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MEDIA CONTACT	ED WHALEN
TEL.	(312) 928-0856
FAX	(312) 928-0890
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Nov 4, 2003

Johnstown America delivers 1,250 railcars to American Electric Power

Johnstown, Pennsylvania, November 4, 2003 - Johnstown America Corporation today announced its largest car order of the year. It is delivering 1,250 BethGon® II coal gondola cars to American Electric Power (AEP).

Bill Hutzel, Johnstown America's VP of Sales, Eastern Region, said, "AEP is one of our best customers and we are happy they have continued to choose our aluminum gondola car."

Of the cars currently under construction, 875 will be used in Powder River Basin service, operated by BNSF, while the remaining 375 cars will be used to replace older equipment in AEP's fleet.

Tim Stanley, AEP's director, transportation & marketing, said, "This equipment is necessary to meet our need to have a modern, efficient fleet to carry fuel to our power plants and to effectively provide power to our customers."

American Electric Power, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, owns and operates more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States and select international markets. AEP is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, with almost 5 million customers linked to AEP's 11-state electricity transmission and distribution grid.

Johnstown America's BethGon II is an updated version of the traditional BethGon car, which is the most commonly used aluminum coal gondola 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, heavy haul intermodal cars, the new AVC aluminum motor vehicle carrier, and the VersaCoil™ steel coil car.

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