With increased ridership and federal funding for Amtrak, commuter rail and rail transit, more rail cars are going to need to be built to expand the fleet. Many existing rail cars will need to be rebuilt to stay in active fleets.

 

That has led to the question in some quarters in recent days on the need for converting recently closed auto manufacturing plants to building or rebuilding passenger rail cars for the high-speed intercity, conventional intercity, commuter and transit sectors.

 

The question is, are Ohioans aware of this opportunity? If not, why not? And what auto plants are still in good condition but either completely or partially available for reactivation as railroad equipment manufacturing?

 

Let's compile a list of these plants and discuss their merits. And maybe someone will see this thread and share it others who can lobby for funding to put these plants back into productive use -- for the booming railroad industry!

We may need to partner with someone like Bombardier, but I completely agree that the work should be done here.  We have the capacity and the skilled labor to do it.  This region has the best possible setup to start cranking out all things rail.  The match is so perfect, as is the timing. 

 

I don't know of any completely unused ex-auto plants.  The former White plant on E140 comes to mind.  It's being converted to piecemeal industrial uses, but I'm sure they'd love for a giant tenant to move in.  There are plenty of vacant industrial properties sitting around.  As for what specific machines would be needed for railcar construction, I have no idea.  But we can get them.  They're probably already in NE Ohio.     

Is Indiana eligible for a piece of this discussion, and does it have to be automobile plants?

 

I remember that it came up recently in one of our conversations that Amtrak intends to either scale back or shut down its facility at Beech Grove (Suburban Indianapolis). Back in the late 1980s - early '90s they invested a ton of money in part of the old Big 4 shops to create a state-of-the-art facility capable of heavy repair, including everything from wreck repair to scheduled rehabs on cars and locomotives. I can't remember all the details, but the Beech Grove shops played a significant part in building the prototype Viewliner cars.

 

European and Asian railroads used to send technicians and observers to Beech Grove to see how a first-class maintenance facility should be run.

 

There's a facility that doesn't need to be converted, and is underutilized but to a great extent fully equipped to do the work. If Amtrak doesn't want it, it seems to me that someone like M-K (Morrison-Knudsen) or Bombardier ought to be interested in buying or leasing it.

I know Philly is doing the building for most of their new regional rail cars - they are Korean/Japanese design, but they are being assembled somewhere in Greater Philly. This might be a good way to start.

Maybe Boeing ought to get back into railcars.

Maybe Boeing ought to get back into railcars.

 

Yeah. Maybe they could build on the reputation they established with those fabulous Muni Metro cars. :|

As for what specific machines would be needed for railcar construction, I have no idea.  But we can get them.  They're probably already in NE Ohio.     

 

My understanding is that Amtrak owns the tooling for the double deck long distance Superliners used out west, as well as the single-level Viewliner sleepers currently used on the Lake Shore Limited and other eastern trains.

 

Keep in mind also that we could remanufacture hundreds of former commuter cars into intercity equipment. Philadelphia's SEPTA system and New jersey transit are in the process of retiring hundreds of old Silverliner and Jersey Arrow electric MU cars. There are also 200 retired Long Island RR commuter cars in the hands of an equipment dealer available at about $25,000 each.

 

Thus we could have a scenario where we quickly gear up to remanufacture hundreds of old cars while simultaneously tooling up to build new cars in another part of the same facility.

 

For a billion dollars, we could remanufacture 500 old cars at about $300 million and build 300 new cars with the remaining $700 million (educated guess).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh if only the bail out money wasn't trying to help out failed companies but start ups like this instead. It's a brilliant idea.

This article from the Dayton Daily News mentions a proposal for legislation to allow incentives for building reuse in cases like you mention above.  Here is the article:

 

Leaders: Time to focus on GM plant reuse

> Do you think a new use will be found for the GM Moraine plant?

> Coverage of the plant's closing

By Thomas Gnau

 

Staff Writer

 

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

 

MORAINE — General Motors Corp.'s announcement last week that it will close its Moraine assembly plant Dec. 23 was painful, local leaders agree.

 

But by no means was it a surprise, they add. GM indicated in June that it will close the plant by 2010. And as recently as late August, the automaker had rejected an Ohio government offer of $56 million in tax credits to keep the plant open.

It's more realistic to build a new plant for heavy manufacturing of a different type of product than reuse an existing facility except if maybe you were only doing assembly.  Most practical reuses of closed auto plants are light industry since they don't require a major retrofit of existing space. 

