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MEDIA CONTACT |
ED WHALEN |
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TEL. |
(312) 928-0856 |
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FAX |
(312) 928-0890 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
August 03, 2004 |
Johnstown America delivers first aluminum auto carriers to First Union Rail
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, August 3, 2004 - Johnstown America Corporation today announced it is delivering the first production AVC™ aluminum vehicle carriers to First Union Rail. The 200 new technology railcars are being leased to Canadian National Railway.
Jack Thomas, president, First Union Rail, said, "We are pleased to be innovators in the vehicle transportation field by being the first to lease the new AVC cars to CN. With their projected long service life and corrosion-free aluminum superstructure, we are confident the AVC cars will serve CN and its customers well."
Bill Wiles, vice president, automotive for Johnstown America said, noting the practical advantages of the AVC, "Auto shippers will benefit from a softer ride, a wider interior, superior door-edge protection and a rust-free interior. Loading and mechanical employees will favor the easily operated doors that automatically lock open and closed."
The AVC is the newest addition to the North American fleet of multilevel railcars. A significant advancement in railroad industry practice for auto transportation, it has a 50-year interchange life and operates transparently in the National Reload Pool. "Rugged, yet light, the AVC is designed for minimum out-of-service time, further reducing the cost of operation. A longer-term benefit is that through an AAR exemption, the aluminum superstructure never needs recertification over its extended life span," Wiles added.
For over a century Johnstown America Corporation has been a leading producer of railcars in North America. In addition to the AVC, JAC designs and builds aluminum coal cars (it is the world's leading producer), flat cars, mill gondola cars, boxcars, intermodal cars, and the new VersaCoil™ steel coil cars. A subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation, First Union Rail is one of the largest finance and operating lessors of rail transportation equipment in North America.
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AVC™
Aluminum Bi-level Railcar
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General
Dimensions (Approximate)
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| Length over strikers | 90' 0" |
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Width, inside at side sheets |
117" |
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Height, rail to top of "A" deck |
3' 3-1/2" |
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Height, rail to top of "B" deck |
10' 11" |
| Clearance, "A" deck | 89" |
| Clearance, "B" deck | 93-1/4" |
| Lightweight | 82,500 lbs. |
First Union Rail has acquired 200 of Johnstown America's new AVC™ aluminum vehicle carriers for operation by Canadian National. The AVC is a true advancement in railroad industry practice for transporting autos and trucks. It has a 50-year interchange life, runs transparently in the National Reload Pool, and the superstructure never needs recertification.
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