Australia's IMG helps meet rail target for intermodal shipments
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The newsletter for Watco Companies September 2019, Volume 20, Issue 9
Australia's IMG helps meet rail target for intermodal shipments
by Tracie VanBecelaere The Forrestfield Intermodal Termi-
Managing Editor nal (FIT) and the North Quay Rail
Terminal (NQRT) at Fremantle’s
Watco’s jointly owned Intermodal Inner Harbour. The NQRT achieved
Group (IMG) recently helped hit a a record-breaking month, process-
rail target of 20% containers on rail ing more than 14,300 containers
at Western Australia’s Fremantle for both import and export in July.
Port. Congestion is becoming an This is the highest volume recorded
issue in the city due to large truck by IMG since it commenced opera-
numbers moving in and out of the tions at NQRT in 2007. Container
Port. To counteract this problem, volumes at FIT were also at record
the State Government introduced a levels in July, with more than 10,000
subsidy for rail freight that moves containers contributed to the short-
through the Fremantle Port Authori- haul rail shuttle service.
ty’s (state government owned) North “Attracting more container
Quay Rail Terminal. volumes onto rail is a key focus
IMG’s focus on moving contain- for IMG and will only be achieved
ers by rail resulted in achieving the with the continued support of our
State Government’s 20% target in Customers and key stakeholders,” Containers are railed in and out of Fremantle Port, a project encour-
2018-2019. This is an increase from said Grant Thompson, IMG Chair aged by the government in an effort to reduce congested areas of
around 11 percent in 2009-2010 or, and Watco Australia CEO. “As the Perth and reduce the wear and tear of the big trucks on the city road-
according to government calcula- current operator of NQRT and as- ways. Photo by Chase Gunnoe
tions, the equivalent to removing sociated FIT, we are proud to work from FIT. IMG is the exclusive packing the containers for CBH.
110,000 one-way truck trip move- with our Customers to be an active operator of NQRT and has intro- In addition, the recently an-
ments. Moving this traffic to rail contributor in attracting more freight duced efficiencies during the past 12 nounced IMG partnership with
not only eases the congestion and on rail and reducing truck traffic on months that have resulted in regular Qube Logistics has started to pro-
improves road safety, it also reduces roads around Fremantle Port.” triple daily return services between duce results, with container volumes
wear and tear on the city roads. Approximately 80 percent of the FIT and NQRT. The majority of the beginning to transfer from road to
IMG operates two terminals volumes currently received at NQRT services have been export containers rail. IMG is confident this partner-
served by our Watco WA Rail Team. are transported by IMG’s rail service due to a strong grain season, but the ship will result in more import and
team has focused on increasing the export container volumes moving
import containers as well, making on rail, which will underpin the
full trips both in and out of the Port. growth required to achieve the State
Thompson said: “We have worked Government’s ultimate rail target of
closely with our Customers to 30%.
achieve record growth in container IMG provides services seven
numbers through NQRT over the days a week and has the ability to
past 12 months. These outstanding provide services around-the-clock
volumes are the result of the current if needed. Currently, there is not a
State Government’s support to en- consistent need, but IMG is flexible
courage more freight on rail through and willing to operate as Customer
the container port rail subsidy, need demands. Right now, there are
strong demand for WA agricultural 20 IMG team members at NQRT,
exports and initiatives implemented 47 IMG team members providing
by IMG to attract and retain Cus- service at FIT.
tomers on the port rail service.” “The excellent service provided
CBH Group was Watco’s first by these team members and help-
Customer in Australia and they are ing achieve the State Government’s
a part of the successes IMG has ex- 20% port rail freight target, has
The Intermodal Group Team handles numerous containers and perienced at the Port. FIT sits right positioned IMG extremely well to
helped the state government reach a goal of moving more than 20 next to a CBH’s Metro Grain Center continuing as the preferred opera-
percent of the containers at Freemantle Port by rail. and the team not only moves export tor at NQRT for another term,” said
Photo by Chase Gunnoe grain containers, they also assist in Thompson.
