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Interested in what's happening at Union Tank Car? Check here for current updates and press releases.
When you visit the new UTLX Manufacturing, Inc., plant in Alexandria, La., you’ll see rows of gleaming ebony tank cars awaiting delivery (Fig. 1) and a massive manufacturing space filled with workers, equipment, and dozens of tanks in various stages of assembly. However, you won’t see any vats of chemicals awaiting use or containers of spent chemicals. That’s because this new plant only uses digital x-ray equipment, with its resultant benefits of real-time, easier-to-analyze results, fewer environmental issues, and space savings.
With the objective of returning UTLX railcars to our customers on an even-more timely basis, Union Tank Car continues to expand and improve our North American network of maintenance and repair capabilities. But with FRA mandated deadlines for tank car qualifications just around the corner, we will only be able to realize these efficiencies with our customers’ direct involvement and support.
Through proactive preplanning, shippers can ensure the availability of tank cars to meet the requirements of their customers, while at the same time helping the repair business unit level shop workloads.
In the link below, read about how we are working with our customers to avoid the qualification crunch.
W. L. Snelgrove
Vice President – Sales & Customer Service
June 6, 2007 - Link Net Not Just for Customers
Our on-line resource Link-Net has made great strides since we first introduced it nine short years ago. Over that time, e-Business Director Bill Hansen has personally met with numerous UTLX customers to demonstrate how Link-Net’s capabilities and functions can help them to better manage their fleets.
But, Link Net is not just for customers, it’s a tool all of us at Union Tank Car should be familiar with and utilize to perform our jobs more effectively and efficiently. If you don’t have a password, need to ask a question, or would like to make a suggestion for improvement, Bill-e is your man. You can contact him at
In the link below, read about the on-going improvements and customer-driven features that have made our website the gold standard for the industry.
W. L. Snelgrove
Vice President – Sales & Customer Service
March 1, 2007 - BNSF Private Equipment Registration System
BNSF has introduced a new Private Equipment Registration system for infrastructure planning purposes, and also serving as OT-5 authority for cars subject to OT-5. Lessees will be required to register their private cars that load on the BNSF. Registrations should be completed by March 31, 2007. Read article...
September 15, 2006 - Cotton Fields to Tank Cars
On what was once a 122-acre cotton field outside of Alexandria, Louisiana is now the world's most advanced tank car manufacturing facility.
With a planned production of 70 cars a week - one tank car every working hour - UTLX Alexandria is raising not only the speed of manufacturing, but quality and safety too.
With production at the plant "sold out" into 2008, the "tank car people" take great pride in UTLX's most recent commitment to the industry and their customers. Read article...
August 21, 2006 - Dedicated mobile repair service continues to gain popularity
Union Tank Car's dedicated mobile repair service continues to gain popularity with customers from coast to coast. They value having UTLX rail car maintenance expertise at their plant locations, keeping railcars on the tracks and out of repair shops.
By clicking on the link below, you can read a detailed account of how Georgia Gulf, with a fleet of 4,000 cars, uses UTLX on-site service to save valuable time when tank car and covered hopper availability is at a premium. In today's marketplace, a railcar not being utilized is product not being shipped. On-site service also offers the bonus of daily inspections and maintenance, significantly reducing the frequency of cars being bad-ordered by the railroad. Read article...
The Dow Chemical Company, Union Pacific and Union Tank Car Company concluded meetings this week where leaders of the three companies reaffirmed their commitment to safe and secure rail transportation of chemicals.
Dow, Union Pacific, and Union Tank Car assembled a joint project team to drive forward a process for the development of a next-generation rail tank car for highly hazardous chemicals. Read article...
July 17, 2006 - UTLX Repair Shop is Star Site of OSHA Cowboy Voluntary Protection Program
Chicago, IL - Union Tank Car Company’s Evanston, Wyoming Repair Shop has been approved by Wyoming OSHA for Star Status in the Cowboy Voluntary Protection Program (CVPP) at the highest level of participation. The Star Program recognizes employers that have implemented an effective occupational safety and health program that includes the active participation of all employees. Read article...
June 23, 2006 - Union Tank Car’s Alexandria Louisiana Manufacturing Plant is Operational.