 

Speaking trains, maybe GM shouldn't have sold EMD

Assembly is pretty much what we're talking about since components are made all over the world. And even if newly manufactured rail cars can't be built in the existing auto plants, they can certainly be built in new plants built on the site of the old auto plants.

 

Also, when it comes to rebuilding/refurbishing existing rail cars, strip out the interiors of some of these auto plants and you can do the necessary work in them.

 

And, Rob, we want these rail cars built/rebuilt in Ohio!

The old Packard plant(s) in Warren/Champion, Ohio... Currently Delphi is only using a fraction of the plants that are located on their property and are planning to close another. Significant rehab would most likely be needed. That's the only plants I can think of though...

The Lorain Ford plant has been in my mind, and is still mostly unused since an investor bought the huge complex.

I think the old Copperweld complex in Warren is underutilized too.  Parts of it might be too far gone at this point, but other parts are still kicking.

 

One issue with the really old factory buildings is that their docks don't work well with modern trucks.  The bays aren't deep enough and I think there's a height issue too.  We aren't in a position yet to get everything in and out by rail, which is what those buildings were originally designed for.

Perhaps some of the factories in north-central Ohio might be better suited. I'm thinking of the factories in the small towns north of Columbus that have been crushed this decade. A factory in the cities would be great, but fixing the small town one's would be far easier.

Here's an editorial from the Dayton Daily News from back in July that addresses this thread.

 

EDITORIAL

Our view: Trains could be route to new jobs, too

By Dayton Daily News

Friday, July 11, 2008

 

Maybe the old adage about what's good for General Motors being good for the country should get a tweaking: what's good for the former GM worker is good for the country.

 

On first reading, two recent stories in this newspaper might suggest a struggle that is beyond winning. First, a report Friday, July 4, by business reporter Tim Tresslar told of the millions upon literal millions of square feet of plant space either already empty or due to turn fallow when, as announced, DHL and GM cease area operations.

New developments such as these should be focused on the cities if the State ever wanted to take the advice of the Brookings Institute.  The core cities and their able and ample workforce could take advatage of these jobs and make the biggest impact on the economy.

News from Columbus....

 

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=20766

 

Value Recovery Group investors acquire former Colorado Railcar DMU

 

Private investors affiliated with asset management firm Value Recovery Group Inc. (VRG) recently acquired the former Colorado Railcar Manufacturing L.L.C. diesel multiple unit (DMU) and plan to resume manufacturing the self-propelled passenger cars in a new U.S. manufacturing facility to be established later this year.

 

VRG formed US Railcar L.L.C., which will retain the acquired Colorado Railcar DMU proprietary rights and information, manufacturing documentation, inventory, tooling, fixtures/jigs and other production equipment.

 

“There is a major commitment by the Obama Administration and Congress to make investments in intercity and high-speed rail to promote economic growth and mobility, create jobs, conserve energy and address climate change,” said VRG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Barry Fromm in a prepared statement. “This opens a new era for passenger trains and rail-car manufacturing in the United States.”

 

VRG appointed Michael Pracht president and CEO of US Railcar. He previously held various key positions at Siemens and Ansaldo STS.

 

US Railcar plans to manufacture both single- and bi-level DMUs designed to operate in all mixed-mode U.S. freight corridors. US Railcar’s DMU is the only Federal Railroad Administration-compliant DMU operating in North American revenue service, according to VRG.

 

Below is an example of what the former Colordao Railcar used to build:

Doesn't Siemens already have some big manufacturing facility in the Cincinnati area? They're a big player in streetcar and light rail rolling stock, as well as German high-speed rail.

They might, but I don't believe they have a full-blown assembly operation anywhere in the U.S. currently.  Our home-grown rail car industry is, of course, long gone.... Pullman, Budd, American Car Foundry, et al.

I think that's correct, no assembly takes place in the US.  The most significant operation I know of is Bombardier's in Quebec.

Whatever manufacturing Siemens does in Cincinnati, I'm pretty sure it isn't rail-related. The company is also a big maker of medical equipment and God-knows what else. They do have a presence in the area, though.

It's electrical switching equipment and its in Norwood. One of the oldest continually operating factories in Siemens as I recall.

Trains and rail infrastructure certainly use a lot of electrical switching equipment. It would be nice to see the local Siemens plant get a piece of that action.