Savannah & Old Fort Railroad excited to serve Georgia Customers
by Tracie VanBecelaere
Managing Editor
On August 30, Watco's first short
line in the state of Georgia began
delivering cars to Customers along
the Savannah River. the line have an impact internation-
The Savannah & Old Fort Rail- ally, one example of this is the line's
road (SVHO) is a 6.45-mile long top Customer, Georgia Biomass.
line that connects with the CSX at They bring in wood pellets that are
Southover Yard, which lies south shipped to Germany and are used in
of the river. The railroad was given the operations of a power plant.
the name as a nod to Old Fort James Other large Customers on the line
Jackson, which lies one mile east include Southern States Chemicals
of Savannah. Old Fort Jackson was and Argos.
constructed between 1808 and 1812 Thrall said, "In addition to the
to protect Savannah from attack by current Customers, we're already in
the sea. It was one of three Confed- talks on some other big projects and WAMX 4014 is decorated with the Savannah & Old Fort Railroad logo and
erate forts that protected Savannah are focused on growing the busi- ready to serve Watco's newest Customers in Savannah, Georgia. The rail-
during the civil war until the Union ness, both with new and our current road celebrated its first day of service on August 30.
army captured the city by land. Customers."
The railroad delivers a variety of There were approximately 15,470
commodities to terminal operators cars shipped on the line but Thrall
along the river. Although there are feels that with our experienced
eight Customers on the line, there team, there are opportunities to
are 29 different Customers who our grow that number.
Customers deliver to. Terence Snell is serving as the
"I've had some of the Customers general manager of the railroad. He
reach out to me and commend our joined the Watco Team nine years
team on how they have communi- ago and was a conductor with the
cated with the Customers on the line Vicksburg Southern, a trainmas-
and reached out to teach them the ter for the Baton Rouge Southern
various tools that are available to aid Railroad and the general manager
the Customers in setting up ship- of the Bogalusa Bayou Railroad. He
ments, and ordering and tracking is excited to be back in Savannah,
cars," said Rob Thrall, VP of busi- where he is from originally.
ness development. "They've been Other team members include Jef- The red lines in the map above indicate the route the Savannah & Old Fort
very appreciative of how proactive frey Infinger, conductor/engineer Railroad (SVHO) will take when delivering cars to Customers along the
they are in getting things set up and Paul Mitchell, conductor; Jasper Savannah River. Approximately 29 different Customers will be receiving
ready for them to use on day one." Nail, roadmaster; Christopher products at the terminals served by the SVHO.
A ten-year agreement was signed Odom, conductor; Donald Robert,
with CSX to operate the line with CMO; Eric Smith, conductor/engi- Ron Spencer, commercial direc- without fail."
growth obligations built into the neer, Montel Stanley, conductor/en- tor, said, "This was a very smooth The team got off to an interesting
agreement that could expand the gineer, and Daryle Rogers, conduc- and successful start-up that allowed start as only a few days after start-
length of the contract. tor/engineer. Another team member, us to have all Customers switched up, they had to tie things down and
Because of its connectivity to the Jared Costello, conductor/engineer, within the first 24 hours of opera- secure them and then shut down for
river accessing the Atlantic Ocean, will be joining the team in a couple tion. All departments pulled together a few days to prepare for Hurricane
the commodities that are shipped on of weeks. and performed their assigned tasks Dorian.
Watco Team Members participate in back to school supply drives
Two Watco locations were all about giving back during back to
school. The Pittsburg (KS) and Overland Park (KS) Teams partici-
pated in separate events to provide underprivileged kids with school
supplies. The Pittsburg Team donated enough supplies to fill 20
backpacks and helped the community "stuff the bus" full of back-
packs.
The Overland Park office donated more than 40 backpacks filled
with supplies to the FOX 4 Love Fund’s Back to School Bash.
Thanks to both teams, many school kids will be able to have what
they need to start their school year off right.
Left photo: Pittsburg Team Member Cassie Bicknell helps stuff the
bus with donated supplies. Right photo: Carter Kallenbach, son of
Overland Park Team Member Cori Kallenbach, helps pick out sup-
plies to donate to the Fox 4 Love's Fund Back to School Bash.
2 • The Dispatch • September 2019
Alabama Warrior receives President's Award for safety
by Tracie VanBecelaere mitted themselves to coming to work and not put-
Managing Editor ting themselves in position to injure themselves
or anybody else,” Anthony Hoyte, general man-
The Alabama Warrior Railroad (ABWR) was ager, said. “They bought into it and we haven’t
recently notified that they were recipients of had any issues with RPIs (Reportable Personal
American Short Line and Regional Railroad As- Injuries) since.”
sociation's President's Award. The ABWR Team The railroad has 21 team members and primar-
won for having the best safety rate in the cat- ily handles coal on the 24-mile long line.
