W from Union Pacific, is known for putting in the time as needed to keep his machines running.

In August, Austin worked extra days while the rest of the crew was off duty. Upon their return, this enabled the entire project to be wrapped up earlier than scheduled, according to Director of Work Equipment Tim Mittan.

Machine Operator Gary Dykes helps G&W maintain its reputation for safety and excellent customer service.

TIE AND SURFACING CREWS

TIE AND SURFACING TEAM

ASSISTANT MANAGERS JONES, COLE, PENNINGTON PROMOTED FROM THE RANKS

Kevin Pennington

Above: Mark Cole Not shown, Terrell Jones

Engineering Services

RES Scores Breakthrough on Steel Conversion Bridge Project

In a historic first, several Railroad Engineering Services (RES) teams worked together to replace an all-timber substructure and superstructure bridge with steel spans, bearing plates and a steel deck. In the process, they learned a lot about their own capabilities.

The caps-up steel conversion was done for Kyle Railroad’s (KYLE) Yuma Subdivision, a 140-foot, 11-span bridge completed in the allotted 13 days.

This project required new construction techniques that many employees had never been exposed to, such as structural steel lifting, fit up and assembly; structural welding; and constructing specifically to the engineered drawings, according to Assistant Chief Engineer-Bridge Construction Philip Ogram, who attributes most of the credit to the surveying, drafting and concrete cap layout that went into the project. Jason Gantt, project manager for RES bridge crews, led the surveying and engineering design efforts for the project and was on-site with Foreman Glenn Nash for the foundation layout and cap installation. No field modifications were required on-site.

The project required in-depth and frequent communication among the bridge gang, KYLE operations team, the design and purchasing teams in Jacksonville, Florida, regional management and RES management. Everyone had to provide input and then follow through on the plan to ensure success.

“Without that, this project would not have been accomplished on time, under budget and without incident,” says Ben Habig, director of bridges and structures. “This is a huge success for us as a company to show that we can perform large-scale capital improvements at a cost savings compared to external contractors performing similar work.”

Top: A KYLE bridge on the Yuma Subdivision is shown after being renovated.

Bottom: Bridge before renovation.

BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION TEAMS

TIE AND SURFACING TEAM

Life in the Midwest has been good this year for TS-2, which finished its first two tie replacement projects earlier than expected and was on pace to wrap up the third ahead of schedule.

The crew was at Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway (TPW) during the first half of July, installing 18,470 ties on the Illinois side of the state line.

“It was a pretty big project that saw a lot of coordination between Engineering and Transportation,” says Manager of Production Will Hinnant. “A lot of trains had to get moved around. I give the credit to my people; they did a great job, and they did it safely. We were able to finish the project a little early.”

In mid-July, TS-2 relocated to Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern Railroad (CFE), where it efficiently handled a 30,000-tie project near Lima, Ohio, wrapping up on August 22.

“We finished three days early, and it gave us a chance to do some preventive maintenance on our machines,” says Hinnant. “Normally, we don’t get to do that during the summer; so, that’s a big win for us.”

In late August, TS-2 headed north to Bad Axe, Michigan, where it had two smaller projects lined up at Huron and Eastern Railway (HESR). Hinnant says that he appreciates the detailed organization of the projects.

“The table’s pretty much set when we get there,” he says. “I give the credit to everybody in RES. From chief engineer and the directors to all the employees, we work great together as a team to improve the infrastructure of this railroad. It’s really nice when we’re all pulling in the same direction.”

CORK APPRECIATES TEAM EFFORT ON BPRR PROJECTS

TS-3 devoted its summer to replacing ties in western and central Pennsylvania for Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad (BPRR), which now enjoys enhanced speed limits and a lower likelihood of derailments.

Manager of Production Larry Cork says that he appreciates the detailed communication and excellent cooperation he received from BPRR, plus regional employees, throughout the project.

“We helped each other, and we completed these projects on time and safely,” he says.

Starting in mid-July, TS-3 renovated the A&E Subdivision with an 8,000-tie project. Next in line was the St. Mary’s Subdivision (3,300 ties), which wrapped up in mid-August.

From August 22 through midOctober, TS-3 was scheduled to replace 10,000 ties near Pittsburgh on BPRR’s main line.

HINNANT: ‘NICE WHEN WE’RE ALL PULLING IN THE SAME DIRECTION’

Tie Remover/Inserter (TRIPP)

Southern Region

MILITARY EXPERIENCE LEADS TO RAILROAD SUCCESS FOR AGR CREW

The U.S. military was proudly represented recently on an Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway (AGR) crew based out of Mobile, Alabama. The patriotic crew included veterans from three of the military branches—the U.S. Army, Marines and Air Force Reserve.

