Recycled paper. Genesee & Wyoming is committed to using resources wisely
Cover: A freshly painted locomotive on Rochester & Southern Railroad (RSR) boasts livery used by G&W in the late 1970s after Mortimer B. Fuller III joined the company. PHOTO BY
Ohio
ROBERT REYNOLDS
Right: An Indiana &
Railway (IORY) train. PHOTO BY ROBERT REYNOLDS
From the CEO
G&W Colleagues,
Much of this year’s communications – and even the last issue of Interchange – have been heavily focused on celebrating G&W’s 125th anniversary. So, while you’ll see a little bit more of those celebrations within these pages, we wanted to provide updates from our North American divisions. This issue is solely dedicated to stories from our operations –from an ethanol customer building an additional siding along our Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway (TPW) to our largest railroad, Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern (RCPE), celebrating its 10th anniversary since start-up to our Bay Line Railroad (BAYL) securing two new customers, just to name a few.
Overall, G&W has generally performed well through the first half of 2024:
• In terms of safety, while our human factor incidents have trended higher, both our injury-frequency and injury-severity rates are better than target and are outperforming last year. With summer in full swing, let’s maintain our safety focus, look out for each other and finish the year strong. Unfortunately, our reportable derailment rates continue to be a challenge, and we saw an uptick in the second quarter. So, please stay vigilant and mindful of what summer temperatures and severe weather can do to our infrastructure.
• From a financial perspective, volumes have been slightly up through the first half of the year, with higher demand across our agriculture and automotive sectors offsetting weakness in minerals & stone, coal & coke, and lumber & forest products, resulting in higher revenues compared to budget. However, higher-than-expected expenses are offsetting a portion of our revenue gains, so we finished the first half of 2024 slightly ahead of budget. Unfortunately, some of our customers and economists are
antici pating a weaker second half of 2024, so we need to continue to hustle for every carload and focus our efforts on minimizing expenses.
As I close out, I want to also provide two brief exciting updates:
• First, as you may already know from my video announcement on digital signage, we will once again raffle off two brand-new pickup trucks in December to two field employees from across our operations who are injury-free and in good standing. This is simply our way of saying thank you for upholding our commitment to our Core Values and being a team player.
• Second, at the request of many of you, we will be offering all employees a chance to purchase apparel branded with our special 125th heritage or militaryappreciation locomotive livery (see more details on the inside back cover). Our Communications Department is working to get an online store up and running, and you should be hearing from them soon on how to order these t-shirts and sweatshirts/hoodies for you and your family members. They’ll make a great gift for the holidays and are a wonderful way to honor both our 125-year legacy and our military.
As always, thanks for all you do for our company. Please continue to work safely, efficiently and as a team - we can always achieve more by working together!
Michael
July 17, 2024
G&W premiered a 125th anniversary video, showcasing its past, present and future.
G&W CEO Michael Miller
ABOVE: Dan Pavick, vice president of G&W’s Great Lakes Division railroads, showcases an old locomotive steam whistle from his personal collection.
BELOW: G&W Executive Chairman Jack Hellmann (left) greets event guests.
Around G&W
G&W CELEBRATES 125TH ANNIVERSARY IN ROCHESTER
Despite the threat of rain, the sun shone brightly at Rochester & Southern Railroad’s (RSR) Brooks Avenue yard in Rochester, New York, on Thursday, May 9, as G&W celebrated the company’s origins as a small 14-mile railroad hauling salt from a single salt mine in Retsof, New York.
More than 250 employees, former employees, board members, state and local dignitaries and friends of G&W gathered to celebrate this incredible milestone for the company.
The event featured speeches from G&W Executive Chairman Jack Hellmann, CEO Michael Miller, American Rock Salt CEO Joe Bucci Sr. and state and local dignitaries.
“When you celebrate a milestone birthday, everyone generally asks, how did you last for so long?” Hellmann said. “It’s because of the people of G&W – not only those who led us to where we are today, but the team today who is going to lead us to new heights.”
Monroe County Commissioner Adam Bello presented a proclamation to G&W: “Through their dedication to safety, reliability and efficiency, G&W has earned the trust and respect of countless communities through impactful partnerships fostering growth and fostering sustainability.”