egory of less than 50,000 man-hours worked. The Team members at the ABWR are:
award will be presented at the ASLRRA Southern
Regional Meeting November 12 in Charlotte, Allen Gearhart Johnny Johnson
North Carolina. Anthony Hoyte JR Joshua Garrett
ASLRRA’s President’s Award is presented Archie Fields III Justin Mead
annually and recognizes railroads that have Brian Butler Marty McClendon
achieved either a 0.0 accident frequency rate, or Christopher McKinney Matthew Garrett
the best safety rate below the industry average as - 2.75 YEARS INJURY FREE Curtis Rice Michael Lewis
measured by the lowest accident frequency rate - ASLRRA PRESIDENT'S AWARD Daren Jolla Nakia Jenkins
per man-hour of operation. They must also be a Dean Schexnayder Olen Reid
Jake Award recipient, which recognizes above- Distinction, for their injury-free 2017. Emmitt Carter Quinchez Marshall
industry average safety performance during the “It's all because the team made a decision to Jace Fisher Torrance Hendrix
previous year. The ABWR received a Jake with come to work each day and be safe. They com- Jermaine Woods
Six Watco railroads added to safety award recipient list
by Tracie VanBecelaere Award. The six railroads are the Alabama Southern sissippi Southern Railroad, Pacific Sun Railroad,
Managing Editor Railroad, Blue Ridge Southern Railroad, Cicero Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad, Pecos
Central Railroad, Geaux Geaux Railroad, Jack- Valley Southern Railway, San Antonio Central Rail-
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad sonville Port Terminal Railroad, and the Louisiana road, Stillwater Central Railroad, the Swan Ranch
Association (ASLRRA) announced the winners of Southern Railroad. Railroad, and the Timber Rock Railroad.
the 2018 Jake Awards and Jake with Distinction Railroads who were on the original list were the To win a Jake Award, an ASLRRA member
Awards last month, recognizing regional and short Alabama Warrior Railroad (President's Award re- railroad must perform better than the Class II and
line railroads' safety efforts. cipient), Arkansas Southern Railroad, Austin West- III industry average for injury frequency rate, as
Initially, 19 Watco short lines earned a Jake Award ern Railroad, Autauga Northern Railroad, Baton reported by the Federal Railroad Administration
with Distinction, which recognizes reportable Rouge Southern Railroad, Birmingham Terminal ring a calendar year.
injury-free performance in 2018. The ASLRRA Railway, Bogalusa Bay Railroad, Great Northwest Watco's Wisconsin & Southern Railroad and
recently added six more Watco lines to the list Railroad, Louisiana Southern Railroad, Lubbock & Watco's Switching Services both received the Jake
of short lines receiving the Jake with Distinction Western Railway, Mission Mountain Railroad, Mis- Award this year.
Mission Mountain Railroad celebrates three years injury free
by Tracie VanBecelaere
Managing Editor
The Mission Mountain Railroad Team celebrat-
ed their three-year safety anniversary with a big
splash. Mid-August, the team joined together for
a rafting trip down the Northfork River at Glacier
National Park.
The team met at the depot in the morning and
then drove down to the river, aired the rafts up
and off they floated. The water wasn't moving ex-
tremely fast, so they were able to enjoy a relaxing
Mission Mountain Railroad Team Members Mission Mountain Railroad Team Members who
trip on the water. celebrated going three years injury free with a helped reach the three year safety injury-free
Team member Pam Ridenour followed the group rafting trip at the Glacier National Park. milestone are: Back row (l to r) Kent Ainsworth,
in her car and took pictures and then transported Kyle Jeschke, Pam Ridenour, Rob Jansson, and
the group back to their cars at the end of the trip. work and celebrate their accomplishments," said Ariel Zak. Front row (l to r) Jonathan Roquet, Jake
"The team has done a good job focusing on Kyle Jeschke, MMT general manager. "I hope we Thomson, Jacob Thain, J.T. Buckley, and Sam
safety and it was fun to get together outside of can come back next year to celebrate four years." Pedersen.
Know someone looking for a new career?
send them to watcocompanies.com/careers
The Dispatch • September 2019 • 3
100 million barrels of
bakken oil shipped by rail Wellness
Hess Corporation recently
announced that they hit
two major milestones: total
waste and boosts
efficiency," said
Sheldon. "As a
requirements
waived
production of more than contractor, the
250 million barrels of oil Watco Team fol-
equivalent in the Bakken, lows that same
and 100 million barrels principle, and by Brenda Antle
moved by rail. it has lead to a Benefits Specialist
In 2011, Hess built the great partner-
Tioga Rail Terminal (TRT) ship between the Once again, the Benefits
and products are moved two. I think if Team has chosen to waive
east, west and south by the Watco Team all wellness require-
train and then down to didn't practice ments for the 2020
Texas and Louisiana by The Tioga Rail Terminal in the mist of the Bakken it, we wouldn't benefit year.
