theDispatch The newsletter for Watco Companies, LLC and Watco Transportation Services, LLC November 2015, Volume 16, Issue 11 Austin Western Railroad selected Watco's Customer as BNSF's Shortline of the Year Appreciation event hits record numbers by Tracie VanBecelaere growing aggregate traffic, which originates on the Managing Editor Austin Western line and continues to its destina- by Tracie VanBecelaere tion in Texas on the BNSF network," said Dean Managing Editor For Watco Companies, the highlight of Octo- Wise, BNSF vice president of network strategies. ber's BNSF Shortline conference was the naming During the first seven months of this year, There were many new pieces to Watco's Annual of the Austin Western Railroad (AWRR) as BNSF's freight interchanged between BNSF and the short Customer Appreciation Event this year; new organiz- 2015 Shortline Railroad of the Year. line rose 28 percent compared with the same ers, new venues, new sponsors, and new Custom- AWRR was selected out of 200 other short lines period in 2015. AWRR’s compound annual growth ers were all a part of the event held October 27th because of its participation in "significant growth rate was 35 percent between 2007 and 2014 for through the 29th. The annual event is held to thank in traffic it interchanges with BNSF” since the two freight interchanged with BNSF. many of our Customers for choosing to do busi- railroads began working together in 2007, said "In recent years, we've seen a significant increase ness with us and allowing us to grow our businesses BNSF officials. in aggregate unit trains due to increased highway together. This year, more than 300 Watco Customers Watco Vice President of Marketing Ryan Wil- construction in Texas, and the Austin Western converged in Pittsburg, Kansas, to hunt, golf, shoot liams, said, "This is a tremendous honor and true Railroad moved almost all of the aggregate needed clay, sing karaoke, and build new friendships. testament to our to build the Formula Event Coordinator Cassie Bicknell said, "We had a commitment to safe- One race track in tremendous response ty and determination Austin," said Wil- this year; almost 80 to grow the business liams. more guests signed up with our Customers The AWRR was for our event than last in Austin. The Austin able to accomplish year. We appreciate the Western's general the growth while hospitality that was manager, Kevin Har- at the same time shown to our guests ris, and the entire sharing the line with by the community and team have done an passenger rail. The our team members, outstanding job in passenger rail runs and we look forward to meeting the needs of during the daytime continue to grow the our Customers." and the AWRR has event in the future." "Austin Western Dean Wise, BNSF vice president network development; a window that they Attendees were and BNSF expanded Kevin Harris, AWRR general manager; Tim Enayati, can work in to move treated to some special marketing manager; Merril Lieb, BNSF AVP shortline entertainment when Wayne Jacob, Entergy, was unit train opera- development at the BNSF conference. the traffic on the one of the CA Days "money tions to handle the Photo by BNSF line. - Continued on page 2 bird" winners. Texas Tech locomotive hits the tracks by Michaela Kinyon suggestion for the company to paint the Communications Intern locomotive. “I never dreamed that the folks at Watco Companies loves to show Watco would make this happen,” said school spirit and support for local Young. “When I saw the mock-up communities throughout the nation. drawing, I couldn’t wait for it to be This has been made particularly clear finished.” with the recent painting of a Texas Tech The design process began in July, locomotive. with the painting process beginning on Emblazoned on the front of the October 12th. Blake Ferguson, graphic now red and black WAMX 3536 is the designer, Texas Tech University, Office Double T and the Masked Rider, with of Communications and Marketing, the Texas Tech University logo on the worked on the design of the locomo- side. It was an unsuspecting Dusty tive. He had to submit a couple of Raider Red aboard Watco's 3536 Double T locomotive at the unveiling on Young, trainmaster and 2007 graduate different versions due to moving parts October 26th. Photo courtesy of Texas Tech University of Texas Tech, that jokingly made the that would've - Continued on page 8 theDispatch page 2 November 2015 Kansas Operation Lifesaver Switching Team begins operations in Arkansas presents award to KO & SKOL The new Domtar Switching Team got off to a hot start when they began operations at Representatives from Kansas Operations Lifesaver (KOL) 5:30 a.m. on October 12th in Ashdown, Arkansas. The team will be providing services at visited two Watco short lines to present them with a framed the paper