To honor the occasion, two locomotives were painted in G&W’s heritage livery from the 1970s, when former company Chairman, President and CEO Mortimer B. Fuller III transformed the company by diversifying the business and setting it on the path to what it has become today. One of the locomotives was named in honor of Mort’s great-grandfather, E.L. Fuller, G&W’s founder. Mort and his wife, Sue, christened the locomotive prior to a passenger excursion for event guests from the Brooks Avenue yard to American Rock Salt, which operates the salt mine the original Genesee and Wyoming Railroad (now a part of RSR) served in 1899 and still serves today.
“Mort and his family planted some seeds many, many years ago,” Miller said. “Those seeds have germinated, and it’s our job to trim the bushes and make sure they flourish.”
The company also premiered a 125th anniversary video at the event, showcasing its past, present and future.
“G&W’s legacy that you all saw in this video – an entrepreneurial spirit, a commitment to customers and a safety mindset – is what will fuel us for the next 125 years,” Miller said.
To honor the occasion, two locomotives were painted in G&W’s heritage livery from the 1970s, when former company Chairman, President and CEO Mortimer B. Fuller III transformed the company by diversifying the business and setting it on the path to what it has become today.
American Rock Salt CEO Joe Bucci Sr.
G&W Executive Chairman Jack Hellmann
G&W Executive Chairman Jack Hellmann meets with state and local officials.
Former Chairman, President and CEO Mortimer B. Fuller III and his wife, Sue, christened RSR’s heritage locomotive.
Around G&W
FROM LEFT: G&W CEO Michael Miller, Sue and Mort Fuller, G&W Executive Chairman Jack Hellmann, and Divisional Vice President Dan Pavick.
The day included a passenger excursion for event guests from the Brooks Avenue yard to American Rock Salt, which operates the salt mine the original Genesee and Wyoming Railroad (now a part of RSR) served in 1899 and still serves today.
Around G&W
NORTHEAST DIVISION
PROVIDENCE AND WORCESTER RAILROAD’S NEW BUSINESS HELPS ENHANCE COMMUNITY
Providence and Worcester Railroad (PW) is assisting in a local effort to revitalize a currently unused site in Worcester, Massachusetts, that is expected to be a boon to commerce in the community.
The Worcester Business Development Corporation, a nonprofit business organization that has a mission to create jobs and expand Worcester’s tax base, has long coveted a campus that included a manufacturing plant. Part of this revitalization project involves demolishing that plant.
Recently, PW spotted and loaded the first seven cars with construction and demolition debris. F&D Truck Co., Inc., eventually was awarded a bid to demolish the old facility, and the project got underway.
While the work will benefit the Worcester community, Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing Ed Foley says that it also will be good for business on PW and G&W at large.
“One of the unique things about this is that it connects the dots to other G&W customers and sister railroads,” he says.
The debris is headed to a landfill in New Lexington, Ohio, operated by WIN Waste Innovations, which Foley says is a “strong partner.”
He added that winter is the offseason for the landfill business, which made it an opportune time to pursue the work.
The project has a four- to five-year window for completion. PW is slated to handle 750,000 tons of debris and could potentially also transport scrap metal from the project.
The Saint-Gobain facility in 2019, which is being demolished in Worcester, Massachusetts, for a revitalization project in the city. Providence and Worcester Railroad (PW) is assisting with the effort to remove construction debris.
TEAM EFFORT ENHANCES PW
Mother Nature can be less than friendly in January across Providence and Worcester Railroad (PW) territory.
Nonetheless, fair weather or not, enhancements such as a new, recently installed switch have to be made — especially considering the new construction and demolition work near Worcester, Massachusetts, which is increasing volumes on the railroad.
Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing Ed Foley commends team members from PW’s Maintenance of Way and Transportation departments as well as Northeast Division Vice President Brian McClain for their efforts.
“Everyone had a big hand in this project,” says Foley, noting that the job was done safely, on time and on budget. “We spent a significant amount of company capital to put the main line in. I credit Brian and his team for making this happen. Everyone had to stay focused on the task at hand.”
Building the switch was fundamental, and they did a “wonderful job,” Foley added.
PHOTO
Around G&W
OHIO VALLEY DIVISION
GROWTH OCCURRING ACROSS OHIO VALLEY DIVISION
New faces, new business and new power are fueling growth and momentum across the Ohio Valley Division railroads, according to Divisional Vice President Brian Stussie.
