theDispatch The newsletter for Watco Companies, LLC and Watco Transportation Services, LLC December 2014, Volume 15, Issue 12

Wisconsin Santa Train provides early Christmas Cheer by Stefan Loeb with Santa, greeted visitors in advance of the steam, as well as the special red and white clad Senior Vice President, Markeing & Strategic Planning city’s annual Holiday Parade shared with the city guest from the North, provided plenty of excite- of Slinger. Burt Mall of the Steam Locomotive ment for young and old alike! On Saturday November 8, the City of Hartford, Heritage Association reported that the event was The Santa train could not have been made Wisconsin, was treated with the presence of two a tremendous success hosting over 600 children possible without the seven enthusiastic sponsors distinguished and parents in only three hours of display – a new for the event that included WSOR/Watco Com- guests; Santa record for attendees for a 1003 led Santa train. panies, Hartford Finishing Inc., DJS Manufactur- Claus and his Young revelers were not only able to meet Santa, ing, Laufer Trucking, Helgeson, Scoop DeVille, special 101 year- but were also rewarded with delicious candy cane Don Crego DDS from Slinger, and the AmericInn old sleigh. The treats. Hotel of Hartford. And of course we cannot forget sleigh in this case Mall and his team spent months preparing 1003 the tremendous efforts of Burt Mall and his team took the form of for service. The locomotive, a 2-8-2 Mikado type, at the Steam Locomotive Heritage Association for restored Soo Line was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1913. restoring and caring for the 1003. steam locomotive In celebration of the locomotive’s 100th number 1003. The birthday, the team performed dozens of event took place duties to get the locomotive under steam on Wisconsin again including running gear inspection and Southern and repair, air compressor valve repair, in- Railroad's main- spection of axle brasses, as well as inserting line through a new electric dynamo, GPS speedometer Santa made a special visit to town with several and other modern day equipment to allow the City of Hartford, Wiscon- WSOR Team- 1003 to run in today’s railroad environ- sin, in caboose pulled by a 101 mates assisting ment. year-old steam engine. Santa in mak- Don Pingel, WSOR road foreman of Photo by Don Pingel ing this event so engines, said that the WSOR was honored special. to help with the event and to provide the Restored Soo Line steam locomotive number 1003 brought Preserved by the Steam Locomotive Heritage communities of Hartford and Slinger a special guest, Santa, to Hartford, Wisconsin, on November Association in Hartford, 1003 and its consist something special for the holiday season. 8th. of cabooses, one filled with elves and the other Indeed, the presence of the 1003 under Photo by Don Pingel Oklahomans excited to board the "Polar Express"

It's hard to say who was more excited to board the "Polar Express" train - by Watco's Stillwater Central (SLWC) the kids or the adults. The excursion, based on the 1985 book by the same locomotives. The trains will run on name, takes passengers from the the rails of the SLWC. Many of the Bristow, Oklahoma, depot on a magi- weekend trips are sold out but there cal hour-long train ride to meet Santa are still seats available. The Eastern at the North Pole. Passengers, not Flyer ran excursion trains early in just the kids, don their pajamas and the year to gauge the interest of the robes for the special holiday ride and communities in passenger rail are treated to a reading of the holiday and the rides sold out within story. Along with the reading, danc- a few days. ing chefs serve cookies and coco to all on board. Top right photo: Santa and one There will be a total of 29 "Polar of his elves visit with a pas- Express" rides which started on No- senger on the "Polar Express". Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb vember 22nd and will be continuing Bottom photo: Three of the spoke to the crowd in Bristow before on until December 28th. The Eastern dancing chefs on the "Polar the "Polar Express" left the depot on Flyer is bringing the "Polar Express" Express" show off their cookies its first trip. to Oklahoma and the cars are pulled before they start their show. theDispatch page 2 December 2014