Formation has moved more than 145,000 railcars
pipeline. Hess Midstream have been there What does this
from the facility.
operates the system of this long." mean for you?
pipelines and rail transpor- "The desire Team members
tation. by both parties to continue improving has will not have to
The Watco Team is responsible for loading lead them to be able to find solutions together; complete a wellness
unit trains of NGL's and crude oil. The termi- there's that mutual respect there." exam in 2019 for
nal runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Hess CEO John Hess said things aren't go- 2020 to receive the
and there are 59 team members at the location. ing to slow down either. He said production is incentive. Spouses enrolled in your
In addition to the team members loading the expected to grow approximately 20 percent per coverage will also not need to meet the wellness
trains, Watco is also responsible for providing year to 200,000 of oil equivalent per day by requirement.
on-site security at the site. 2021. All team members on the HRA plan will receive
With all the activity, the team is proud of their To date, approximately 1,400 unit trains or their HRA dollars day one (previously the first
safety record, and they haven't had an RPI since about 145,000 railcars have moved through the $500 in deductible had to be met before receiving
2012. Tioga Rail Terminal since start-up, and Hess funds).
Steve Sheldon, Commercial Manager, said one said they only see the operation continuing to All team members on the H.S.A. plan will re-
interesting facet is the relationship between the grow. ceive the full Watco contribution in their H.S.A.
two companies. Kim Boles, director of Bakken operations, account (previously funds were not provided if
"Hess subscribes to the Lean Kaizen philoso- said, "The Hess operation in the Bakken is a wellness was not met).
phy. Which is a methodology that eliminates success story, pure and simple." However, Watco still strongly recommends all
team members still have a wellness exam com-
pleted. Your health is always changing, routine
Ann Arbor TS&IC provides water for emergency blood work, and yearly physicals can help lower
by Jay Benedict your risk of future health issues when caught
Digital Communication and Social Me- early.
dia Specialist Please Note: Tobacco compliance
will still be a require-
As an algae bloom threatened water ment for 2020. In order
supplies, Toledo, Ohio's largest mis- to pay lower premiums,
sion asked for donations to support their all tobacco users will
emergency relief supplies, and the Ann need to begin the Tobacco Cessation Program by
Arbor Team stepped up. November 30, 2019. To enroll in the program,
Led by the TS&IC Team, they gath- please contact Quit-4-Life at (866)-784-8454.
ered resources, purchased, and delivered All team members will still need to log onto
a pallet of bottled water to the Cherry www.watcohealth.com to select Yes or No re-
Street Mission. garding tobacco use. If the option Yes is selected,
"It's a great feeling when our team the team member will also have the option to
can come together and support the same Pictured: Gray (3rd left), Ann Arbor conductor/en- confirm enrollment in the Tobacco Cessation
community that we work in," said Ian gineer William Richardson (far right) and the Cherry Program.
Gray, Ann Arbor conductor/engineer and Street Mission Team For any questions or concerns, please email
TS&IC leader. benefits@watcocompanies.com.
Celebrating a special
event and need an idea?
Visit our web store for
more information on
watcogear.com special orders.
4 • The Dispatch • September 2019
Northwest gangs celebrate four-year safety anniversary
Rain or shine, the Northwest Track and Tie
Gang 168 and the Surfacing and Lining Gang 167,
know how to perform their jobs safely. They re-
cently hit a four-year injury-free milestone. These
gangs have traveled the northwest railroads com-
pleting various capital and maintenance projects,
all in a safe manner. The gangs have performed
work on the Boise Valley Railroad, Eastern Idaho
Railroad, Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad,
Great Northwest Railroad, the Mission Mountain
Railroad, and the Pacific Sun Railroad. That's a
span of more than 1,421 miles.
Supervisor Ben May said, "I'm very proud of
this team and their accomplishments. They've
done a great job focusing on safety in all kinds of The Track and Tie Gang 168 and the Surfacing and Lining Gang 167 work in all kinds of weather condi-
conditions." tions to make sure the infrastructure is safe for the Operations Teams to run the trains on.
The team members that are on these gangs in-
clude: Ben May, supervisor; Jose Martinez, track track machine operator; Dee Burwell, surfacing track machine operator.
machine operator; Francis Benally, track machine foreman; Latt Hyde, track machine operator; Mark Congratulations on safely taking care of the in-
operator; Boyd Standley, foreman, Trevor Todd, Mazur, track machine operator; Jose Trevino, frastructure that our team operates on!
Federal Grant to rehabilitate rail will help Eastern Washington Farmers
A $5.7 million federal grant will help will infuse just over $11 million (in-
rehabilitate rail infrastructure used by cluding matching funding) into the rail
farmers in Eastern Washington. system over the next few years."