First, Jim Masker was named assistant general manager of Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern Railroad (CFE) in September 2023. Although Masker is new to CFE, he brings 28 years of railroad experience that he gained as a conductor at Maryland Midland Railway (MMID) as well as from being a conductor/locomotive engineer at both Housatonic Railroad in Massachusetts and Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad (BPRR).
“My experience here has been outstanding,” says Masker. “The people here are great, and my family is happy in this area. I’m looking forward to helping CFE continue on the path that was set by General Manager Derick Mann to keep CFE profitable and morale high, as well as to continue expanding and growing.”
Secondly, CFE completed a massive yard expansion in October 2023 that added 25,000 feet of new track and doubled the capacity of its primary yard in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
“CFE’s Director of Engineering Mike Hissong was instrumental in the oversight of this project, which was started on time, finished early and done under budget,” says Stussie.
A third win for CFE is the new business that will be generated by serving the Louis Dreyfus soybean crush plant in Upper Sandusky, Ohio.
“This newly constructed plant is set to be fully functional by 2026 and will generate approximately 12,000 carloads annually for CFE,” says Stussie. “They will be bringing unit sand trains from Chicago, and we will be able to handle the new business thanks to the yard expansion project and the additional people we have added in Transportation.”
Stussie credits Senior Human Resources Director Tammy Allegretti for being instrumental in hiring 84 new employees for the Ohio Valley Division.
“Tammy conducted hundreds of interviews for all departments and onboarded each one,” says Stussie. “None of these new business opportunities would be possible without Tammy’s help.”
Another win in the Division is seven-day-a-week service at both Indiana & Ohio Railway (IORY) and Central Railroad of Indiana (CIND), which commenced January 1. A record grain yield in the fourth quarter capped off 2023 for IORY and CIND.
“General Manager John Keffer and his team executed flawlessly,” says Stussie. “IORY/CIND Director of Mechanical Nick Longshore has completed onboarding of 26 new locomotives.”
In October 2023, CFE completed a massive expansion of its primary yard in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The Andersons Ethanol Plant in Clymers, Indiana, built a siding to tie into the TPW main line.
UPPER MIDWEST DIVISION
BIG WIN ACHIEVED ON TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILWAY
Railroading is about finding solutions. Along those lines, Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway (TPW) is helping a customer find them while seizing a business opportunity.
The Andersons Ethanol Plant in Clymers, Indiana, built a siding to tie into the TPW main line at milepost 67.67. TPW has been working on this with The Andersons since late 2018 upon execution of the lease of Winamac Southern Railway (WSRY).
This facility previously was served solely by Norfolk Southern. With increased demand for renewables such as corn oil and everchanging destination points for dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), a byproduct of the corn crush used to make ethanol, serving The Andersons is a great opportunity.
The Andersons benefits from TPW’s access to river terminals. This gives the
company options to ship its products via waterways and expands its market reach. Additionally, TPW, Tazewell & Peoria Railroad (TZPR) and Illinois & Midland Railroad (IMRR) have connections to every Class I carrier, giving The Andersons increased optionality.
ALLIANCE FORMED IN INDIANA BOOSTS BUSINESS
The merger of three energy companies has created new opportunities for Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway (TPW). Co-Alliance, a former customer served exclusively by TPW, is now Keystone Cooperative, which also includes the former Ceres Solutions and Endeavor Ag & Energy.
The move became effective on March 1, and TPW immediately continued to serve the customer in Herbst, Indiana. The first five railcars were placed and unloaded on March 4. Keystone Cooperative receives dry fertilizer on the west end of its facility and has recently expanded, adding a new siding on the east end that ties into the TPW main line.
The company also has added a tank that will be used to store and distribute liquid nitrogen fertilizer, which is sold to local farmers. The tank will hold 10,000 gallons, which is approximately 100 railcars of liquid nitrogen fertilizer.
A new siding allows for service to Keystone Cooperative.
Keystone Cooperative has tied into TPW’s main line.
Around G&W
CANADA DIVISION
CANADA DIVISION RAILROADS STRENGTHEN POSITIONS ACROSS THEIR COUNTRY
In the chess game that is railroading, G&W’s Canada Division railroads have strengthened their presence in the eastern province of Nova Scotia as well as the western province of Alberta.
