RailAmerica

Phillipsburg Transportation Logistics Center Celebrates First Anniversary

12/16/2008 1:00:00 AM

Since its opening one year ago, 18 jobs have been added in Phillipsburg

PHILLIPSBURG, Kan. (Dec. 17, 2008) – The Transportation Logistics Center (TLC) located in Phillipsburg, Kan., will celebrate its one-year anniversary with an open house for media representatives on Friday, Dec. 19, at the TLC’s offices, which it shares with Phillipsburg-based Kyle Railroad.

The TLC opened in December 2007 to provide support services for nine freight railroads owned by RailAmerica, Inc., one of the nation’s leading short-line and regional railroad operators. Since opening, the TLC has added 18 jobs at the center (the most recent hire was made on Nov. 3). Local Phillipsburg residents filled 11 of the positions, and seven new residents relocated to Phillipsburg.

The TLC administers customer service, operations support and revenue processes for nine RailAmerica railroads, including Kyle Railroad (KYLE), Kiamichi Railroad (KRR), Texas Northeastern Railroad (TNER), Dallas, Garland & Northeastern Railroad (DGNO), Rockdale, Sandow & Southern Railroad (RSS), Point Comfort & Northern Railway (PCN), Bauxite & Northern Railway (BXN), Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad (MNA), and Otter Tail Valley Railroad (OTVR).

RailAmerica established five TLCs across the U.S. and Canada in December 2007. Previously, customer service, operations support and revenue processes were handled by the company’s individual railroads. By establishing regional TLCs, RailAmerica streamlined, improved and standardized processes across all of the company’s properties.

RailAmerica chose to locate its TLC in Phillipsburg due to the town’s high quality of available workforce, quality of life and affordable cost of living, as well as the company’s long-term commitment to participating in, and enhancing, the freight rail system in Kansas. The town’s and state’s enthusiastic support also influenced the company’s decision.

The Phillipsburg TLC staff consists of:

– Thirteen transportation logistics specialists, who perform customer service and operations support

– One rail car control specialist in charge of car hire, car ordering and fleet management (rail cars carry the freight and are hauled by locomotives, also called engines)

– Two revenue specialists, handling switch (moving trains from one track to another), line haul (movement of cargo between two major cities or ports), demurrage (detention of a freight car during loading or unloading beyond the scheduled departure time) and miscellaneous billing

– One collections specialist

– One manager

“It’s been a successful and busy year,” said James Bonner, the Phillipsburg TLC manager. “When the center is complete early next year, over the course of just one day, we will deal with 100 train crews across six states, including Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. But our Phillipsburg team is well prepared to manage this load and provide exceptional service to our customers. We’re looking forward to continuing our success next year.”

OPEN HOUSE DETAILS

When: Friday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.

Where: RailAmerica’s Phillipsburg TLC offices, 38 Railroad Avenue, north end of the building

RSVP: Michelle King (contact details below)

Light refreshments will be served

About RailAmerica, Inc.

RailAmerica is a leading owner and operator of North American regional and short-line railroads. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., the company operates 42 railroads in 27 states and three Canadian provinces, with more than 8,000 miles of track. For more information, visit www.railamerica.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Michelle King

michelle.king@railamerica.com

Office: 904.645.6200

Cell: 904.654.2772