Watco's Palouse River and Coulee Farmers and the PCC Rail Authority
City Railroad (PCC) will benefit from have worked with the state Depart-
this grant. The PV Hooper branch on ment of Transportation to recover three
the PCC is a portion of the line that the rail lines that are at various stages of
funding will be used to upgrade. The disrepair, said Paul Katovich, CEO of
line between Hooper, Washington, and HighLine Grain Growers.
Endicott, Washington, will be upgraded "If you slow the trains down enough,
to help the PCC provide service to the you can get across almost everything,
new Northwest Grain Growers unit but you lose a lot of the efficiency,"
grain loading facility at Endicott. Katovich said.
Ted Kadau, VP of Commercial, said, "We’re basically trying to make up
"This is a victory for the rehabilitation for that lack of infrastructure invest- Grain growers in Eastern Washington state will benefit from the
of the PCC rail system and the com- ment over the past few decades and get rehabilitation of rail line along the Palouse River and Coulee City
bined funding from this BUILD Grant caught back up." Railroad. Photo by Mike Parker
Operation Lifesaver training classes offered TS&IC training held in Burley
Watco and CDL Electric Company, Inc. recent- teers. They're now ready to work toward OLI's Four team members recently attended TC&IC
ly hosted Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) training goal to reduce injuries and fatalities resulting Training held in Burley, Idaho. The two-day class
in Pittsburg, Kansas. Nine team members became from trespassing and grade crossings incidents covered methods the team could use to lead their
Kansas Operation Lifesaver Authorized Volun- through community education. coworkers in creating the safest work environ-
While it used to be common to visit schools ment while providing more communication, and
and create awareness of rail safety, there has been interaction with the communities we operate in.
a lack of authorized volunteers to cover all the
schools. Now with additional representatives in
the area, the message of rail safety can be pre-
sented not only to schools but local organizations
and others who will benefit from the presentation.
Crystal Arnold, director - digital asset manage-
ment, said she can see many instances where the
class can be useful beyond the traditional school
setting.
Arnold said, "In working with GIS mapping
systems and helping first responders in rail-relat-
ed incidents, I can see this as being a very useful
Participating in Operation Lifesaver classes were
tool. We can let first responders know how to not
front row (l-r): Jenifer Little, Joely Gath, Jana Aus-
terman, Kelli Frazier, Amber Brown only access rail property using the mapping, but Taylor Osterhout, Eastern Idaho Railroad(EIRR)
Back row (l-r): Jay Benedict, Afton Lundy (CDL), then we can provide the education so that they car repairman; ; Julio Diaz, EIRR conductor/en-
Crystal Arnold, Shea McLaughlin (CDL), and know how to be safe around the railroads as they gineer; Brian Dasilva, EIRR conductor/engineer;
Adrian Hertog (OLI Coach). are working." and Brian Kelley, Toledo, Oregon, switchman.
The Dispatch • September 2019 • 5
Why Watco - Team member thrives on keeping others safe
by Tracie VanBecelaere called blitzes. They go into a site and audit it. They
Managing Editor look at the weak areas and target the areas where
they need help.
A saying said many times throughout the work- “We don’t just go in and see what they aren’t do-
day at Watco is that we want our people to go ing, we stay with them as a team until we find out
home in the same condition they came to work in. how to get it corrected safety-wise,” said Penrod.
But EHS Manager Shannan Penrod wants more “It’s one of my favorite things to do, just because I
than that. like helping people and feel like I’m leaving them
“I want our team members to go home in better in a better, safer situation.”
condition than when they came,” said Penrod. “I Penrod primarily covers the tank side, but she is
want them to have learned something that they can looking forward to learning more about the freight
take home with them, to make them better people.” side so that she can help Vice President of Occupa-
Penrod, who supports the Scottville, Texas, tional Safety and Health Jeff Baum, with whatever
and Zwolle, Louisiana, mechanical shops, has he needs her to do.
been with Watco for five years. She came into the She said she’s worked with a few companies
industry after working as a paramedic for 13 years. since going into the safety field but one thing she
What triggered her career change was responding feels is that, unlike a lot of companies, Watco has
to too many calls involving victims of industrial truly cared about the team members and doesn't
accidents. want them to get hurt to just to make a living.
Penrod said, “I’ve always been interested in Penrod said, “That’s why I’ve stayed. We were
helping people, which is why I became a first never called employees. We have a team member
responder. After seeing so many work-related ac- number, team member benefits. I feel like I’m not
cidents, I started thinking about what I could do to a number or just a person; I am part of a whole.