In the east, Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway (CBNS) and Canadian National Railway (CN) commenced a partnership in November 2023, providing continued short line service to existing customers while offering the opportunity for customers to expand their market reach everywhere CN goes — west to the Pacific and south to the Gulf of Mexico.
“CBNS teaming with CN is strategic and good business,” says G&W Canada President Rick McLellan. “No employees from G&W railroads were negatively affected, and this provides sustainability into the future for our business in Nova Scotia.”
CBNS is based out of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, and operates 129 miles of mainline track between Port Hawkesbury and Truro in the province.
“Short lines are masters of the first and last mile, and this service to our customers will continue,” says McLellan. “However, the networking power that CN has and its existing ability to tap into markets that were not previously available to our customers provides flexibility for growth and future business.”
In the west, G&W has acquired BMS Locomotive Service Group in Edmonton, Alberta.
“This is part of our effort to expand our footprint in Canada,” McLellan says. “We are strong in the east, now we have a toehold in the west.”
BMS was built from the ground up by Brad Wray to serve regional railroads with routine and emergency locomotive mechanical service. The company has grown to 12 employees.
Canada Division Vice President of Operations Andrew Creighton echoes McLellan’s sentiments.“We are excited, as it supports G&W’s expansion initiative for western Canada,” he says. “This is our first location west of Sault Ste. Marie. We have planted our flag.”
PHOTOS BY CALEB DAVIS
G&W CEO Michael MillerRCPE General Manager Ryan Englebright
RCPE employees Joe Janssen and Troy Plueger received Apple watches in recognition of being 20 years injury-free.
Around G&W
CENTRAL DIVISION
RAPID CITY, PIERRE & EASTERN RAILROAD CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF FREIGHT-RAIL SERVICE TO SOUTH DAKOTA
Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad (RCPE), G&W’s largest railroad at 743 miles, commemorated 10 years since its startup on June 1, 2014. Celebratory events for the railroad’s nearly 200 employees, 50 customers, and local and state government officials who have supported the railroad were held the first week of June at rail yards in Rapid City, Pierre and Huron in conjunction with G&W’s annual June Safety Month.
“When our crews started up operations in June 2014, they were facing a tremendous backlog of grain from the 2013 harvest and what looked to be a record-breaking wheat harvest for 2014 – one that exceeded the capacity of grain elevators across the entire state of South Dakota,” G&W CEO Michael Miller said. “But our employees rose to that initial test and set expectations – not only for South Dakota farmers but for a range of industries across the state – that RCPE could deliver safe and efficient freight-rail service.”
Among the accomplishments recognized during the celebrations:
n RCPE has completed three of the past 10 years injury-free, a noteworthy accomplishment given the road’s annual volumes and the distances its crews travel.
n In 2023, RCPE was awarded an 8.9 out of 10 for customer service on its biennial customer-satisfaction survey. Customers have also invested billions of dollars to locate, expand or relocate along
INDUSTRIES
RCPE’s line – a testament to their confidence in the railroad’s ability to serve as a key transportation provider in their supply chains.
n With support from the State of South Dakota and the U.S. Department of Transportation, RCPE has invested more than $100 million to upgrade infrastructure and equipment over the past decade. The railroad has replaced 100-year-old rail for the line east of Wall, South Dakota; has maintained or upgraded hundreds of bridges and trestles; and has doubled capacity by building three additional sidings across the line.
In addition, nearly 70 employees were recognized for having been with RCPE since its first day of operation.
“We thank our employees, our customers, our partners at the state and federal level, and our community members for being a part of our story,” RCPE General Manager Ryan Englebright said. “With more investments for the long-term planned in the decade ahead, the future looks bright at RCPE.”
RCPE stretches from Colony, Wyoming, to Mankato, Minnesota, with branches from Rapid City to Crawford, Nebraska, and from Wolsey to Aberdeen, South Dakota. The railroad offers customers access to the North American freight-rail network via interchanges with BNSF, CPKC and Union Pacific railroads. Its commodity base includes agricultural products, aggregates and energy products.
RCPE Huron employees celebrating 10 years of service gather in front of a locomotive bearing the 10-year anniversary logo.