mill for Domtar and will be bringing in empty cars and pulling out the loaded proclamation from the Governor thanking them for their sup- cars. port of the program. Location Manager Roidino Trevino said, "Each team member was hired from the area The Kansas and so we provided nine new jobs and all of them are new to the railroad business." Oklahoma Railroad The team will be (KO) received their providing service 24/7, award on October 27th, 365 days a year and will and the South Kansas be working two 12-hour and Oklahoma Rail- shifts. road (SKOL) received Tony Clark, vice presi- theirs the following day. dent of operations, said, KOL Executive Direc- "We had a group of team tor Julie La Combe, and members from different KOL Board Member locations to help out with Jim McKeel presented the training and start-up. the proclamations to Sergeant Matt Vogt, KOL President presents the proclamation to Jimmy With everyone at Ash- the railroads. "Kansas Operation Patterson, KO general manager. Also down being new to the pictured are Jim McKeel, KOL board Zackk Briggs, conductor; Scott Morton, conductor; Jason Lifesaver plays a very rail industry we wanted to member and Julie La Combe, KOL Krause (Domtar); Brad Rampy, conductor; Jason Townsend, important part in the ensure that we provided executive director. conductor; Levi Reeves, conductor; Jonathan Roquet, conduc- railroad industry," the training they needed tor; Aleesha Gibson, admin; Roidino Trevino, general man- said Todd Tram- to get them off to a safe ager; Thomas Rochelle, conductor; and in front, Austin Corn, mell, SKOL general start." conductor. manager. "We were very honored to be presented with the Watco's Customer Appreciation proclamation." Jimmy Patterson, event hits record numbers KO general manager, Continued from page 1- the local favorite, said, "Watco and the Kansas City Royals, made the playoffs and Operation Lifesaver both venues that hosted the dinners made have always been sure there were plenty of televisions so that great partners in rail Jim Keel, KOL board member and Julie all could see the games. However, game one safety prevention and La Combe, KOL executive director on Tuesday night lasted much longer than the this award solidifies presenting the proclamation to SKOL Team Members: Todd Trammell, SKOL dinner did, with the Royals finally winning the that association. It’s general manager; Michael Cooper, a pleasure to work game after midnight. There were many guests Owasso trainmaster, Mike Mulnix, assis- at the coffee pots the next morning at break- with Julie La Combe tant roadmaster; Jerry Waun, mobile car fast. and her group year in repair supervisor, and Greg Ferguson, All Aboard Foundation President Brad Snow and year out." Coffeyville trainmaster. helped organize the event and enjoyed the time spent with Watco guests. "You get to talk to these people throughout the year, and it's BHRR Team memBeR deployed nice when you finally get to meet them in per- Watco's Brad Snow and sponsors Ed son and spend time relaxing and having fun." The Birmingham Terminal Railway is now one man short Luper, Salco Products, and Matt Lannon, as Team Member Norman Jones was recently deployed. He It wasn't all work and no play as some Omega Rail, literally had to carry their serves in the Air Force/Air National Guard and has been Customers took advantage of their time in golf partner, Watco's Jeff VanSchaick. Pittsburg to conduct meetings the day before called up for an extended or the day following the event. There were also period of time in the Middle business discussions between shots on the golf East. Norman is in the Civil course and at the hunts. Engineering Unit. "Although Customer Appreciation Days is When not bravely serving meant to be a fun event, there's a lot of op- our Country, Norman works portunities created by taking advantage of the as an engineer/conductor for time together to discuss different projects," the railroad. said Snow. BHRR General Manager One of the unique sponsors, John Kalka, David Tarwater said, "Norman attended with his son J.R., representing both has been a team member for 4 Kinder Dozer as a sponsor and RockNRail as a 1/2 years. I just want to thank Customer. him for his service and ask There are many special relationships that are Birmingham Terminal Railway that his fellow team members forged during this time and team members Watco CEO Rick Webb welcomes guests to Team Member Norman Jones pray for his safety while he is look forward to the event each and every year. the 2015 Customer Appreciation Days. and his wife Wendy. away." theDispatch page 3 November 2015 SKOL ships massive load Celebrating safety Cajun style by Michaela Kinyon Like all good Louisianans, the DeRidder Switching Team celebrated Communications Intern their ten year safety anniversary Cajun style.