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MEDIA CONTACT	ED WHALEN
TEL.	(312) 928-0856
FAX	(312) 928-0890
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	August 30, 2004

Johnstown America delivers 360 BethGon® II coal cars to NIPSCO

Johnstown, Pennsylvania, August 30, 2004 - Johnstown America Corporation will complete delivery of 360 BethGon® II coal gondola cars this month to Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO). The three 120-car unit train sets of BethGon II cars expand the NIPSCO fleet to 1,730 cars. The cars are used to carry coal from the Illinois Basin, Powder River Basin and Pennsylvania coalfields to power generation facilities in northern Indiana. The cars are being leased to NIPSCO by General Electric Railcar Services Corporation.

Bob Williams, NIPSCO's transportation principal, said, "These cars are needed to meet our need to have a modern, efficient and cost effective fleet to carry fuel to our plants which in turn supply reliable power to all our valued customers." NIPSCO, with headquarters in Merrillville, Ind., is one of the 10 energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). With nearly 700,000 natural gas customers and 430,000 electric customers across the northern third of Indiana, NIPSCO is the largest natural gas distribution company, and the second largest electric distribution company, in the state.

Johnstown America's BethGon II is an updated version of the traditional aluminum BethGon railcar, which is the most commonly used coal car in western coal service. The aluminum BethGon, first introduced by Johnstown America in 1985, is a proven design reflecting many years and billions of miles of service. It features lighter tare weight, higher cubic capacity and durability to meet the rigors of long-haul coal train service.

For over a century Johnstown America Corporation has been a leading producer of railcars in North America. Some of the car types JAC designs and builds are aluminum coal cars (it is the industry leader), flat cars, mill gondola cars, intermodal cars, AVC aluminum motor vehicle carriers, and the VersaCoil™ family of steel coil cars.

Johnstown America Corporation is delivering 360 new BethGon II coal gondola cars to Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Merrillville, Ind. The cars are Johnstown America's latest industry-leading design of high capacity aluminum coal gondolas.

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