Record canola crop harvested in Western Australia Smashing records is what Watco's Western Australia Rail (WWAR) team and the CBH Group are all about. Although some wet weather is putting a damper on the harvest, WWAR is estimated to move 8,100,000 tonnes of grain and they are pushing for more. The total crop estimate finishing in 2015 is about 12,100,000 tonnes. Jim Griffiths, WWAR chief operating officer was able to visit CBH Group Board of Directors Chairman Wally Newman at his farm in the Newdegate area in early November to witness to the cutting of the record canola crop. Newdegate is in Western Australia's grainbelt and located in what is called the Albany Zone. The record canola crop follows up a year of records for both CBH and WWAR. WWAR moved more grain to Left photo: Wally Neuman, CBH Board of Directors Chairman (right), his son and New England port than ever before. Griffiths is hoping to break that sheep dog in Wally's paddock in Newdegate. Right photo: A record canola harvest in progress on record again this spring! Newman's land. Birmingham Terminal Railway reaches one year injury-free mark

Alabama's Birmingham Terminal Rail- way (BHRR) Team celebrated their one year injury-free mark on Oc- tober 22. There are currently 128 team members at the BHRR and that one year consisted of 295,00 man-hours. General Manager David Tarwater, said, "That's a huge accomplishment by all of our team members. We will continue to push towards our goal of being injury-free." To celebrate the occasion, a cookout was held for the team members with Tarwater and East Region Director of Operations Bill Richmond manning the grill. The BHRR began operations of the 75.9 mile line in February of 2002. The main commodities shipped on the line are iron ore, coal, and steel sheets and pipe. The railway hooks up with the Port of Birmingham Terminal Team members at the Birmingham Terminal Railway celebrated their one year which barges shipments to the Black Warrior River. The line dates back to injury-free anniversary on October 22. 1878 when it was used to transport coal from the fields to the blasting fur- naces in Ensley, Ala., and Birmingham. man, Joseph Reid, Joshua Harris, Joshua Vines, Justin Hoggle, Justin Mead, Team members at the location who helped reach this goal are: Aaron Keith Owens, Kenneth Olson, Kenneth Smith, Kerry Lloyd, Kevin Boyd, Greene, Andre Williams, Andrea Harville, Antonio Green, Arthur Bradford, Kevin Hampton, Kevin Jeter, Kristopher Colley, Kyle Ratliff, Leslie Pearman, Austin Osborn, Benjamin Tarran, Bobby Garmon Jr, Bobby McFadden, Brad Luke Houston, Mal Moland, Mark Lynn, Mark Perry II, Martin Phillips, Payne, Brandon Williams, Brent Aycock, Carlton Young Jr, Cedric Graham, Martin Strickland III, Mary Reardon, Matthew Davis, Matthew Hutcheson, Charles Layfield, Charles McCarty, Christopher Hammond, Christopher Matthew Morrison, Matthew Tarwater, Megan Gwin, Mem Webb III, Mi- Preuc, Cody Gilliland, Damien Cantrell, Daniel Caine, Daniel Farr, Darrious chael Brown, Michael Gwin, Michael Lavender, Michael Marino, Michael Colley, Darryl Marshall, David Caffee, David Stott, David Tarwater, Derek Milligan, Michael Pollard, Mickey Goodman, Monica Simpson, Montez Ted- Brown, Donald Mixon Jr, Donald Myrick, Dwight Browning, Dylan Hoggle, ford, Nathan Harris, Nicholas Darnell, Nicholas Graham, Nicholas Robbins, Eric Caine, Eugene Stevens, Gary Harville Sr, George Freeman, George Norman Jones, Patrick Smith, Phillip Forrest, Quinchez Marshall, Reginald King, Gilbert Spencer, Howard Green Jr, Jace Fisher, Jacob Bagby, JaCorey Dickens, Ricky Chappell, Robert Boyd, Rodger Isbell, Rodney Gresham, Murray, James Brown, James Crawford, James Lathum III, James Mobley, Ronald Tapley, Roy Jones, Shawn Romine, Ta'Darius Dawson, Tammy Ar- Jared Humphrey, Jeffery Cargill, Jeremiah Williams Jr, Jeremy Hollis, Jeremy buckle, Terry Wall, Thomas Dawson, Timothy Boyd, Timothy Dunn, Tony Williams, Jerome Lawson, Jerry Lowe, Joe Fells, John Castleberry, John Da- Montabana, Ty Furgason, Tyrus White, Warren Sanderson, William Carroll, vis, John Gaither, John Gaither II, John Herron, Joseph Bristow, Joseph Free- William Chase, William Cooper, and William King. Get your wellness checks and your Last biometrics in by December 31, 2014 Chance theDispatch page 3 December 2014 Winter Freeze safety program underway Watco Team Members need to be very We must all “FREEZE out” injuries to careful this winter; they might get ticketed. keep ourselves and our families’ safe – And if they do get ticketed, it can lead to especially through these hectic winter good things. The Winter FREEZE Safety months. Program kicked off November 24th and In