Chicago, IL - UTLX Manufacturing, Inc. has proven its ability to manufacture quality railroad tank cars at its new facility in Alexandria, Louisiana. “Currently we have about a dozen completed 30,000 gallon cars on hand that have passed final inspection and are qualified for service,” said Blaise Horban, Director of Operations. “The two-car-per-day rate of production is a level that allows us to ensure the absolute quality of every car while we train new TANK CAR PEOPLE to work safely. Product quality and work safety are the highest of our start up goals.” Read article...
June 22, 2006 - Customer Rohm and Haas levers its partnership
Customer Rohm and Haas levers its partnership with UTLX to maximum advantage.
The combination of a creative sale/leaseback structure and a stronger, safer monomer tank car design allows Rohm and Haas to concentrate on its core competencies, producing and shipping chemicals. Read article...
Wallace Wireless and Operation Respond Introduce, Operation Respond's OREIS Mobile: On-Scene Access to Critical Hazardous Materials Data, for First Responders during Transportation Incidents.
First-to-market wireless solution, to provide critical hazardous materials data and on-scene guidance to First Responders to transportation accidents and incidents, with secure, integrated access to lifesaving guidance - anytime, anywhere. Read article...
January 13, 2006 - Union Tank Car Company hires for Alexandria plant
Union Tank Car Company help wanted ads will begin to appear in Central Louisiana newspapers on Sunday, January 15. Click here for more information.
October 24, 2005 - New FRA Safety Advisory
The FRA has released a Safety Advisory regarding time-sensitive shipments. This references the latest version of AAR Circular Letter OT-55-H. Click here to view this advisory.
September 28, 2005 - UTLX Employees Across the Country Join Katrina Relief Effort.
President Frank Lester shows off a check for $25,000 that Union Tank Car has sent to Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. Frank wrote in a letter to the Governor, “Your friends at Union Tank Car are holding you in our highest thoughts and prayers. Please accept the enclosed check to assist the Louisiana families whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina.” Click here for the complete story and many more.
September 2, 2005 - Flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina may cause damage to railway equipment.
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Railroad Administration has already received field reports of freight cars which have been in flooded areas and which have confirmed or suspected submerged journal bearings. Please click here for details of FRA requirements.
August 2, 2005 - Freight car lessors need a stronger voice.
Chicago, IL – The Private Car Owner Alliance – 11 members of the Railway Supply Institute who own and lease freight cars – has joined with the North America Freight Car Association (NAFCA) and the National Coal Transportation Association (NCTA) in asking the Association of American Railroads for broader representation on the AAR committees that make decisions affecting railroad freight car owners. Click here for the complete article.
Railway Age, July, 2005. Used with permission.
May 13, 2005 - Jim Shirvinski Named Manufacturing Vice President.
Chicago, IL – Jim Shirvinski has been promoted to Vice President of Manufacturing for UTLX Manufacturing, Inc. Initially, he will be responsible for construction of the new tank car manufacturing plant at Alexandria, LA. When the Alexandria Plant is operational, Shirvinski will be responsible for its daily manufacturing activities as well as for production at the two manufacturing operations at the UTLX plant at Sheldon, TX. The manufacturing plant in East Chicago, IN and McKenzie Valve Manufacturing in McKenzie, TN – along with Shirvinski – will report directly to General Manager Lou Kulekowskis. Click here for the complete article.
April 5, 2005 - Steel Going Up at UTLX Manufacturing Site.
Chicago, Illinois – Since UTLX Manufacturing’s ceremonial ground breaking for its Alexandria expansion almost four months ago, very little construction progress has been visible from Cappel Road or Route 1. That’s because much of the initial effort has been in preparation of the site. Between the rain showers, local contractor, Gilchrist, has hauled in roughly 200,000 cubic yards of red dirt so far to level the property. Much more fill is still required to establish the proper grade for the 800,000 square foot facility that is projected to be producing railroad tank cars by this time next year. Click here for the complete article.
February 16, 2005 - summary of the federal register notice regarding reflectorization
This article deals with the federal register notice regarding reflectorization of rail freight rolling stock. This applies to tank cars as well as other rail cars, and has a 10 year phase-in period. Click here to view the final rule.
