Ohio-based Cathcart Rail, a freight rail services and transportation company, became Oregon-based Portland & Western Railroad’s (PNWR) running repair agent for car inspection and mechanical services in December across the railroad’s 478-mile footprint.
PNWR selected Cathcart Rail because of its “commitment to the safety of railcars and dedication to getting the job done,” according to PNWR General Manager Scott Boyter.
Cathcart Rail, using a team of 13 carmen and site and regional managers, will handle car inspections and repairs of Federal Railroad Administration and Association of American Railroads defects. Work will be conducted at all of PNWR’s major Oregon yards including in Albany, Eugene, McMinnville, Salem and St. Helens.
PNWR serves lumber, agricultural products and fuel customers in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Genesee & Wyoming, the owner or leaser of more than 100 freight railroads throughout North America, acquired PNWR in 1995.
Founded in 2016, Cathcart Rail is a family owned, Christian values-based company. It operates the largest railcar services network in the United States that includes more than 75 field services locations and 18 repair facilities. Its rail services division operates three shortline railroads and a dozen contract switching and transloading sites and offers services such as railcar storage, track maintenance, and railcar parts.
The company employs nearly 1,000 people in 33 states.