addition to the cold weather being a runs through March 31st. In an effort to distraction, it's easy to lose focus at this keep team members focused on safety, "I time of year worrying and thinking about Did It Right" ticket cards will be handed out family issues, holiday bills, gift purchasing when they are caught in the act of perform- and increased family time together. The ing their duties correctly during efficiency kids will be home from school more often, testing. Not only does this reward team there are decorations to put up, household members for their performance, but it also bills seem to increase, and there is more reminds managers to praise correct actions focus on issues of faith, family, and home. as well as correct errors. Team members will It’s easy to let your attention drift a bit, get their tickets punched and can then trade The Grand Elk Railroad's 4002 locomotive leads the way as snow thinking of all those things. The last thing in their tickets for rewards. falls in Elkhart, Indiana. anyone wants is for an accident to hap- The "FREEZE" (Following the Rules Photo by Reese Martin pen and turn a joyous season into a tragic Everyday Ensures Zero Errors) program one that is forever etched in a family's was started to help promote awareness and lies still have us coming home to them each and memory. focus team member concentration to the job at every day. They depend on us to provide for their By identifying, recognizing, and rewarding ex- hand. It is critical that everyone be aware of the well-being and an injury to any of us will certainly cellence, we are aiming to meet the ultimate goal consequences of our actions or inactions while on affect our families, our ability to provide, the com- of eliminating injuries and accidents. Success of the job. Errors on the job can lead to serious, even pany we work for, the Customers we serve, and this program relies on active and enthusiastic par- fatal consequences. We must stay focused and our co-workers who have to “fill the gap” left by ticipation, so Watco Team Members get on board make good decisions at work to ensure our fami- an out-of-work or injured team member. and get your ticket punched! Wooo Shock locomotive gives Santa a lift When Santa visited Wichita, Kansas, on November 28th he left the rein- Christmas music, hay wagon rides, deer at home so they could rest up for the big day and instead, arrived in and a small train for the kids to ride railroad style. Santa rode into the Prairie Pines Christmas Tree Farm aboard on within the tree farm. The farm's the Wooo Shock locomotive to officially kick off the Christmas season. barn is filled with ornaments, fresh There were hundreds of families that came out to pick out Christmas trees, green floral baskets and custom take pictures with Santa, and go for hay rides at the farm. made wreaths of different shapes "The kids loved it," said Jimmy Patterson, Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad and sizes. The only thing missing to (KO) general manager. "They were lined up an hour before the train even complete the total Christmas pack- arrived to get a good view." age was the snow. Although Santa arriving on Wooo Shock was the highlight of the day, "Think of a Norman Rockwell other activities kept the crowd at the tree farm in the Christmas spirit. Other painting – it really was like an old events that day included tree cutting, a live string and brass band playing time Christmas you’d see in black and white movies," said Patterson. The tree farm was celebrating their 40th anniversary of providing this unique Christmas experience. In the past Santa has arrived via fire truck, sleigh, and he has even sky-dived in. Just as the drought affected the Kansas wheat harvest, it also had an impact on the farm's tree production. They were only able to grow about 400 trees on site, and so they had to have some more shipped in to keep up with demand. Patterson, said, “When the KO dedicated the Wooo Shock Locomo- Top photo: Elizabeth Winegarner, tive last March, we committed to 18 mo., granddaughter of KO track using it to not only serve our Cus- inspector Sam Winegarner and Watco Dispater, Delia Winegarner, decides tomers but also as a tool to become Santa may not be all that great yet. better neighbors and partners with Elizbeth's brother Trenton, 5, looks a the communities we work in. This little happier as he poses with the train Santa hopped on board the Wooo Shock locomotive to kick off the Christmas is just another way of fulfilling that at the Prairie Pines Christmas Tree season at at Prairie Pines Christmas Tree Farm in Wichita, Kansas. commitment.” Farm. theDispatch page 4 December 2014