U.S. Railcar

200 jobs may roll in with business

Wednesday,  July 1, 2009 3:10 AM

By Marla Matzer Rose

 

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

http://dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/07/01/rail_car.ART_ART_07-01-09_A8_A7EB67B.html?sid=101

 

Eyeing federal stimulus money set aside for transportation projects, a Columbus company has purchased a defunct manufacturer of diesel-powered passenger railcars and is talking to the state about basing manufacturing operations in Ohio.

 

U.S. Railcar LLC would employ between 100 and 200 workers once a manufacturing site is established, said Barry Fromm, CEO of financial-services firm Value Recovery Group, lead investor in U.S. Railcar.

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090712/NEWS02/307129906

 

Railpower on rise again

Company could switch manufacturing work to Erie

 

BY JIM MARTIN

[email protected]

Published: July 12. 2009 12:01AM

 

Erie's other locomotive maker -- Canada-based Railpower Technologies Corp., which had its U.S. headquarters in Erie -- was split into pieces by bankruptcy early this year.

 

But just a few months later, some of the company's technology, patents and employees have resurfaced in Erie under new ownership.

 

And what's more, one key company official is indicating there's a possibility the company's local presence could grow substantially.

 

Kentucky-based R.J. Corman Railroad Group LLC, which purchased many of the old company's assets, has established a new Erie-based division to make hybrid and conventional yard switcher and medium-horsepower locomotives.

......

This was formerly the thread "Converting auto factories to rail car plants?" which seems to have taken on the subject that it is now. So I changed the subject title to something more appropriate and that can be applied more broadly.

A good title change, KJP.

http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_media_detail.asp?locid=19&prid=4402

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 17, 2009

Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

 

 

Governor Doyle Announces Agreement with Talgo to Bring New Trains, Assembly and Maintenance Facilities to Wisconsin

MADISON - Governor Jim Doyle today announced an agreement with the Spanish train manufacturer Talgo to put two Talgo train sets into service in Wisconsin and to establish new assembly and maintenance facilities in the state.  The rail car assembly plant will support the delivery of Talgo trains throughout the country.

“We are pleased to welcome Talgo to Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “I can’t wait for our Midwestern travelers to experience first-hand the comfort, modern amenities and expanded seating capacity on these wonderful trains.  In addition, the company will use Wisconsin workers and skills to assemble and maintain Talgo trains. This relationship has the potential to create even more jobs, gives the state a major role in the growth of an exciting transportation industry and helps us move forward with our vision for high speed passenger rail service in the Midwest.”

Talgo officials joining Governor Doyle to make the announcement in Madison included Antonio Perez, CEO and president of Talgo Inc., the company’s U.S. subsidiary, and Jose Maria Oriol, CEO and president of Patentes Talgo, Spain.

"After 14 years of track record in the US market and having participated in the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative in 2000, Talgo is very excited to have its equipment selected again as the most suitable for the Madison-Milwaukee-Chicago Corridor,” Antonio Perez said.  “We are very excited with the opportunity of manufacturing high speed trains in Wisconsin and helping to bring economic development and the option for proven intercity passenger rail equipment to the Midwest region. We appreciate the leadership from Governor Doyle in this very important step towards accomplishing the new Administration's Vision."

Wisconsin will purchase two, 14-car train sets for $47 million. The agreement provides an option to buy two additional train sets if the state is successful in securing federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for the extension of passenger rail service from Milwaukee to Madison.

Talgo cars are made of aluminum alloy with welded seams to form a structural frame making them lighter weight and stronger than traditional rail cars.  The rail cars use passive tilt technology that allows the cars to navigate curves at higher speeds with less car tilting and to ride smoother at higher speed, greatly enhancing passenger comfort.

The trains will be put into service on the Amtrak Hiawatha Service with the cars pulled by existing locomotives. Each train set provides a seating capacity of 420 compared to the current capacity of 350. The popular Amtrak Hiawatha Service provides daily trips between Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ridership on the Hiawatha Service continues to grow, with more than 766,000 riders in 2008, a 24% increase over 2007. 

“I’m delighted the State of Wisconsin has taken the bold step to purchase modern, new passenger rail equipment,” said Amtrak Chairman of the Board Thomas Carper. “Amtrak has had a great response to Talgo train equipment on its Cascades Service in the Pacific Northwest, and we are confident travelers on the Hiawatha Service will have the same reaction.  Wisconsin has always been one of Amtrak’s strongest state partners, and we congratulate Governor Doyle on this important and exciting initiative that will bring new levels of comfort and convenience to intercity travelers.”

The locations of the assembly and maintenance facilities have not yet been determined, but are likely to be in south central or southeastern Wisconsin. Together, the assembly and maintenance facilities are expected to create about 80 jobs for Wisconsin workers, with the potential for more jobs as operations grow.