Shannan Penrod, Watco Mechanical EHS
help people before they ended up in an accident. From my experience, I’ve felt they always valued
Manager, traveled to the Neodesha, Kansas,
People shouldn’t have to trade blood for money, their people when it came to safety, that it was not mechanical shop to teach the team confined
and working in unsafe conditions shouldn’t just be just given lip service, but they backed what they space rescue skills when they received a new
part of the job.” said.” extraction device.
Nineteen years ago, Penrod made the move Penrod is excited to say that the Scottsville shop
and began her pursuit of a career in safety. She is celebrating 3 ½ years of safety by taking owner- folks who were there when they opened the doors
received her bachelor’s degree and has also taken ship of safety at the location and looking out for back in the '70’s.
safety specific courses to further her knowledge of each other. The Zwolle shop is turning around Before joining the Watco Mechanical Team, Pen-
the industry. their record and talking responsibility for looking rod had been working in Houston in the construc-
“I don’t want to see injuries happen and I don’t out for each other. There is an average of about 80 tion industry.
want to see someone have to take workman’s team members at both locations, and one issue that “The rail industry was a huge challenge, there
comp. When someone ends up in that situation, occurs in the area is the battle with the oil indus- was a lot to learn, and I love it,” said Penrod. “It
they’re going to take a cut in pay, and it will most try for workers. When prices go up, and they’re was time to come back home and be around my
often affect their families and their lifestyles,” said paying high wages the younger folks will chase daughter and sons. This is home, I have 15 years
Penrod. the money and then when the prices go down; they left, and I hope this is where I finish up. This really
As the EHS Manager, Penrod works what are come back. Luckily, she said there are still several is family.”
Port of Vicksburg Team Member Wedding
celebrates 45 years
Kelly Jo Soucy - Todd Trammell
Kelly Jo
The Port of Vicksburg Soucy and Todd
Team had something big Trammell were
to celebrate on August united in mar-
19; it was the number of riage on August
years that fellow team 30, 2019.
member, Willie Mc- The couple
Runnels, has worked at were married at
the facility. McRunnels the Lea County
has been at the location Courthouse in
for 45 years. Lovington, New
Terminal Manager Mexico. They
Kevin Neilhaus said,
celebrated with
"Willie's hard work over
friends and fam-
the years has made him
ily at their home
an incredibly valuable
Helping Willie McRunnels celebrate 45 years at the Port of Vicksburg following the ceremony.
asset to the Port."
are fellow team members (l-r): John Brown, operator; William Haynes, Kelly is employed at Hobbs Family Dental Care
McRunnels is an operations supervisor, Donna Moore, CSR; Terminal Manager Kevin
equipment operator at and Todd is the general manager for the Texas &
Neihaus, McRunnels, Drew Beard, crane operator; Sam Skipper, operator,
the facility. New Mexico Railway, the Lubbock & Western
and Marquita Connor, CSR
Railway, and the Pecos Valley Southern Railway.
6 • The Dispatch • September 2019
SEPTEMBER
ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to the following Team Members Miramontes, Maddie VanBecelaere, Juan Vasquez, 20 Years: Kara Bowman
celebrating anniversaries this month Jordan Wells, Carina Wiles, Marcus Zambrano, 21 Years: Donald Browder, Eric Davison,
Owen Zidar, Kelly Zulfer Lawrence Swenson
1 YEAR: Donovan Allen, Brendan Bilderback, 5 Years: David Bailey, Andy Cordischi, Ta'Darius 22 Years: Jackie Brady, Richard Gruber, Nathan
Kody Blair, Travis Blair, Joseph Blanford, Carlton Dawson, David Farrell, Travis Gage, William Trejo
Boxley, Jessie Brown, Kenneth Burns, Phillip Haynes, Matthew Hembree, Javier Jimenez,