Union Tank Car Company and Kelso Technologies have entered into a five-year Joint Marketing and Development Agreement to manufacture and market Kelso's patented JS SRV line of pressure relief valves. The Agreement encompasses all aspects of valve development and manufacturing, as well as marketing, technical support, and service. Click here to view the news release or here to view the valve.
January 4, 2005 - Training for Emergency Response Workers
Tank Car People,
One of our corporate goals is to be the information source to our industry. Toward that objective, our company participates in the education of emergency response workers across the country.
In the attached article, which you can access via the link below, three UTLX tank cars were refurbished by the Firefighters Education and Training Foundation. These cars joined over two dozen others in a program that has trained more than 5,000 firefighters annually, helping keep our communities safer and lessen the risk associated with each call they receive.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe 2005.
Bill Snelgrove
Vice President - Sales & Customer Servicehttp://www.utlx.com/TA/SafetyTrain-1-3-2004.pdf
June 22, 2004 - Union Tank Car Will Build New Louisiana Manufacturing Plant
Union Tank Car Company will build a new railroad tank car manufacturing facility near Alexandria, Louisiana. When fully operational in 2006, the plant will have the capacity to produce as many as 70 tank cars per week.
November 25, 2003- Industry-Leading Safety from UTLX - Picket Fence Decaling
The list of Union Tank Car “firsts” reaches back over 100 years. This Trans-Action magazine article details our recent industry-leading initiative of “conspicuity” decaling.
This safety measure, also known as “picket fence” decaling, has helped reduce night times trucking accidents by over 20%.
That’s good enough for UTLX to migrate that initiative to the railcar industry.October 1, 2003- Bolster Inspections
EW-5194... Cars with Mexican bolsters found on EW-5194 must have bolsters replaced by 9-30-03.
EW-5197....Cars on EW-5197 must be inspected by 12-31-03. Mexican bolsters can remain in service for 12 months if no defects are found, based on the AAR Procedure for Direct Visual Inspection of National Castings of Mexico Bolsrer Castings.August 29, 2003- FULL-PORT low-profile outlet valve now being produced
Union Tank Car Company and McKenzie Valve and Machining Company are pleased to announce that we are now producing and marketing the FULL-PORT low-profile bottom outlet valve.
July 31, 2003 - Frank Lester comments in Railway Age Article
Railway Age Magazine asked Frank Lester to address tank car safety in its guest forum, "SupplySide," for the July issue. Frank used his time in the limelight to recognize the concerted efforts and the resources that the tank car industry continues to commit to safety. The cooperation of shipper associations, builders, owners, lessors, and the railroads over more than 30 years has been fantastic. But the improving safety record is the story.
July 18, 2003 - ORI and UTLX sign licensee agreement
Operation Respond has signed a license agreement with Union Tank Car to provide detailed information about railroad tank cars to emergency responders. The agreement allows Operation Respond to utilize information contained in the Union Tank Car Blue Book in the development of tools and technology for emergency responders.
Chicago, IL - The trade union representing the hourly workforce at Union Tank Car Company's East Chicago, IN tank car manufacturing plant has approved a new three-year contract.
August 20, 2001- UTLX Mini-Track Provides Bayer with Quick Relief for Transportation Headaches
When you manufacture the world's most recognized pain reliever, you understand the importance of a name you can trust. That's why after almost two decades of using Union Tank Car's Houston-area mobile repair service, Bayer's Baytown, Texas, facility added an in-plant UTLX mini track to service every polyurethane tank car in the fleet of 650 - regardless of the car's owner.
August 20, 2001- UTLX Sweats the Details to Help Stepan Maximize its Shipping Efficiency
Union Tank Car engineers work with a team at Stepan to design the "perfect" Optimiser® car for polyol.
Union Tank Car customers BP in Texas City, and Pasadena, Texas; Bayer in Baytown, Texas; and Tesoro in Anacortes, Washington, were recently awarded the Stewardship Trophy from the BNSF Railroad and they all send their thanks to UTC.
June 15, 2001- New President Appointed at Procor Limited
Ronald W. Waye has been appointed President of Procor Limited, Union Tank Car's sister company, headquartered in Oakville, Ontario.