Aluminum alloy structural frame parts for the Talgo trains will be manufactured in Spain and then shipped to Wisconsin for assembly.  Talgo will be working with Wisconsin and other U.S. vendors to supply parts for outfitting the trains.

The dedicated rail car maintenance facility will provide ongoing service for equipment used in the Midwest. Talgo currently operates a maintenance facility in Seattle, Washington, to service Amtrak Cascades trains.

I debated whether to post this here or in "What other states are doing..." but this seemed a better fit here:

 

http://www.rtands.com/breaking_news.shtml#Feature4-7-21

 

July 20, 2009

GE Transportation completes $80-million project in Seattle

 

GE Transportation said that Central Puget Sound’s transportation authority, Sound Transit, has officially opened its north-south Central Link light rail line, operating with a complete GE Transportation communications and train control signaling solution.

 

Sound Transit recently reached another milestone with the grand opening of the 14.2-mile Central Link light rail line that runs from downtown Seattle to the 154th Street station in Tukwila near the Sea-Tac airport. The new line will allow riders to travel between Tukwila and downtown Seattle in 30 minutes, with trains running up to 20 hours per day, every 7.5 to 15 minutes. When the Link light rail line is extended to the University of Washington (University Link) it will serve an estimated 100,000 riders a day.

Who will build this train?

(June 2010)   

Monday, July 19, 2010 

 

 

The stakes are big in the race to build a new generation of American high speed trains.

 

By William C. Vantuono, Editor

 

“If we can get one high speed system up and running, others will follow.” Siemens Mobility President Oliver Hauck's pronouncement to Railway Age sums up the outlook of several countries and their affiliated railway suppliers on the prospects for high speed rail in the United States—one of the few developed nations without a “true” (very high speed, 200 mph or faster) HSR system.

 

Indeed, Germany, France, Spain, Japan, and China are all vying for a piece of what is now a $13 billion U.S. market—a start, at best, but one with lots of growth potential.

 

Realistically, observers and supporters say, at least $50 billion in guaranteed federal HSR funding is needed to attract state dollars and private investment. The Obama Administration’s financial commitment is, again, a start, and there’s momentum in Congress to expand it. Forget Florida Overland eXpress, Texas TGV, and other failed HSR projects from a decade or more ago. Except for a few shelved plans that can be resurrected and dusted off, those projects are from another era, when cheerful, optimistic rhetoric was in abundance, but the federal government had nothing financial to offer other than a few crumbs for research and development.

 

Full column at: http://www.railwayage.com/in-this-issue/who-will-build-this-train-june-2010.html

Published: August 12. 2010 12:01AM

Amtrak locomotive plan great idea

Erie Times News Editorial

 

The federal government has the chance to rebuild the nation's passenger rail service by upgrading Amtrak's aging fleet of locomotives. We must seize that opportunity.

 

The idea is for Amtrak to secure loan guarantees under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program to revitalize its fleet with higher-speed, diesel-electric locomotives that would reach speeds between 110 and 124 mph. Up to $35 billion is available under the program, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's website.

 

 

If it happens, GE Transportation, as the top locomotive manufacturer in the United States, would be poised perfectly to compete for the Amtrak contract.

 

Full editorial at: http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100812/OPINION01/308129996/-1/opinion05

Cross-posted from 3C thread. Sorry about the delay in posting this.....

 

Please note this is a press-release, not a restricted use news article

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/prnewswire/index.ssf?/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=cleveland.story&STORY=/www/story/08-11-2010/0005290325&EDATE=Aug+11,+2010

 

EWI Launches Passenger Rail Manufacturing Center

Center Aims to Stimulate State and National Manufacturing

Competitiveness and Jobs

 

    COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- EWI launched a

first-of-its-kind Passenger Rail Manufacturing Center from its headquarters

in Columbus, Ohio. The mission of the Center is to develop and strengthen

manufacturing supply chains for the rail and rolling stock industries,

improve railroad product affordability, and develop technical innovations

that will allow railroad manufacturers to collaborate effectively with OEMs

(original equipment manufacturers) and deliver a new wave of manufacturing

job opportunities at the state and national level.

 

    Establishing the Passenger Rail Manufacturing Center is a strategic

move by EWI based on data predicting that passenger rail service will

experience strong national and international growth in the coming decades,

driving the need for new and improved passenger rail equipment and

infrastructure.