Burrous, James Carter, Kerry Childs, Craig Daley, 23 Years: Kenneth Fletcher, Larry Smith, Jesus
Curt Johnson, Matthew Keating, Jeffrey Kebert, Victoria
Christopher Dalton, Timothy Demery, Derrick Elliot King, Justin Lapresta, Kayla Lepine, Luke
DeWitt, Jimmy Escobar, Richard Flowers, Clark 24 Years: Brad Hayes, Michael Moore
Lohrmeyer, Darryl Lovett, John Lucy, Josh
Fritton, Tabarius Garner, Christina Gonzales, Lutz, Shawn Mettler, Bryan Meyer, Victor Nava, 25 Years: James Smith
Jose Gonzalez, Joe Grady, Kevin Griego, Lensi Brandon Parham, Reginald Paschal, Raymond Post, 26 Years: Danny Sepulvado
Gutierrez, Larry Hairl, Carter Hanson, Jarell Jose Rojas, Christopher Salary, Hugo Sanchez, 28 Years: David Tarwater
Harris, Kenneth Heaton, Brandon Heckler, Joey Nicholas Sanders, Ashton Speckman, Jerry Stacks, 29 Years: Pete Wilczewski
Heimburger, Corey Hornig, Nicholas Hughes, Robert Steensnes, Adam Underwood, Kyle Vannoy,
Travis Hutchinson, Alexzander Kater, Michael 31 Years: Gary McKern
Michael Williams
Kolec, Ryan Laverdure, Tyler Lyzenga, Joshua 32 Years: Timmie Benson, Eric Davis
6 Years: Ignacio Alatorre, Jacob Cahill, David
Mathis, Michael May, Martin Mayes, John 38 Years: Randy Alcorn
Callan, Jesus Carmona, Allen Chamberlin, Jennifer
McCrossen, James Merritt, Nicholas Mora, John 39 Years: Alfred Anderson, Fred Porter
Crossno, Michael DeHoyos, Jace Fisher, Joy
Moschella, Vincent Oliver, April Potter, Cassandra
Lavoie, Arden Martinie, Christopher Porter, Brett 40 Years: Robbie Meshell
Ramirez, Orlando Reveron, Migel Rodriguez,
Travis, Michael Urness 41 Years: Ray Lee, Cas Love, Rickey Moore,
James Rogers, Sarah Romero, Mary Saenz, Bennie
Scere, Richard Serrano, Chad Settles, Zakary 7 Years: Christopher Burns, Leslie Dodd, Billy Robert Watson
Smalling, Benjamin Smith, Henry Smith, Brian Edwards, Charles Foster, Laramie Gahman, David
Giertych, Daniel Gorseth, Christopher Hughes,
Sparks, Kevin Terry, James Theodore, Nicholas
Tipton, Darrell Tolbert, Trevor Tuttle, Eric Vail, Joe Irving, Donald Kopsie, Don Latimer, Leonidas BIRTHS
Anthony Waldschmidt, Brandon Warnick, Quincy Mejia Escobar, James Mobley, Craig Rasmussen, Kamrynn Nevaeh Moore
Wells, Turkson West, Brandy White, Michael Gilberto Rivera, Daniel Rodriguez, Floyd Schrock,
Clint Woods, Rito Zertuche Michael and
White, Loretha Williams, Brian Womble, Bryan
8 Years: Robbie Aucoin, Mark Cendejas, Justin Sydney Moore
Woolard
DeWitt, Ernie Farrand, Fred Hinson, Justin Hoggle, are proud to an-
2 Years: Matthew Allen, Filian Barrientos, Shaun
Linda Jordan, Albert Merritt, Steve Sheldon, Adam nounce the birth of a
Berkheimer, Ramon Betancourt, Joshua Bowling,
Weddle daughter, Kamrynn
Sayre Collie, Marquita Connor, Travis Cooper,
9 Years: Dawna Baker, Benjamin Beers, Laurie Nevaeh.
William Costantini, Kearney Costello, Matthew
Crissman, Erin Davis, Michael Del Vecchio, Caler, Damien Cantrell, Cedric Graham, Steven Kamrynn was born
Matthew Diehl, Christopher Escamilla, Nicholas Johnson, David Mathews, David Miller, Andrew on August 4, 2019.
Everett, Cameron Ginther, Chastity Gonzales, Moots, JaCorey Murray, Bradley Shows, Benjamin She weighed 5lbs.,
Logan Gruver, Mitchell Guenther, Harley Hamrick, Tarran, Peter Tietjen, Sam Wolfe 5oz., and was 19
Joshua Harper, Vernon Haynes, Milton Hernandez, 10 Years: Lewis Barlow, Curtis Joyce, Michael inches long.
Riley Jaynes, Jimmy Jolivet, Cameron Lawrence, Reeves, Chadd Thimesch, Cody Winkleman Kamrynn was wel-
Levi Mcwilliams, Hunter Muller, Samantha 11 Years: Daniel Archer, Robin Combs, Kevin comed home by her big brother Kashen Moore,
Pederson, Tyler Post, Austin Pursley, Richard Griffin, Michael Hankins, Kevin Kennison, Joseph 11 months.
Richards, Tristen Richardson, Daryle Rogers, Lunsford, Michael Stitzel, Lori Vaden Michael is a conductor for the Stillwater Central
Donald Scott, Larry Shepherd, Jon Singleton, Laura 12 Years: Bryan Bernath, Dale Cross, Sergio Railroad.