CENTRAL DIVISION
RAPID CITY, PIERRE & EASTERN RAILROAD
CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
OF FREIGHT-RAIL SERVICE TO SOUTH DAKOTA INDUSTRIES Continued
RCPE Pierre employees celebrating 10 years of service.
PHOTOS BY LAURIE NIVISON
RCPE Rapid City employees celebrating 10 years of service.
Divisional Vice President Danny Dalton
TEAMMATES EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO KYLE RAILROAD RETIREE GARRETT
Kyle Railroad (KYLE) Maintenance of Way stalwart Mike Garrett retired as a track inspector on March 4 after more than 38 years on the job.
Based in Goodland, Kansas, he began his career in 1985.
Recently, teammates and colleagues, including President of New York & Atlantic Railway James Bonner, celebrated Garrett’s career during a lunch. Bonner is a former KYLE track laborer who worked with Garrett when he started his career, and he flew in for the occasion. Bonner expressed his gratitude to Garrett for helping him become who he is today.
“This is a true testament to Mike’s character and who he was as a KYLE employee,” says Office Manager Sonja Kinter.
Another one of Garrett’s longtime coworkers, Mike Murray, also expressed appreciation for him. “It has been a privilege to work with Mike,” he says. “Aside from his positive attitude and wealth of knowledge, he always was willing to give a helping hand.”
Murray notes that Garrett offered “excellent guidance and leadership in the field,” adding that his strong work ethic was evident.
“He worked hard and made an undeniable difference for the company,” says Murray. “It won't be the same without him, but he deserves every bit of a long and happy retirement.”
COASTAL DIVISION
JOHN ATKINSON PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OF SEVERAL COASTAL DIVISION RAILROADS
Knowledgeable. Helpful. Professional. Respectful. These are just some of the words used by colleagues to describe John Atkinson.
The 34-year railroader was recently promoted to Assistant General Manager of Atlantic and Western Railway (ATW), Chattooga & Chickamauga Railway (CCKY), Carolina Piedmont Railroad (CPDR), Eastern Alabama Railway (EARY), East Tennessee Railway (ETRY) and South Carolina Central Railroad (SCRF). Most recently, Atkinson was the Roadmaster for SCRF, CPDR, ATW, ETRY and Wilmington Terminal Railroad (WTRY).
“John’s ability to work across multiple properties, teams and divisions throughout the years has helped drive growth, support capital projects
and build connections within the industry,” General Manager Tucker Wingerd says. “He has an unwavering commitment to safety and the success of the team.”
Atkinson attributes his problem-solving abilities to his success as a leader. “No two days are the same,” he says. “Having the ability to triumph over the constantly developing challenges we face each day is important.”
“John always has the problem-solving mindset and a plan to get the job done safely and effectively, even when faced with a shortage of manpower or equipment,” says General Manager Su Son. “He is through and through a team player, willing to help anyone in any department.”
For Roadmaster Shannon Clover, Atkinson’s willingness to drop everything to help a colleague in need is something he will never forget.
“John is the reason I joined G&W, from the way he carried himself and interacted with everyone on the job site and his genuine commitment to the safety and well-being of everyone,” Clover says. “A few months after I became a roadmaster, I lost my mom to cancer. John dropped everything and came up to my three railroads hundreds of miles away from his home so I could go to Ohio to take care of things. He did that without being asked and without hesitation because that is the type of person he is. I will forever be thankful to him.”
When he’s not working, Atkinson enjoys camping, traveling in his RV and spending quality time with family and friends.
John Atkinson
Mike Garrett and his wife, Lori, celebrate his retirement.
GULF DIVISION
NEW OSB PLANT ALONG WIREGRASS CENTRAL RAILROAD PART OF G&W INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
A new oriented strand board (OSB) plant for Magnolia Forest Products is set to be built on the Wiregrass Central Railroad (WGCR) in Enterprise, Alabama. It is expected that the project will take approximately 18 months.
OSB is a type of engineered wood, similar to particle board and made from wood pulp and adhesives.
Vice President of Industrial Development Kevin Phillips says wood pulp will be brought in by truck, while inbound glues and solvents used in the manufacturing process will be shipped and received via WGCR. Finished OSB board also will be shipped by rail.
The G&W industrial development project is a result of a team effort among local economic development councils, city engineers and many internal departments, including Operations, Sales & Marketing, Engineering and Real Estate.