 

    Launched by a start-up grant from the Ohio Department of Development

(ODOD), the Passenger Rail Manufacturing Center intends to assist Ohio

manufacturers in securing a leading share of the emerging passenger rail

market and in exploiting the capabilities of underutilized manufacturing

plants and workers.

 

    As the leading national authority on materials joining and allied

manufacturing technologies, and an innovator of repair technologies for

rail manufacturers, EWI is uniquely positioned to manage Passenger Rail

Manufacturing Center operations and realize its goals. Says Suhas Vaze,

Director of the new Center, "One of the fastest ways to achieve

introduction and adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies for a

U.S.-based passenger rail industry is to actively facilitate and manage

technology transfer from the U.S. Department of Defense, oil & gas,

aviation, and automotive supply chains to rail industry supply chains. EWI

has been a highly effective technology bridge for these supply chains for

more than two decades and we are well-positioned to serve as the technology

bridge for stronger rail car supply chains."

 

    The Passenger Rail Manufacturing Center is one of five centers and

consortia operated by EWI that establish public/private partnerships to

advance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.

 

    About EWI

 

    EWI is a leading engineering and technology organization dedicated to

materials joining and allied technologies. We provide applied research,

manufacturing support, and strategic services to nearly 2,800 member

company locations of global leaders in the aerospace, automotive, defense,

energy and chemical, government, heavy manufacturing, and electronics

industries. Visit ewi.org for more information.

USDOT Announces New, Historic Uniform High-Speed Rail Design Standards to Help U.S. Manufacturers to Compete

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  U.S.Department of Transportation

Office of Public Affairs

Washington, D.C.

www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm

News

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOT 160-10

Contact: Rob Kulat

Tel: 202-493-6024

 

 

 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the first-ever uniform technical standards for the manufacture of high-speed intercity passenger rail cars, a development that will enhance the ability of U.S. manufacturers to compete in what is set to become a burgeoning industry.

 

“As part of the Obama Administration’s focus on maximizing manufacturing opportunities, these first-ever uniform standards will provide an unprecedented opportunity for manufacturers in the U.S. – from rails to wheel bearings, to final assembly – to build a strong, stable manufacturing base,” said Secretary LaHood.

 

A uniform standard creates a level playing field and economies of scale based on a common set of designs and technical requirements allowing U.S. based manufacturers to more effectively compete. Fostering healthy economic competition will drive down costs for rail owners and operators and the traveling public. Further, maintenance and repair costs will be lower because of lower parts acquisition costs. And, training can be streamlined with just one type of equipment, allowing faster turnaround for repairs.

 

The first technical standard will apply to bi-level passenger rail cars for use in high-speed passenger rail operations.

 

“This is a milestone in the history of rail transportation,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “These standardized bi-level passenger rail cars will be able to operate nationwide and are compatible with existing equipment. A common design also makes it easier to train maintenance personnel, stock parts and perform repairs, which reduces costs.”

 

New bi-level cars will meet all current safety requirements and regulations, as well as be able to satisfy future regulations for crash energy management. As existing passenger rail vehicles are replaced, the addition of new stock will enhance system safety.

 

The standards will ensure that newly manufactured cars can be used with the current passenger locomotive fleet, either alone or with existing bi-level cars, and are designed to accommodate entry and departure from low-level platforms. The new cars will also be Americans with Disabilities Act -compliant.

 

Similar standards for single-level passenger rail cars are expected to be adopted by the end of the year.

 

The establishment of technical standards for high-speed rail operations is required by the Passenger Railroad Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 and was developed by the Technical Subcommittee of the Section 305 Next Generation Equipment Committee. Members include the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak and state Departments of Transportation. The subcommittee also received input and participation from rail industry manufacturers, freight railroads and transportation associations.

 

####

 

wow, the last two posts almost seem to go hand in hand!  Could this be a manufacturing boon to Ohio?

Ohio will get some benefit no matter what (Ohio is the fifth-largest rail industry supply state by total employment), but the benefit will be much greater if Ohio doesn't give the $400 million back. Set-up and transportation costs put Ohio companies at a disadvantage when competing for rail projects in other states. Conversely, they will have an advantage when investments are made in their backyard.

Published: September 01. 2010 1:16AM

GE Transportation to supply components for passenger locomotives

By JIM MARTIN

[email protected]

 

GE Transportation isn't just talking about the next generation of higher-speed rail anymore.

