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RailAmerica Launches Contract-Switching Business

8/7/2009 12:00:00 AM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (August 10, 2009) – One of the nation’s largest owners and operators of regional and short-line railroads has launched a new contract-switching business to serve industrial customers.

“RailAmerica offers four key benefits to customers in need of a contract-switching provider – extensive experience in railway operations, a strong commitment to safety, rigorous employee training programs and a presence throughout the country,” said Jeff Geary, vice president of the new rail-switching subsidiary.

With contract switching, businesses that have a continuous need for railcar handling engage a third-party supplier to move railcars into, out of and within a manufacturing or distribution facility. In addition to railcar switching, RailAmerica Contract Switching Services (RACS) will offer track maintenance, railcar and locomotive repairs and railcar cleaning.

With its broad geographic reach, RACS can supply on-site staff and equipment quickly and efficiently, decreasing the cost of transporting locomotives, equipment and personnel. The company offers easy access to mechanical facilities, which furnish equipment and make necessary repairs.

For customers already using a third-party provider, RACS will work to ensure a smooth transition to the RailAmerica approach. Services and equipment offered by RACS include:

• Seven-day-a-week coverage
• Flexible range of hours
• On-site managers who work closely with customers
• Railcar inspections to reduce loading dock car rejections
• Railcar and locomotive repair
• Track maintenance and inspection
• Plant personnel assistance
• Computerized yard inventory reports
• Locomotive models selected to meet customer needs
• Car-cleaning equipment
• Maintenance-of-way equipment

RACS will maintain the same high safety standards as RailAmerica’s other operations. RailAmerica boasts one of the top safety records in the business. Last year, 27 RailAmerica railroads received the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s “Jake Award with Distinction,” and a RailAmerica affiliate was the recipient of the Silver Award, which is given by the E.H. Harriman Memorial Awards Institute and is based on low reportable-injury numbers.

For more information about RACS, interested companies should call Mark Bromirski at (860) 291-1702.
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 railroads in 26 states and three Canadian provinces, with more than 8,000 miles of track. RailAmerica is owned by funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, a leading global alternative asset manager with approximately $34.3 billion in assets under management. For more information, visit www.railamerica.com and www.fortress.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Michelle King
michelle.king@railamerica.com
Office: 904.645.6200
Cell: 904.654.2772