The Industrial Development and Operations teams are working on the track layout into the facility from the main line.
Gulf Division Assistant Vice President of Sales & Marketing Kirk Quinlivan estimates that carloads will more than double, which would be significant for any railroad but particularly for one the size of WGCR, which spans 22 miles. With a $255 million investment and a prediction to increase the workforce by 120 team members, 300,000 tons of OSB is estimated to be produced.
Around G&W
ALABAMA & GULF COAST
RAILWAY
STEPS UP TO HELP
When the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway lock system failure occurred on January 16 during peak flood season, it caused the Demopolis, Alabama, lock and dam to require intense restruc-
turing. While the uncontrolled water movement was rectified quickly, the concrete upper sill required repairs.
With the dam out of commission, Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway (AGR) has stepped up to help move commodities to the McDuffie Coal Terminal at the Port of Mobile, Alabama.
Gulf Division Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing Kirk Quinlivan says that the coal is moved as a unit train that originates in Alabama on BNSF Railway. It is hauled to the BNSF inter-
change with AGR at Amory, Mississippi, where an AGR crew picks it up and runs it to McDuffie Coal Terminal to be unloaded. AGR is moving one unit train of coal every seven to 10 days.
“These trains were a result of the Tombigbee Waterway lock system failure and not in the AGR’s 2024 plan,” says Quinlivan. “However, this showcases AGR’s ability to make changes for additional business. The additional carloads and revenue have been great.”
The change began unexpectedly in late February and was continuing through early summer.
GULF DIVISION
GULF DIVISION
BAY LINE RAILROAD PICKS UP TWO NEW ACCOUNTS
Business has increased for The Bay Line Railroad (BAYL) thanks in part to two account acquisitions, the Peak Renewables wood pellet facility in Dothan, Alabama, and Smyrna Ready Mix’s (SRM) Panama City cement facility (formerly WestRock’s facility).
Vice President of Industrial Development Kevin Phillips says that Peak Renewables produces wood pellets for export out of the United States, and product will be shipped to CSX in Savannah via BAYL for export.
SRM purchased the old WestRock facility, and Phillips says that they plan to bring in cement by ship and transport outbound cement by rail using BAYL. He says that SRM wanted direct port access to receive its product for U.S. distribution and that they have many acres on this site that they plan to allow BAYL to market as rail-served sites for other potential customers.
The mill is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2024, as existing manufacturing equipment was relocated from a Canadian plant to Dothan. The finished wood pellets will be shipped to Savannah for export by East Coast Terminals.
The Bay Line Railroad (BAYL) generated new business from the Peak Renewables wood pellet facility in Dothan, Alabama. The purchase of the WestRock facility by Smyrna Ready Mix cement company in Panama City, Florida, also brings growth to the railroad and G&W.
Around G&W
ARIZONA EASTERN RAILWAY OFFICE MANAGER KATHY HOLGUIN RETIRES, DAUGHTER MEGAN HOLLEY STEPS INTO ROLE
Longtime Arizona Eastern Railway (AZER) Office Manager Kathy Holguin recently retired after 22 years in the role. She credits her relationship with her coworkers as the highlight of her time at AZER.
“I felt like I had a good rapport with them,” says Holguin. “You become like family. I received so much support from the AZER as well as Arizona & California Railroad (ARZC) management team.”
“Kathy and her family have been pillars of Arizona Eastern Railway, contributing in numerous capacities over the years,” says AZER General Manager Kevin Jones. “As she steps into retirement, we bid farewell to a cherished source of wisdom and historical insight for the AZER.
“Thankfully, this rich legacy will continue, as her daughter, Megan Holley, takes up the office manager position,” Jones continues. “Megan, following in her mother’s footsteps, will assume Kathy’s role, continuing the family’s commitment to the AZER.”
Holley, who previously worked as a legal secretary for the Gila County Attorney’s Office, was ready for a career change.
“When my mom and I talked about her retiring, I thought how awesome it would be to take over for her,” Holley says. “She once told me that this job is never boring and there is always something new every day. If a mistake is made, learn from it, but it can always be fixed.
RAIL SERVICES DIVISION RECEIVES
TYRONE JAMES AWARD
The Rail Services Division was recently awarded the Tyrone James Award for having the lowest three-year injury-frequency rate (IFR) among G&W divisions in 2023.