Smith, Nancy Stockman, Tyrone Thompson, Darion Delgado, Timothy Dykes, Donald Moss, Jamie
Vickers, Robert Wagner, Travis Wiley, Justin Wilson Russell James Maston
Wittenauer, Cody Woolsey, Johnathon Zorn
13 Years: Nancy Dickey, James Hagans, Thomas Daphne Geary and
3 Years: Delmer Armentrout, Jeremy Bouler, Laugavitz, Megan McDaniel, Bill Miller, Wesley Aaron Maston are
Ryan Dimick, Macy Freeze, Matthew Garrett, Murray, John Weitzel
Allen Gearhart, Travis Grose, Kourtney Hatch, proud to announce
14 Years: Aubrey Berguin, Christopher Boatman, the birth of a son,
Earl Musick, Darin Price, Brandon Salee, Nick
Jonas Colley, Matthew Davis, Annetra Garcia, Russell James Mas-
Schwartz, Aaron Snow, Trusty Whiddon, Johnny
Matthew Hare, Mark Harrington, Kari Stephens, ton.
Williams, Liang Yan
Reynaldo Vargas, Thomas Williams, Steve Yates, Russell was born
4 Years: Zakkary Briggs, Richard Burchfield, Carol Young
Zachary Eaton, Matthew Haviland, Clinton July 31, 2019. He
15 Years: William Balzen, Charles Clay, Brandon weighed 8 lbs., 11
Johnson, Drury Kane, Chad Klopfenstine, Jeremy
Craddock, Stacy Grant, Joseph Nazimek, Julio ounces 20 inches.
Knight, Jeremy Lemarr, Daniel Martin, J. Homero
Parada Big sister Elizabeth
Medina, Raul Medina Ramirez, Daniel Mendoza,
John Moriconi, Justin Morrison, Kevin O'Rourke, 17 Years: Arnulfo Rangel, Eric Wayne, Michael Cowett was happy
Harry Pellegrine Jr., Danny Queen, Thomas Wilson to welcome him
Rochelle, Jonathan Roquet, Robert Ross, Travis 18 Years: Chuck King, William Patterson, Gary home!
Schnelle, Michael Schoenherr, Angela Segat, Rosenow Daphne is a mem-
Austin Slinkard, Jerry Theriault, Manuel Torres- 19 Years: Ramon Castro, James Yon ber of the Peabody Switching Team in Wyoming.
The Dispatch • September 2019 • 7
Queensland locomotives headed to australia
Two Watco locomotives rolled out of
the factor in mid-August, but oddly, they
weren't pulling any trains, they were on
one.
The eight six-axle 42 inch-gauge locomo-
tives were fitted with new NRE trucks and
equipped with an EMD 12-645E3B diesel
engine.
The locomotives will be traveling a lon-
ger distance than most; they are on their
way to Queensland Australia for service in
the GrainCorp fleet.
Earlier this year, Watco announced it
would expand its Australian operations
after signing a seven-year contract with
grain marketer and handler GrainCorp for
haulage on the narrow gauge network in
the state of Queensland beginning in late
2019.
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The newsletter for Watco Companies
315 W. Third Street
Pittsburg, KS 66762
www.watcocompanies.com
Watco President speaks at Leadership Kansas
Watco President and CFO Rick Baden spoke on the terminal and port space Watco operates in has
a speaker panel hosted by Leadership Kansas on grown in recent years.
August 22 titled "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." With three short lines railroads, three mechanical
Baden explained to the group how taking care shops and one terminal operating in the state, Wat-
of Customers and solving their logistics and supply co has played a part in driving the Kansas economy,
chain problems is what drives everything Watco not only as an employer of Kansas workers but also
does and the places it expands its business into. as a shipper in helping get commodities delivered
He explained that the locations that Watco has to market for Kansas businesses.
expanded the business in is driven by Customer Other speakers on the panel were Bob Brock,
need. director of aviation with the Kansas Department
"We don’t say, you know, going forward that we of Transportation and Kansas Turnpike Authority
have a strategic plan that we’re going to end up in CEO Steve Hewitt.
Western Australia or we’re going to end up on the Leadership Kansas, an affiliate program of the
East Coast somewhere," Baden said. "That happens Kansas Chamber, is designed to enhance and moti-
because our Customers take us there." vate future leaders from various Kansas communi-
Baden also went on to describe that although the ties. Several Watco Team Members have benefited Watco President and CFO Rick Baden speaks
company has numerous short line railroads, that from participating in the program. at the Leadership Kansas panel titled "Planes,
Trains and Automobiles."
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