US Railcar
Encyclopedia
US Railcar is a manufacturer of railroad rolling stock
, including passenger cars and diesel multiple unit
s. It was formed in 2009 and is the successor company to Colorado Railcar
after that company shut down in December 2008.
.
On 18 February 2010, US Railcar announced that it and American Railcar Industries had formed a joint venture, dubbed US Railcar Company LLC, to better "design, manufacture and sell Diesel Multiple Units." On 19 November 2010, however, the two companies announced the dissolution of the venture, citing "current market conditions." The National Association of Railroad Passengers
speculated that the cause of the failure of the joint venture was the cancellation of the proposed 3-C passenger corridor in Ohio.
, near the Port Columbus International Airport
, which would be built with a mix of public and private funds. US Railcar applied for a $8.7 million grant from the federal government, but the application was denied. The State of Ohio
has offered the company $3.6 million in financial assistance, and private investment would provide the remainder of the necessary money to build the factory, estimated to cost around $14 million. If constructed, the proposed facility would be around 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²) in size and would be located on thirteen acres (5.3 ha
) of land. It would employ up to 200 people.
engines for propulsion. The single-level railcars have a capacity of 102 people, while the bi-level cars can seat 218. The company also offers unpowered luxury railcars, dubbed the "Ultradome."
Rolling stock
Rolling stock comprises all the vehicles that move on a railway. It usually includes both powered and unpowered vehicles, for example locomotives, railroad cars, coaches and wagons...
, including passenger cars and diesel multiple unit
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
s. It was formed in 2009 and is the successor company to Colorado Railcar
Colorado Railcar
Colorado Railcar was a manufacturer of railroad rolling stock, railcars and diesel multiple unit commuter vehicles. Both products come in single- and double-level versions. It shut down in 2008, with its assets being purchased by US Railcar.-History:...
after that company shut down in December 2008.
History
US Railcar's predecessor, Colorado Railcar, ceased operations on 23 December 2008 because of a "major liquidity problem." The business remained closed until July 2009, when a group of investors, part of the Value Recovery Group (VRG), purchased the assests of Colorado Railcar and renamed the company US Railcar. The new company operated as a subsidiary of VRG, with the headquarters of both companies located in Columbus, OhioColumbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
.
On 18 February 2010, US Railcar announced that it and American Railcar Industries had formed a joint venture, dubbed US Railcar Company LLC, to better "design, manufacture and sell Diesel Multiple Units." On 19 November 2010, however, the two companies announced the dissolution of the venture, citing "current market conditions." The National Association of Railroad Passengers
National Association of Railroad Passengers
The National Association of Railroad Passengers "is the largest national membership advocacy organization for train and rail transit passengers" according to the association's website.- Early history :...
speculated that the cause of the failure of the joint venture was the cancellation of the proposed 3-C passenger corridor in Ohio.
Facilities
US Railcar currently operates no construction facilities; any products ordered from the company would be built by American Railcar under contract. The company plans to construct a facility in Gahanna, OhioGahanna, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 32,636 people, 11,990 households, and 8,932 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,632.8 people per square mile . There were 12,390 housing units at an average density of 999.5 per square mile...
, near the Port Columbus International Airport
Port Columbus International Airport
Port Columbus International Airport , commonly shortened to Port Columbus, is a Class C international airport located east of downtown Columbus, Ohio, USA. It is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which also oversees operations at Rickenbacker International Airport and Bolton Field...
, which would be built with a mix of public and private funds. US Railcar applied for a $8.7 million grant from the federal government, but the application was denied. The State of Ohio
Government of Ohio
The government of the state of Ohio comprises three branches executive, legislative, and judicial. Its basic structure is set forth in the Ohio Constitution.-Executive Branch:...
has offered the company $3.6 million in financial assistance, and private investment would provide the remainder of the necessary money to build the factory, estimated to cost around $14 million. If constructed, the proposed facility would be around 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²) in size and would be located on thirteen acres (5.3 ha
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
) of land. It would employ up to 200 people.
Products
US Railcar offers diesel multiple units in both single- and bi-level versions, as well as unpowered railcars in single- and bi-level versions. The single-level DMUs have a passenger capacity of 94, while the bi-level models can carry 188 passengers. Both types are equipped with two 600 hp Detroit DieselDetroit Diesel
As a corporation, Daimler Trucks North America has decided to rename the company "DETROIT".Detroit Diesel Corporation is an American-based diesel engine producer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, USA...
engines for propulsion. The single-level railcars have a capacity of 102 people, while the bi-level cars can seat 218. The company also offers unpowered luxury railcars, dubbed the "Ultradome."