Terminal Team begins first operations in Washington Watco's Terminal Team just expanded their closer to the Rosario Straight which leads to the ducted interviews and screening and helped us footstep into yet another state. On November Pacific Ocean. find the right team members. Watco's Purchasing 17th, the team unloaded their first unit train of "Both the train crews and the transloading Team worked closely with us to make sure we had crude oil in Ferndale, Washington. crews performed flawlessly and with the profes- the right equipment to do the job and the EHS Ferndale is located in the northwest corner of sionalism Watco Teams display everywhere," said (Environmental Health & Safety) Team not only Washington near the Nooksack River but the ter- Sam Ricci, manager of facility support. provided training, but kept the team engaged minal operations are on the west side of the city, Ricci added, "We want to thank everyone that throughout the four week training period. And assisted in the safe start last, but not least, the ”Go Team” for taking the up. From the Business lead with hands-on training and working with Development Team, the new team members throughout the unload who led us to this op- process." portunity to Human The Go Team was instrumental in facilitating Resources, who con- the start-up. The group consisted of several team members from differ- ent locations who shared their knowledge and safety practices. Please welcome the following new team members to our Watco Team: Alexis Pierson, An- drew Ross, Bryan Meyer, Charles Staley, Charles Warner, Christian McVickers, Cody Treloar, Cory Stevenson, Daniel Bragdon, Erik Faiola, Harold Duncan Jr, Jered Ruback, John Shoup, Top left: Aerial view of the Ferndale refinery (the Jordan Williams, Justin crude unloading site can be seen on the far left). Bos, Michael Blusiewicz, Bottom left: Group safety training taught by Don Latimer, Dan Perry, and Dave Echols. Right: First Michael Parker, Michael three rail cars coming down the track with a rail car Pecovish, Parker Helland, mover operated by Ferndale Terminal Manager Bry- Patrick Russell, Quina an Meyer and Wellington (Utah) Terminal Manager Wiebe, Richard Bost, Mark Rice. Rice and several other members from Robert House, Sheldon other terminals were on hand to help with start-up. Gudde, and Thomas Frey.

WINTER HEALTH Watco U holds classes and team building exercises The mention of winter evokes images of sparkling While many universities are getting ready for finals snowflakes and skaters gracefully gliding across the week and December graduation ceremonies, Watco ice. But winter can also be a time of illness and one of U instructors will continue their usual course sched- those that often hits is the "common" cold. More than ule. In November, Watco 101 and TS&IC courses 100 viruses can cause colds so few people escape were held along with team building exercises. being exposed, most people in the U.S. average about December's schedule includes a Watco 101 class three colds per year. Once it enters the body through the nose or throat, the cold virus begins to multiply, being held in Refugio, Texas, and a Primary Values causing any of a number of symptoms: sore throat, Class in Birmingham, Alabama. Team building exer- sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, aches and pains, cises will also be offered at different times throughout mild fever, nasal congestion and coughing. A cold can the month. usually last a week or two. The best way to treat a cold is to take a mild pain Top photo: Recruiting Team Members (l-r) Becky Be- reliever, get as much bed rest as possible and drink audry, recruiter for WSOR, GDLK, and AA railroads; plenty of fluids, especially fruit juices. Over-the-counter Amy Miori, recruiting director; Amanda Smardo, cough and cold remedies may relieve some of the South Region recruiter; Susan Quanstrom, West Region symptoms, but they will not prevent, cure or even recruiter; and Kylie Collier, Central Region recruiter, shorten the course of the illness. take part in a team building exercise. Keep up your natural resistance through good Bottom photo: November 2014 Watco 101 graduates nutrition and getting enough sleep and exercise. Turn (l-r) Stacey Dawson, payroll manager; Brian Spiller, PES your thermostat down and keep the humidity up in your terminal manager; James Gibson, Watco Dock and Rail home. Avoid direct contact with those who have colds manager; John Harrigan, IT SAP director; and Shane and wash your hands frequently. Smith, Pittsburg terminal manager. theDispatch page 5 December 2014

AT C O W December ANNIVERSARIES W O R L D This section is dedicated to the Watco Team Members to give you a chance to share what’s happening in your corner of the Watco World.