 

The company announced Tuesday that it will supply engines and other key components for 20 new passenger locomotives purchased by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

 

GE Transportation didn't win the $114 million contract. In fact, the Lawrence Park Township-based unit of General Electric Co. didn't even bid on it. Instead, the company has forged a partnership with winning bidder MotivePower, an Idaho-based unit of Wabtec Corp.

 

MotivePower will build the higher-speed passenger locomotives in Idaho but will use major GE Transportation components built in Erie and Grove City.

 

Full story at: http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010308319920

 

Wednesday, September 8, 2010 - Page updated at 09:46 PM

 

New trains should be U.S. made, says visiting transportation secretary

By Mike Lindblom

Seattle Times transportation reporter

 

In the wake of the Great Recession, the trains that are ridden in the U.S. should be built in the U.S., federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.

 

LaHood plans to issue proposals that would require federally funded transit projects to feature domestically built trains, as well as comparable mandates for highways, he said Wednesday in Seattle.

 

"Our money is going to go to American manufacturers," he said, shortly before speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony for Seattle's Mercer Street rebuild.

 

Full story at: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012845258_fastrail09m.html

Progress Rail to establish locomotive assembly plant in Indiana

 

On Friday, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and Progress Rail Services Corp. officials announced Progress Rail plans to create a locomotive manufacturing facility in Muncie. The company expects to operate the facility through a new subsidiary.

 

A Caterpillar Inc. subsidiary, Progress Rail plans to spend about $50 million to open the assembly plant — the first locomotive assembly facility in the United States in many years — sometime in 2012, according to the company. The plant will be established in a 740,000 square-foot facility formerly occupied by ABB Power T&D Co., which closed in 1998.  Progress Rail plans to build a locomotive test track on the facility's 75-acre campus.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=24911

Hundreds of jobs coming to Muncie

 

Progress Rail Services announced Friday that it will create 650 jobs in the former ABB plant on Muncie's southwest side.

 

By KEITH ROYSDON

[email protected]

 

MUNCIE -- Come next year, hundreds of Delaware County residents could be working on the railroad.

 

State and local officials gathered Friday to announce that an Alabama-based company and subsidiary of Caterpillar will manufacture railroad locomotive engines on the city's southwest side -- with a workforce of 650 by 2012.

 

In the shadow of the landmark former Westinghouse/ABB facility on Cowan Road, Gov. Mitch Daniels and other local officials announced that Progress Rail Services will occupy the huge former power transformer plant.

 

Full story at: http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201010300332

Seems like Ohio is surrounded!

 

 

ILLINOIS

 

Illinois provides $12 million for new Nippon Sharyo rail-car plant

Yesterday, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced a $12 million state business investment package for Nippon Sharyo U.S.A. Inc. to help support the company’s $35 million investment to establish a rail-car manufacturing facility in Rochelle, Ill.

 

The rail-car builder plans to construct a 4,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and relocate its U.S. headquarters to Rochelle from Arlington Heights, Ill. The new facility will enable Nippon Sharyo to meet the Federal Railroad Administration’s Buy America requirements and compete for contracts to assemble high-speed rail cars.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=24825

 

 

 

INDIANA

 

Hundreds of jobs coming to Muncie

Progress Rail Services announced Friday that it will create 650 jobs in the former ABB plant on Muncie's southwest side.

By KEITH ROYSDON

[email protected]

 

MUNCIE -- Come next year, hundreds of Delaware County residents could be working on the railroad.

 

State and local officials gathered Friday to announce that an Alabama-based company and subsidiary of Caterpillar will manufacture railroad locomotive engines on the city's southwest side -- with a workforce of 650 by 2012.

 

In the shadow of the landmark former Westinghouse/ABB facility on Cowan Road, Gov. Mitch Daniels and other local officials announced that Progress Rail Services will occupy the huge former power transformer plant.

 

Full story at: http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201010300332

 

 

 

NEW YORK

 

Amtrak buying 130 new passenger rail cars

To support long-distance train service

$298.1 million contract creates 575 jobs in Elmira, N.Y.

 

            WASHINGTON –    Amtrak is implementing the first step in a long-term, comprehensive fleet renewal plan with the purchase of 130 new single-level rail cars to support its long-distance train services.  The five-year, $298.1 million contract is being awarded to CAF USA which is creating 575 jobs to perform manufacturing and final assembly work at its plant in Elmira, N.Y.  The first car is scheduled to roll off the assembly line in October 2012.

 

            “This major equipment purchase demonstrates our strong belief in the future of intercity passenger rail in America and Amtrak’s leading role in meeting this critical national transportation need,” said President and CEO Joseph Boardman.