Conductor Alex Psculkowski served in the Marines for six years as a field radio operator. He was deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-05 and 2009-10. He joined AGR in February 2022. Conductor Jamon Peacock served in the Air Force Reserve in 2019 before going to the Air National Guard of Mississippi in 2021, where he works with radio frequency transmission systems. He has been with AGR since 2021. Locomotive Engineer Mario Dread served as a master sergeant in the Army for 23 years, including two tours as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-10. Dread has worked for AGR since 2013.

They credit their military experience as crucial to molding them into the employees they are now. Dread, for one, says that he remembers the Army’s core values of loyalty, respect, selfless service, duty, honor, integrity and personal courage every time he climbs aboard a train. He also cites the ability to manage adversity and work safely as traits that carry over from the military to railroading.

“Safety always has been a big key to success during training as well as on the battlefield,” says Dread. “Now that I’m in the transportation industry, some of the railroad’s core values are similar, with safety being the top of the list. I think it’s important for all of us to find within ourselves what has shaped us to be leaders and apply the railroad’s core values as a guideline to our daily operations.”

Peacock also says that there’s a close connection between his military and railroad experience.

“Working for AGR, combined with my military career, has been incredibly rewarding,” he says. “The values held by people who I work with in my civilian career versus my military career are aligned in lockstep. For me, this railroad has changed my life for the better in the same ways the Air Force has.”

AGR trains are hauling coal from New Elk Coal Company in Colorado to the McDuffie terminal in Alabama, typically on trains of 105 to 115 cars carrying 14,000 to 17,000 tons per trip.

The Port of Alabama is crucial to the economic vitality of the Gulf Coast and the entire state of Alabama. One key component of the port is McDuffie Coal Terminal, an operation that relies heavily on its rail service providers to reach its estimated annual capacity of 30 million short tons. Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway (AGR) is proud to be one of those rail companies servicing McDuffie, the second largest coal terminal in the United States.

Beginning in February 2022, AGR trains are hauling coal from New Elk Coal Company in Colorado to the McDuffie terminal, typically on trains of 105 to 115 cars carrying 14,000 to 17,000 tons per trip. AGR was on pace to deliver more than 10 trains by the fall. There are myriad factors that make the line possible, including the advances in distributed power throughout the length of trains and Positive Train Control (PTC).

“When you pause to consider the industry changes that have occurred to make this move not only possible but safe, reliable and competitive, it’s just incredible,” says AGR Assistant General Manager Walt Sailers. “The nimbleness of the railroad is really something.”

New Elk plans to ramp up its coal production, says Sailers, which is great news for AGR.

“I think the best part of this is seeing the hard work and dedication of the AGR team rewarded with this opportunity for handling this move,” says Sailers.

From left are Conductor Alex Psculkowski, Locomotive Engineer Mario Dread and Conductor Jamon Peacock.

MNA LENDS VALUABLE RAIL SUPPORT FOR NEW ARKANSAS LIME MINE OPERATION

It’s safe to say that the relationship between Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad (MNA) and Arkansas Lime Company is rock-solid.

When Arkansas Lime purchased an old limestone mine located near Myersville, Arkansas, in 2018, the company began exploring the possibility of rehabbing the original rail that ran to the mine. MNA Sales & Marketing Manager Anita Horton stepped up to lead efforts for the commercial team, working with G&W Engineering, Operations, Real Estate and Industrial Development to establish rail service to the Myersville mine. Horton’s efforts were aided by the fact she already had built a solid relationship with Arkansas Lime as a customer in Batesville, Arkansas. The Batesville site also is the destination for the lime from Myersville.

“We have a proud history with Arkansas Lime and knew that we could offer them the service they needed to make this work,” says Horton.

By 2021, construction of the Myersville site was complete, and MNA received 60 new cars for the move. In 2022, construction of the Batesville receiving site was finished and the first cars moved. In Batesville, the lime will be processed and heated in rotary kilns for rail shipments offline.

By rehabbing the spur at Myersville and utilizing the 13-mile online haul, it’s a more cost-effective solution for Arkansas Lime than trucking. This creative solution is expected to generate around 4,000 carloads and $1.6 million a year beginning in 2022.

Horton says that it’s a win for both MNA and Arkansas Lime, whose parent company is U.S. Lime.

“We look forward to continuing this partnership and helping them grow their rail business,” she says.

The site for the future rail line that will service a new Arkansas Lime mining operation near Myersville, Arkansas.