June 5, 2001- New Reports Help UTLX Lessees Monitor Out-of-Service Cars
Union Tank Car Company, and its Canadian affiliate, Procor, have implemented two railcar fleet intelligence tools to help UTLX lessees make utilization decisions when their tank car or plastics hopper is shopped for maintenance, repair or testing. The daily Shop Status Report pushes current progress data to you via E-mail or fax. And, when your car is ready, the Release from Shop Document is automatically generated to advise of the car's return to service.
March 7th - Bill Hansen named Director of e-business
Bill Hansen has been named Director of e-Business for Union Tank Car Company. In this new position he will oversee and promote the on-going development and utilization of the company's Internet site, www.utlx.com, including Link-Net, a proprietary, password-protected library of rail car fleet information available exclusively to Union Tank Car's customers
March 6th - Rick Holcomb named Director of UTIL-I-FAX
Rick Holcomb has been named Director, UTIL-I-FAX, and Leasing Administration, for Union Tank Car. In this new position he takes responsibility for the industry's premier railcar subleasing service while retaining his present marketing and administrative duties for the Company's fleet of railroad tank cars and plastics hopper cars.
January 1, 2001 - UTC Headquarters Moves
Union Tank Car's home office has leased approximately 50,000 square feet on the 21st floor of the 175 West Jackson Building nicknamed "The Giant." The historic and architecturally significant building is currently undergoing a major renovation.
EXSIF Worldwide, an affiliate of Union Tank Car Company, has agreed to purchase the intermodal tank container leasing business of Transamerica Leasing, Inc.
Scott Bowles has been promoted to the newly-created position of fleet services coordinator at Union Tank Car's Chicago headquarters.
Union Tank Car Company has purchased the Plas-Chem line of protective coatings and paints from East Texas Coatings, Inc. Frank D. Lester, Union Tank Car president, made the announcement.
James K. Doty has been promoted to the position of vice president, railcar marketing for Union Tank Car Company. The announcement was made by Frank D. Lester, president.
Thomas G. Biscan has been promoted to the position of customer service representative in our Midwest Regional sales office in Chicago. Tom previously worked in Union Tank Car's Human Resources department as Employee Benefits Representative.
September 30, 1999 - Frank Lester Returns to Union Tank Car
CHICAGO, IL - Frank Lester has been promoted to the position of president of Union Tank Car. He succeeds Ken Fischl who will continue his responsibility for Union Tank Car, Procor Limited and other transportation-related companies as group vice president of The Marmon Group of companies. Frank has been president of Procor in Oakville, Ontario, since 1994.
CHICAGO, IL - David P. Murawski has been appointed regional sales manager for Union Tank Car Company's Midwest region. From the Chicago office, Murawski will be responsible for the lease and sale of Union Tank Car's full line of railroad tank cars and plastics hoppers in eleven states.
CHICAGO, IL - Greg Bewley has been promoted to the position of sales representative for Union Tank Car Company's Midwest Regional sales office located in Chicago. In this position he has responsibility for the sale or lease of railroad tank cars and plastic pellet hoppers to shippers in eleven states.
April 21, 1999 - Union Tank Car Acquires EXSIF
April 1999 - Union Tank Car Company has acquired EXSIF SA, a major lessor of ISO tank containers, and its U.S. subsidiary, EXSIF, US. The acquisition gives Union Tank Car an immediate presence in the intermodal marketplace and a new product line that can benefit its existing customers that ship bulk liquids and compressed gasses overseas.
Rail Car Switching Safety Program Offered
In-plant railcar switching is the subject of a new safety program that has been developed by Union Tank Car Company in conjunction with NATLSCO, a Division of Kemper Insurance Company, and the Illinois Safety Council. The program is designed to teach plant switching safety fundamentals to a crew in about four hours.
Dow Stresses Fleet Safety with Acoustic Emission Testing
When it comes to quality assurance, Dow Chemical Company superintendent of North American rail services Floyd Bengston, Jr. always looks for the best technology. That's why Dow is a major advocate of acoustic emission (AE) testing. This ultra-sensitive test monitors elastic strain waves induced into an object to locate even the smallest irregularities.
Hoechst Celanese Keeps the Heat on Formaldehyde Shipments
Union Tank Car's Sheldon, Texas, facility combines manufacturing and coating capabilities to meet customer's unique insulation requirements. Formaldehyde is a hot commodity -- at least when Hoechst Celanese ships it to customers.
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