 

            The first year of the five-year contract will be paid for with $29.8 million from Amtrak’s current revenues which are running above budget estimates due, in part, to ridership that is on a record-breaking pace.  Amtrak will seek to fund subsequent years of the contract with other sources such as loans or direct Congressional appropriations.

 

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/Page/1237608337144/1237608345018?passedYear=2010

 

 

 

PENNSYLVANIA

 

Bombardier partners with Carnegie Mellon

 

Carnegie Mellon University and Bombardier Corp. are founding partners in a plan to open a $2.2 million research center this fall known as the Pennsylvania Smart Infrastructure Incubator (PSII), to study critical technology areas in a search “more efficient and sustainable civil infrastructure and transit operations.”

 

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a providing a “significant” economic development grant for the project.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/bombardier-carnegie-mellon-team-up-on-research-center.html

 

 

 

WISCONSIN

     

Spanish train maker picks Milwaukee for plant site

By Dinesh Ramde

 

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A Spanish train company that agreed to build an assembly plant in Wisconsin said Tuesday it has chosen a site in Milwaukee, creating about 125 new jobs in the city.

 

Talgo Inc. chose Milwaukee over other options in Appleton, Janesville and Racine because of the city's access to a harbor and local rail station, the availability of skilled workers and the reasonable cost of living, said Antonio Perez, the company's chief executive.

 

The new facility will be on the site of a former Tower Automotive plant. Perez said it has enough room to accommodate train sets of 14 rail cars and also allows room for expansion as more orders roll in.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_TALGO_TRAINS?SITE=AZTUS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

 

 

Here's an Amtrak supplier in Ohio that gotten eaten by a bigger fish in another state. EDIT: According to Amtrak, Swiger earned $1,339,357 worth of business from the passenger rail carrier in 2008 (the most recent data I have)....

 

November 8, 2010

Swiger Coil acquired by Pennsylvania company

By DAN SHINGLER

3:19 pm, November 8, 2010

 

Cleveland-based Swiger Coil has been acquired for an undisclosed sum by Wilmerding, Pa.-based Wabtec Corp., Swiger announced today.

 

Both companies manufacture traction motors and electric coils used in rail applications and the transaction will result in a single company with an expanded product line, said Wabtec president and CEO Albert Neupaver.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20101108/FREE/101109853

The Ohio Manufacturer's Association steps up on the passenger rail debate...

 

Full story at:http://www.ohiomfg.com/communities/leadership/archive/2010/invest-in-passenger-rail-grow-ohio-manufacturing/

Global passenger car market roughly $39B by 2015   

Wednesday, December 01, 2010 

 

Lucintel, a Dallas-based management consulting and marketresearch firm, announced Wednesday that it has completed a research study showingthat the global passenger railcar market grew a compound annualrate of 9.1% during the period 2004-2009 and well see double-digit growthwith sales reaching $ 39.1 billion by 2015.

 

 

Full story at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/global-passenger-railcar-market-estimated-at-39b-by-2015.html

 

Here is the full news release from Lucintel:

 

http://www.lucintel.com/press_rail_composites_industry.asp

 

Global Passenger Rail Market Expected to Reach $ 39.1 Billion by 2015

 

Dallas - December 21, 2009 - The number of passenger railcars produced annually has increased from roughly 3,873 units in 2004 to 5,974 units in 2009.  The passenger rail market has grown at a CAGR of 9.1% by value over 2004 to 2009 and the global passenger rail market is expected to reach $ 39.1 billion by 2015.  Lucintel, a leading global management consulting and market research firm with over 1000 clients worldwide, has analyzed the  global passenger rail market and has now published a comprehensive research report entitled "Global Passenger Railway Market  2010 - 2015: Market Size, Share and Growth Forecast".

 

As per the study, Europe will remain leader in the overall region and Asia pacific will be second larger because of the higher growth in that region and North America is likely lose their market because of the growing popularity of personal cars there. China will emerge as the largest high speed train market in coming 5 years.

 

Passenger rail market is primarily dependent on the economy and passenger-kilometer, as it will increase so does rail market. As Asia has the largest passenger-kilometer and their economies are reforming faster than the other economies as well so rail market future will be much better in the Asian countries. The growth of high speed trains in China, Korea & Japan and metro trains in India at Delhi and upcoming ones in Bangalore and Mumbai will drive passenger rail market in Asia.

 

Lucintel's analysis finds that environmental concerns, developing economies, noise and congestion by personal vehicles will lead passenger rail market in the future.