Southern Region

GC PLAYS VITAL ROLE IN HISTORIC HYUNDAI PROJECT IN GEORGIA

Georgia Central Railway (GC) has departed on a truly historic journey, both for itself and for G&W.

GC will partner with Hyundai Motor Group to serve the automaker’s new electronic vehicle production facility in Bryan County, Georgia, currently under construction and set to begin production by the end of 2024. The plant will be located on a 2,900-acre plot of land just outside Savannah, Georgia.

GC will provide inbound transportation of material and outbound completed vehicles to points across the United States. The project could double GC’s current volume and also makes history as G&W’s largest industrial development project to date.

“This is a Herculean project,” says Kevin Phillips, of G&W’s industrial development team.

G&W has been working with Hyundai daily on the design of the facility to ensure rail transportation operates smoothly and efficiently, says Phillips. The project requires teamwork among multiple G&W departments – Engineering, Industrial

Atop the newly rebuilt facility in Adrian, Missouri.

Development, Real Estate, Finance, Operations, Sales and Marketing, and Human Resources.

“This is unique for a short line to have this,” says Phillips. “Hyundai has to be reassured that whoever they’re tied to is capable of this and that we have the infrastructure. They’re putting a lot of trust in us. We’re ready.”

GRAIN

RETAILER REBUILDS

AFTER EXPLOSION, CREDITS MNA FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS

An explosion on New Year’s Eve Day in 2020 caused major damage to West Central Agri Services’ grain bin facility in Adrian, Missouri, but now the agricultural retailer has rebuilt and bounced back stronger than ever. The company shares credit for that rebuild with its many partners, one of them being Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad (MNA).

“They are absolutely key to getting us where we are and where we’re going,” says West Central Agri Services Manager Dale Guss.

The company, which is owned by MFA Inc., just celebrated its grand reopening with an open house in July. Since January, West Central had operated at partial capacity while much of the facility, including grain storage, was rebuilt. All the facility’s equipment had to be replaced. Through it all, MNA has been a steady partner. West Central has shipped more than 1,500 cars of grain since resuming business in January. Moving forward, the facility has increased bushel storage from 1.7 million to 2.7 million with the goal of pushing through 10 million bushels a year.

“Pretty much every bushel we buy and ship is because of MNA,” says Guss. “They’re great.”

From left, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO Jaehoon “Jay” Chang participate in a ceremony on May 20 near Savannah, Georgia, announcing a new electric vehicle production facility. GC will provide rail service.

Canada Region’s Two Original Railroads

On the evening of September 15, nearly 60 guests, including current and former employees, customers, as well as representatives from the Port of Trois-Rivières, the Trois-Rivières mayor’s office and the Railway Association of Canada, attended the QGRY anniversary celebration at the railroad’s Trois-Rivières site.

Today, QGRY is G&W Canada’s largest railway – spanning almost 310 miles in the Quebec province from Quebec City to Gatineau and including a subdivision to Shawinigan. It provides nearly 50 customers across a wide range of industries with an essential link to the North American rail network and is operated by roughly 140 dedicated employees – 28 of which have been with G&W Canada since Day 1.

Part of the celebration included the unveiling of a QGRY locomotive outfitted with a special decal commemorating “25 Years on the Right Track.” This decal recognizes QGRY’s achievements over the past two-and-a-half decades while looking ahead to a promising future with an absolute dedication to the safety of our people and the success of our customers.

This past fall, the first two Canadian railroads acquired by G&W – Quebec Gatineau Railway (QGRY) and Huron Central Railway (HCRY) – celebrated their 25th anniversaries.

Right: David Braun, QGRY general manager (left), with Rick McLellan, president of G&W Canada

Below middle: Jack Hellmann, G&W CEO, mingles with event attendees.

Above: Daniel Cournoyer, deputy mayor of Trois-Rivières, raises a glass to QGRY’s past 25 years.

QGRY’s locomotives were outfitted with a special 25-year decal.

Front row, from left: G&W Executive Vice President of Business Development Matt Walsh, G&W Canada’s Vice President of Finance Harold Perrault, G&W Canada’s Vice President of Engineering Andre LaPalme and G&W’s General Counsel Allison Fergus.

Back row, from left: G&W President of North America Michael Miller, G&W CEO Jack Hellmann, G&W Canada President Rick McLellan, G&W Canada Chief Commercial Officer Christian Richard and G&W Canada Vice President of Administration and HR Andre Houde.

Canada Region

Commemorate 25 Years as Part of the G&W Family

The celebration for HCRY was held on November 10 – with over 30 guests in attendance, including the Honorable Ross Romano, Member of Provincial Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie; mayors from neighboring towns along the Sudbury-Sault Ste. Marie line; representatives from the Ministry of Northern Development; the local HCRY task force that helped to lobby the government for continued grant funding; and customers and employees.

