L.B. Foster Awarded Rail Contract for CRANDIC Track Upgrade

JOC Staff |
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pittsburgh, PA-based L.B. Foster Company (Nasdaq: FSTR) was awarded a contract by Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway (CRANDIC) to provide approximately 1,000 tons of 115# standard rail for the upgrade of aging track, and for the construction of a new 10,000-ft siding for a unit train interchange. An L.B. Foster weld train will deliver 54,450 linear feet of continuous welded rail (CWR) in February 2011 for track rehabilitation as required for the upkeep of 60 miles of mainline rail and 40 miles of yard track. L.B. Foster Company has also provided 82,000-ft of CWR to the CRANDIC in 2009.

The new rail was manufactured in lengths of 240 feet by L.B. Foster's strategic partner, Steel Dynamics, Inc. (SDI) of Columbia City, Indiana, and then welded into 1,650 foot sections at their rail welding facility. The welding of rail strings began on January 24th and proceeded quickly to accommodate an expedited shipping schedule in early February. L.B. Foster personnel will coordinate the transport and unloading of the train to meet the ambitious delivery date. Managing a CWR shipment with our own company weld train allows L.B. Foster to expedite delivery and meet critical project deadlines, said Joe Mahoney, L.B. Foster Regional Sales Manager.

The Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway Company is a 108 year old Class III railroad operating in four East Central Iowa counties.

About L.B. Foster Company
L.B. Foster Company is a leading manufacturer, fabricator and distributor of products and services for the rail, construction, energy and utility markets with locations in North America, Europe and Asia. The Rail Products Group of L.B. Foster Company markets new rail and accessories, used rail (relay rail), crane rail, direct fixation fastener systems, conductor rail systems, rail boot systems, two-block tie systems, insulated rail joints, rail lubrication systems, trackwork materials, rapid response/emergency track panels and experienced professional rail project management services worldwide. Website: www.lbfoster.com