 

Lucintel's research report contains Executive Summary, Passenger Railway Industry: Past, Present & Future, Passenger Railway Market: Global Analysis, Passenger Railway Market: Regional Analysis, Passenger Railway Market: Trends and Forecasts, Passenger Railway Market: Industry Leaders, Growth Opportunities for Passenger Rail Market and more.  This insightful report can help you make confident business decisions in this globally competitive marketplace.

 

For a detailed table of contents and pricing information on this timely and insightful report, please contact helpdesk at +1-972-636-5056 or via email at [email protected]. Lucintel provides cutting edge decision support services that help you make critical decisions with greater speed, insight and cost-efficiency. To find out more, visit www.lucintel.com.

 

GE enters joint venture with China company    

Tuesday, December 07, 2010 

 

General Electric Co. Tuesday said it has reached “a cooperative framework agreement with CSR Corp. Ltd. to establish a U.S.-based joint venture to advance high speed and other rail technology in the U.S.” GE said the partnership represents an investment of approximately $50 million in the joint venture, with the potential to sustain or create 250 U.S. jobs by 2012 for the first phase of the agreement.

 

GE claims the GE Transportation-CSR joint venture is the first U.S. manufacturer ready to supply high speed rail (HSR) passenger trains for the two proposed true U.S. HSR corridors in Florida and California. But the venture also would pursue manufacturing opportunities for conventional passenger trains and rail transit vehicles within the U.S.

 

Full stoy at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/ge-sets-cooperative-framework-with-china-company.html

Talgo Train Manufacturing In Milwaukee To End In 2012

Federal Government Taking Back Money For Rail In Wisconsin

 

POSTED: 1:54 pm CST December 10, 2010

UPDATED: 6:49 pm CST December 10, 2010

 

MILWAUKEE -- One day after Wisconsin lost its funding for high-speed rail, train maker Talgo said it will shut down it's Milwaukee manufacturing plant in early 2012.

 

The company said, with no Wisconsin high-speed rail line, there will be no trains to build and no way to keep that facility up and running.

 

The assembly work on Talgo trains has just begun, but suddenly the company's Milwaukee manufacturing operation is facing the end of the line.

 

Read more at: http://www.wisn.com/news/26091945/detail.html

^Not even in office yet, and the governor-elect of Wisconsin too has destroyed jobs.  Those jobs are tangible, though, so hopefully, Wisconsinites will get the message that rail means jobs.  Ohio's jobs hadn't been created yet, so it's less tangible here.

Locomotive Plant starts hiring

 

Progressive Rail Services will employ 650

 

By Keith Roysdon • Muncie Star Press •

December 28, 2010

 

MUNCIE, Ind. -- One of the most anticipated east-

central Indiana employers in decades has begun

advertising for new hires.

 

Progress Rail Services, the Alabama-based division

of Caterpillar that will employ 650 people in a

railroad locomotive plant on Muncie's southwest

side, has posted openings for welders and other

positions.

 

"They have 70 welder positions they're looking to

fill right now," said Tracy Dishman of WorkOne, the

state's employment division. The jobs are listed on

WorkOne's www.indianacareerconnect.com website.

 

Full story at: http://www.pal-item.com/article/20101228/NEWS01/12280319

Passenger railcar orders remain strong   

Tuesday, January 04, 2011 

 

Railway Age’s annual survey shows that 1,129 passenger railcars were delivered to operators in the U.S. and Canada in 2010. That was just 12 cars shy the 1,141 that the magazine reported were ordered in 2009, which itself was the highest level of deliveries since 2002.

 

Railway Age Managing Editor Douglas John Bowen, who conducted the survey, said carbuilders on Jan. 1 had a backlog of 3,488 passenger railcars of all types on order,  with the prospect of picking up an additional 1,599 new orders in 2011.

 

Read more at:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/passenger-railcar-orders-remain-strong.html

GE Transportation to recall 280 workers

By JIM MARTIN

[email protected]

 

Shaun Francis, a human resources official at GE Transportation, offered a simple explanation in September 2009 of the company's plan to eliminate 1,480 positions.

 

"We didn't have work for people to turn wrenches," he said at the time.

 

Today, more than 16 months later, there are wrenches that need turning. Orders are coming in, and the employees are coming back.

 

The Lawrence Park Township-based business unit of the Fairfield, Conn.-based General Electric Co. announced Thursday that it planned to recall 280 hourly employees on a permanent basis.

 

Full story at: http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110204/NEWS02/302039860