“As always, this is a team effort,” says Rail Services Division Vice President Jason Bradt. “We make the effort to be consistent every day and embrace the opportunity to always embody the 1% better mindset through our actions. The team is genuinely concerned about each other and works diligently to be better than the day before.”
The Rail Services Division comprises all industrial switching properties, which translates to inherently more physical work being done.
“Achieving these safety stats is quite remarkable,” says G&W Assistant Vice President of Compliance and Safety Emma Moser. “They onboard a lot of new properties, which means a lot of new employees who are unfamiliar with our safety standards and facing potential cultural shifts. These items tend to increase risk, and they have managed it while maintaining that safety record.”
“I am extremely proud of the entire team,” says Bradt. “Our customers want safe, efficient and consistent service day in and day out, and the team prides itself on being the best in the business.”
Work hard, ask questions if you need to, there is always someone to help.
“My mother is the perfect example of a hardworking, dedicated and loyal employee,” Holley continues. “I have been told, ‘you have some big shoes to fill.’”
Looking back on her time as office manager, Holguin recalled an amusing story involving “not your typical desktop mouse.”
“I was on the phone, and out of the corner of my eye I could see something on my desk,” says Holguin. “When I looked, it was a mouse. The phone call I was on wasn’t one you could just say, ‘can I call you back there is a mouse on my desk.’ I had to slap the top of the desk to keep the mouse off until I got off the phone. I called one of the managers and asked for some assistance. He told me, ‘everyone has a mouse on their desk for their computer.’ I told him this mouse has eyes and a tail. Once I got it out of my office, I shut all the office doors and blocked the hall so it couldn’t get into my office again. Help finally arrived and took care of the situation!”
Now that she is retired, Kathy and her husband plan on doing some traveling and working on home projects. She also enjoys crafting when she has the time.
Megan Holley
Kathy Holguin
Around G&W
SOUTHWEST DIVISION CELEBRATES SAFETY
In addition to the Southwest Division winning the Chairman’s Safety Award for the lowest injury-frequency rate across G&W in 2023 and the President’s Award for most improved safety performance in 2023, two division railroads — Kiamichi Railroad (KRR) and Dallas, Garland & Northeastern Railroad (DGNO) — recently celebrated their own safety milestones.
DGNO, which covers 161 miles throughout the northeast corner of Texas, has 79 team members and serves 93 customers. Assistant General Manager Joe Newsom says that a focus on teamwork, daily communication across crafts, as well as identifying potential distractions contributed to its twoyear-long safety record.
“Ownership is the best word to describe how DGNO models safety,” says Newsom. “There are so many things that can distract us daily, and it’s important to learn how to identify that. When there are any issues, we find the root cause by working as a team and learning how to prevent it from happening again. While the approach is simple, the scope is huge.”
Newsom notes that the team members having pride in what they do and where they work motivates them to be safe.
At KRR, employees celebrated their third consecutive reportable injuryfree year. The railroad serves 21 customers and five railroad interchanges with 61 employees based out of three on-duty locations in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
“Winning the two awards is a great achievement and shows the direction that the division is heading,” says Assistant General Manager Spencer Wheatley. “It takes dedication and commitment from each employee in the division to accomplish this. Everyone should have a sense of pride when it comes to knowing that everyone is going home safely.”
Both assistant general managers attribute the safety success to the team members’ commitment to focusing on one task at a time.
Right: DGNO celebrates two consecutive years of safety.
Below: KRR celebrates three consecutive years of safety success.
Above: DGNO celebrates two consecutive years of safety.
Available to G&W Employees and Their Families for Purchase
Special Edition
G&W Locomotive Design Apparel
Celebrate G&W’s 125th anniversary and show your G&W pride with apparel featuring two special designs that are featured on several locomotives on roads across G&W.
The Heritage Livery honors G&W’s 125 years of history with its throwback to the company’s livery design from the 1970s.
The Veterans and Military Livery honors active duty and retired service members.
Available on adult and children’s t-shirts and hoodies, and baby onesies too!
Keep an eye out for more information on how to purchase!
Address Service Requested
An Indiana & Ohio Railway (IORY) train in Washington Court House, Ohio.