Graduations Congratulations to the following team members 5 Years: Robert Aldredge, celebrating their anniversaries! Timothy Eccles, Earl Evans, Raquel Aida Hernandez, granddaughter of George Freeman, Daniel Giacalone, Jose Hernandez, team member at the Jack- 1 Year: Sergio Aguilar, Tanya Beard, Kelsey Berger, Luke Houston, Donyelle Newton, sonville, Florida, mechanical shop; graduating Micheal Berzas, Joey Bitner, Michael Boyanton, Charles Price, Shawn Romine, Eugene Stevens, Summa Cum Laude from the University of Brian Buxton, Andria Calloway, James Casula, Robert Taylor, Montez Tedford, Dillon Thibodeaux, Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology James Clyde, Jason Cooper, David Daughdrill, Joel Wilmoth and a Minor in Family, Youth and Community Navario DeBose, Shannon DeVries, Connie Ebarb, 6 Years: Robert Brown, Randy Canada, Ernest Services. Mathew Eddy, Crystal Fritzemeier, Robert Green- Gonzalez, Weston Hamilton, Steven Harmon, feder, Colin Gribble, Robert Harbour, Kyle Henson, Johnny Jones, Esteban Robles Logan Dawn Falletti, Corey Jones, Hayden Jones, Benjamin Kraus, 7 Years: Pedro Balensia, Jeffery Bland, Misael Watco Communications Kevin Krohn, Ramzi Lakkis, Courtney LaRocque, Cervantes, Kurt Kilgore, Steven Reida, Jeff Wash- Intern, graduating from Matthew Louviere, Brennan Lyons, Brian Maxey, ington, Penny Wood Kansas State Univer- Augustus Maxwell, Tad Mayfield, Gabriel Mc- 8 Years: Eddie Arredondo, Joshua Hargis, Rich- sity, Manhattan, Kansas, Coy, Michael Misegades, Angela Naden, Katie ard Hensley, Peter Mars, Bruce Martin, Transito with Bachelor of Arts in Noorlander, Stephen Potts, Donte Raymond, Pedraza, Rafael Ramirez, Jon Tavernaro Communications/Public Joshua Roberts, David Rooney, Kyle Ross, Alfredo 9 Years: Cedric Bonner, Matt Drake, Michael Kis- Relations with a Minor in Sanchez, Tiffany Schmidt, Nathaniel Schroeder, see, Joe Mercer, Joshua Williams Sociology. Gonzalo Serrato-Sanchez, Courtney Shaw, Dustin 10 Years: Rafael Hernandez, Crezentia Van Bece- Sieve, David Silva, Daniel Smith, Ryan Smith, laere Prentice Washington, Theophus Williams, Joshua 11 Years: Johnnie Brown, Tony Clark, John Ed- Woody wards, Ismael Mondragon 12 year-old rolls for ring 2 Years: Kyle Brown, Genaro Guzman, Stephen 12 Years: Craig Richey, Calvin Turner Howard, Kevin Hudspeth, Michelle Ivey, Jason 13 Years: Roy Buckhalter, Denver Conley, Ernesto Twelve year-old Michael J. Turiano, Jr., Jewell, Brian King, Keith LaCross, Patrick McPhil- Elizondo, Johnny Johnson, David Larch, Larry son of Terri Turiano, team member at the lips, Jennie Morris, Brenna Prestholt, Victor Smith, Lever Hollidaysburg GBW shop, recently bowled Ricky Soto, Scott Titus, Fernando Zelaya 15 Years: Thomas Cooper, Joel Estermyer, Charles his first 300 game. 3 Years: Michael Antoine, Dexter Cahill, Jason Karamales Michael has been bowling since he was Cathey, Christopher Corpe, Hector DeHoyos, Tom 16 Years: Ricky Absher two years old and will DeLafosse, Charles Engels, Brian Grewing, Dana 17 Years: Jason Stutzman, Anthony Tillman be presented a ring Hartleib, Jeremiah Herman, Kurt Koontz, Ryan 19 Years: Bryan Miller, Roger Schaalma commemorating his Krull, Sherene Metoxen, Brent Nettleton, James 20 Years: Mike Carr perfect score. Rader, Samuel Savelkoul, Aaron Snow, Terry Val- 22 Years: John Byrd, Jean Kincade Michael's dad, John, verde, Jerrod Walls, Christopher Walther, Steven 23 Years: Danny Anderes, Robert Washington is a former pro bowler Wisniewski 24 Years: James Horner, Claude McGuff and said he didn't bowl 4 Years: Noland Bailey, Hector Barrientos, Spencer 27 Years: Rodney King, Michael McGinn, Manfred his first perfect game Batton, John Bowers, Jeffery Davis, Mike Gonzales, Nelly, Allen Oltjenbruns until he was 20. Mi- Michael Hancock, Jennifer May, Lisa Powell, Sha- 35 Years: Joseph Escott, John Herron chael is the youngest ron Sexson, David Showalter, Jesse Victoria 44 Years: John Cole ever bowler to hit 300 Michael J. Turiano, in Altoona, Pennsyl- Jr. vania. Michael says now that he's reached this mile- It takes the distance of stone he can relax. "I've proved to myself I can do it," he 18 football fields said. "I don't think that I have to try to hit the 300 mark any more." for an average train to stop Pacific Sun Railroad goes six years injury-free Six years ago Watco began operating it's first relationships with the Customers. Matt has done lines in the Watco system. Their average speed short line railroad in California. Not only does a great job as chief mechanical officer, right now clocks in at about 55 mph. This is due to the fact the state have a reputa- the PSRR is at a zero failure rate on the locomo- that the line is shared with tion for being sunny, it's tives thanks to Matt's expertise. Tyler is the team's commuter trains which go also proving to be a safe peer trainer and is responsible for ensuring all even faster down the line, place as well. Since the team members are aware of, and following, the around 90 mph. The PSRR first day of start-up the safety rules. Another team member is in training Team works on a short PSRR Team hasn't had and should be joining the group soon. time schedule, running an injury. The General Manager James on a 6.5 hour team celebrat- Moore, said, "It takes window two ed this great dedication from all team nights a week milestone on members for us to reach when traveling October 24th. this milestone. Each team to Miramar, Cesar Oglesby James Moore There are member must put safety Calif., and a currently four team members on the first, from when they come five hour window three nights a week PSRR Team: Cesar Oglesby, Matthew on duty to when they go on the trips to Escondido, Calif. Hinojosa, Tyler Pruitt, and James home." The PSRR main commodities Moore. Cesar has been a long-time The trains are a little shipped on the line are corn and engineer and is known for his great Matthew Hinojosa different than most short Tyler Pruitt plastics.

