AAR Announces Watco Transportation Services is Association’s Newest Member
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Aug. 23, 2010 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today announced that Watco Transportation Services Inc., (WTS) has become the association’s newest full member. Established in 1983, the Pittsburg, Kan.-based WTS is the third largest short line operator in the U.S. with 22 railroads spanning 18 states and covering more than 3,700 track miles. As a full member of AAR, WTS will have access to all association services and will be eligible to serve on AAR committees and the AAR Board.
We are delighted to welcome Watco Transportation Services as a full member of the AAR,” said AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger. “The addition of WTS broadens our membership and strengthens our ability to represent our industry effectively before the decision makers that shape policy and law affecting railroads.
“Watco is honored to join the AAR and we look forward to working with, and learning from, our Class I Customers on how best to improve our service to them. We are proud to be a small part of the U.S. rail transportation system and know our membership in the AAR will be rewarding in many, many ways,” said Rick Webb, Watco CEO.
In March of 2008 WTS’s South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad was named the Railway Age Regional Railroad of the Year. Railroads operated by WTS include: the Alabama Southern, Alabama Warrior Railway, Arkansas Southern, Austin Western, Baton Rouge, Boise Valley, Eastern Idaho, Grand Elk, Great Northwest, Kansas & Oklahoma, Kaw River, Louisiana Southern, Mission Mountain, Mississippi Southern, Pacific Sun, Palouse River and Coulee City, Pennsylvania Southwestern, South Kansas and Oklahoma, Stillwater Central, Timber Rock, Vicksburg Southern and Yellowstone Valley Railroads.
WTS is owned by Watco Companies, Inc. (WCI) which also owns Watco Mechanical Services division, operating 14 railcar repair shops, four locomotive shops and 19 mobile mechanical shops. The Watco Transload and Intermodal Services division manages 12 transload facilities, seven warehouses and one intermodal location.
About AAR
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is the world's leading railroad policy, research and technology organization. AAR members include the major freight railroads of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. For more information, visit www.aar.org. Follow us on Twitter: AAR_FreightRail or facebook: www.facebook.com/freightrail.
We are delighted to welcome Watco Transportation Services as a full member of the AAR,” said AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger. “The addition of WTS broadens our membership and strengthens our ability to represent our industry effectively before the decision makers that shape policy and law affecting railroads.
“Watco is honored to join the AAR and we look forward to working with, and learning from, our Class I Customers on how best to improve our service to them. We are proud to be a small part of the U.S. rail transportation system and know our membership in the AAR will be rewarding in many, many ways,” said Rick Webb, Watco CEO.
In March of 2008 WTS’s South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad was named the Railway Age Regional Railroad of the Year. Railroads operated by WTS include: the Alabama Southern, Alabama Warrior Railway, Arkansas Southern, Austin Western, Baton Rouge, Boise Valley, Eastern Idaho, Grand Elk, Great Northwest, Kansas & Oklahoma, Kaw River, Louisiana Southern, Mission Mountain, Mississippi Southern, Pacific Sun, Palouse River and Coulee City, Pennsylvania Southwestern, South Kansas and Oklahoma, Stillwater Central, Timber Rock, Vicksburg Southern and Yellowstone Valley Railroads.
WTS is owned by Watco Companies, Inc. (WCI) which also owns Watco Mechanical Services division, operating 14 railcar repair shops, four locomotive shops and 19 mobile mechanical shops. The Watco Transload and Intermodal Services division manages 12 transload facilities, seven warehouses and one intermodal location.
About AAR
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is the world's leading railroad policy, research and technology organization. AAR members include the major freight railroads of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. For more information, visit www.aar.org. Follow us on Twitter: AAR_FreightRail or facebook: www.facebook.com/freightrail.