HCRY runs 173 miles from Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, with 13 employees serving roughly nine customers. It interchanges with both Canadian Class I railroads – Canadian Pacific and Canadian National. G&W congratulates the entire QGRY and HCRY teams on these remarkable milestones.

From left, Steve Butland of the HCRY Task Force; Ross Romano, Member of Provincial Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie; and Joe Fratesi of the HCRY Task Force.

Seated, from left: Andre LaPalme, G&W Canada’s vice president of engineering; Tom Alcock, HCRY trainmaster; Brendan Wallage, director of sales and marketing for HCRY; Patricia Ottoni, G&W Canada executive assistant; and Catherine Moher, HCRY trainmaster.

Standing from left: Roger Lacroix, HCRY assistant roadmaster; Lou Mastrandrea, director of MOW for G&W Canada; Jessica Farinaro, HR manager for G&W Canada; Murray MacBeth, chief mechanical officer for G&W Canada; Daryl Duquette, HCRY general manager; Adrianne Purificati, administrative assistant; Andre Houde, vice president of administration and HR for G&W Canada; and Stephane Tardif, director of safety and security for G&W Canada.

Andre Houde welcomes guests to the HCRY celebration.

TWO UK/EUROPE REGION EMPLOYEES PUBLISH CHILDREN’S BOOKS FOCUSED ON RAIL SAFETY

ARLO’S ADVENTURES THERE AND BACK

WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY AMY (BESSIE) MATTHEWS

Bessie Matthews, a train driver for Freightliner UK, recently wrote and illustrated a children’s book on rail safety. The book, titled Arlo’s Adventures There and Back, follows little badger Arlo on his journey to see his friends who live in a town two stops away on the train. It’s Arlo’s first time traveling on the railway by himself, and he must make some very critical decisions throughout the day. The book, aimed at younger children, highlights the possible “consequences of certain actions on or near the railway, while raising awareness amongst parents/guardians of the potential dangers.”

All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Railway Children charity, which has been fighting for children alone and at risk on the streets for over 25 years. G&W’s UK/Europe Region is a joint sponsor of the book and has made 2,000 copies available to G&W employees for free. In return, employees were asked to donate to Railway Children.

Matthews has been an avid supporter and advocate for showcasing the career opportunities for women in rail, as well as supporting the Samaritans UK charity and other rail-related charities through fundraising activities.

Bessie Matthews

MEET KLASIK (POZNAJCIE KLASIKA)

WRITTEN BY JUSTYNA WYKA, ILLUSTRATED BY LUDMILA BAGINSKA

Freightliner Poland also published a children’s book on rail safety and railroads to coincide with 2022 Children’s Day in June. Written by HR Manager Justyna Wyka in consultation with a group of Freightliner Poland employees, with illustrations by Ludmila Baginska, the book was inspired by their own children’s questions about the railroad. The book tells the story of a Class 66 locomotive named Klasik and helps to familiarize children with the safety rules for railroads, as well as showcasing professions in the rail industry. The authors wanted to highlight the different professions of the railroad and the role they play in company operations to inspire a new generation of railway workers.

The publication of the book is an extension of Freightliner Poland’s Safe Preschooler campaign. This program provides reflective vests to kindergarten classes, ensuring children’s visibility on the road during walks and excursions.

A look at some of the illustrations in “Meet Klasik.”

UK/Europe Region

Josiah’s Wish: Freightliner Team Makes 5-Year-Old’s Wish Come True

On September 20, the Freightliner team at Southampton Maritime Maintenance Department (SMMD) had the privilege of making a 5-year-old’s dream come true.

In collaboration with Make-A-Wish UK, Josiah, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma earlier this year, was granted his wish to be a freight train driver for the day.

Josiah and his family were invited to ride in a Class 70 locomotive named “Josiah’s Wish” in his honor. He had a fantastic day, and was clearly delighted by the day’s activities, as well as gifts of personalized PPE, model Freightliner locomotives and a cuddly stuffed badger dressed as Arlo, the main character of Arlo’s Adventures There and Back.

Sophia Strickland-Clark from Make-A-Wish UK said: “I just want to say an enormous thank you for everything you did for Josiah and his family yesterday. Emma (Josiah’s mum) is so incredibly grateful and said he had the best day of his life. Thank you again for your incredible generosity in making his wish come true.”

A big thank you to everyone involved in making this such a special day for Josiah, who is now in remission!

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. 20 West Avenue