PRST STD the US POSTAGE Dispatch PAID The newsletter for Watco Companies, LLC and Watco Transportation Services, LLC PRADMAR CORP December 2014, Volume 15, Issue 12

315 W. Third Street Pittsburg, KS 66762 www.watcocompanies.com

Arkansas Southern Railroad celebrates nine injury-free years The Arkansas Razorback football team has er, Oklahoma to Waldron, Arkansas. The 30-mile had some pretty exciting wins lately. Beating southern line runs from Ashdown, Arkansas to Louisiana State University and Ole Miss were Nashville, Arkansas. Tyson is the largest Custom- huge accomplishments for the Fayetteville team. er on the ARS and ships in corn and soybeans. Another Arkansas team with an amazing ac- One unique aspect of this team is that most complishment is the Arkansas Southern Railroad of them have worked together for several years. Team. The team recently celebrated going nine Thomas Williams and Steve Westfall have been years injury-free. The short line began operations with the ARS since the start. Billy Barton joined in 2005 so you can do the math and conclude them in 2007 and in 2008 Rendall Thompson Team members on the ARS are: (l-r) Cory Smith, gen- that they have not had an injury since taking and Guy Evans Jr., joined the group. Michael eral manager; Rendall Thompson, Waldron conductor; over operations from the Kansas City Southern Corbell is the new kid on the block and he's been Guy Evans, Jr., Waldron engineer; Thomas Williams, Railway. with them since 2011. Michael is the trainmaster Nashville engineer; Billy Barton, roadmaster, and Mi- The ARS is made up of two separate lines, the and Cory Smith was named general manager of chael Corbell, trainmaster. Not pictured, Steve West- 32-mile northern branch runs east from Heaven- the team in 2012. fall, Nashville conductor.