Steel Dynamics, Inc. announced that its Structural and Rail Division at Columbia City, Ind., will supply 28,500 net tons of continuous welded rail (CWR) to its strategic rail distributor, Pittsburgh-based L.B. Foster Co., for a rail project in New England.
The rail will be used by New England Central Railroad (NECR), an operating subsidiary of RailAmerica, Inc., for the "Vermonter" project. To be completed by mid-2012, this project is to improve Vermont's state-supported Amtrak service in this region on a continuing basis. Funding of the project, a part of the Federal Railroad Administration's High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program, was awarded to the State of Vermont from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Steel Dynamics is supplying rail to upgrade approximately 140 miles of NECR track, which will help to improve the speed of intercity passenger service and add capacity for freight carloads.
"Steel Dynamics' role is to provide the highest-quality standard rail possible in the longest lengths possible,” commented Paul Kotsenas, Steel Dynamics’ Manager of Rail and Special Products. “SDI is producing the 115RE Standard Strength rail in 240-foot lengths and welding these rail sections into 1600-foot continuous strings at our weld plant adjacent to the rail mill."
The first of the trainloads of welded rail are being loaded onto L.B. Foster's specially equipped CWR trains. The completed order will incorporate eighteen trainload shipments of welded rail to be delivered by mid-2011 for installation at various locations throughout Vermont.
L.B. Foster manages the trackside off-loading of the rail. "The convenience of our own weld train and our jobsite-management capabilities help to expedite deliveries and minimize off-loading time along this busy route," said Greg Lippard, Vice President, L.B. Foster Rail Sales.
Steel Dynamics recently completed a $1.2-million upgrade of its rail testing and inspection unit. The company also is embarking on a $17.5-million capital improvement project to streamline processing in the rail mill finishing area.
Based in Pittsburgh, Pa., L.B. Foster Co. provides materials and services for the construction and maintenance of transportation, utility, and other infrastructure projects.
RailAmerica, Inc. owns and operates short line and regional freight railroads in North America, operating a portfolio of 40 individual railroads with approximately 7,300 miles of track in 27 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.