US Railcar, LLC Announces Formation of US Railcar Company -- Joint Venture

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio-based US Railcar, LLC and Missouri based American Railcar Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARII) ("ARI") announce the formation of a joint venture to be named US Railcar Company, LLC.  The joint venture is being formed to design, manufacture and sell Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), an efficient train set without a locomotive made up from self-propelled and unpowered passenger railcars in both single and bi-level configurations.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100218/CL57506)

According to US Railcar, LLC's Managing Member Barry H. Fromm who will serve as a Director in the joint venture, "One of US Railcar Company's goals is to reestablish FRA compliant DMU production in the United States."  As Chairman and CEO of Value Recovery Group, Inc. ("VRG"), Mr. Fromm led a group of initial investors in the purchase of assets from the former Colorado Railcar Manufacturing Co. that ceased operations in late 2008.

US Railcar Company, LLC, the joint venture of US Railcar, LLC and ARI will be led by President & CEO Michael P. Pracht, a rail industry veteran with extensive experience with the world's leading rail transportation companies.  "These are extraordinary times with growth opportunities for passenger rail in the US," said Mr. Pracht.  "The US Railcar Company DMU is designed to enable new cost-effective and environmentally friendly passenger rail service across a range of corridors and routes, all with a proven, existing equipment platform already in service."

"ARI is excited to participate in this opportunity to join US Railcar and bring ARI's long and proud freight rolling stock manufacturing heritage to the passenger equipment sector," said ARI President and CEO James Cowan.  "Our commitment to expand and diversify ARI's manufacturing program results from ARI's desire to grow, and build on the expected federal commitment to passenger rail as part of a balanced national transportation system.  Through this partnership, we look forward to being an integral part of that new growth with modern, passenger rail equipment built in the USA."  

ARI will provide US Railcar Company, LLC with its experience in the production of railcars and ARI representatives will comprise half of the Board of the joint venture.  Representatives of VRG will comprise half of the Board of the joint venture and will bring to the venture government contracting experience.  The joint venture plans to produce railcars on order for public authorities and communities to improve public transit, commuter and regional rail service.

The US Railcar Company DMU was prototyped through a demonstration project in 2002 and is currently the only DMU that is fully compliant with Federal Railroad Administration passenger equipment safety regulations as stated in 49 CFR Part 238. This means the US Railcar Company DMU can be quickly pressed into service using existing freight tracks. 1O DMUs are currently providing reliable passenger service in Florida, Alaska and Oregon. Available in both regional and intercity configurations, the US Railcar Company DMU is well suited for incremental corridor development at speeds from 79-to-90 mph. Platform enhancements currently anticipated include a diesel-electric upgrade, increasing speeds to 125 mph, making this American-made DMU an attractive solution for both mature and emerging passenger rail agencies around the country.

For more information about US Railcar Company, LLC and the DMU please check US Railcar's website at www.usrailcar.com or contact US Railcar Company, LLC at 614-246-9465.

About American Railcar Industries, Inc.

American Railcar Industries, Inc. is a leading North American manufacturer of hopper and tank railcars.  ARI also repairs and refurbishes railcars, provides fleet management services and designs and manufactures certain railcar and industrial components used in the production of its railcars as well as railcars and non-railcar industrial products produced by others.  ARI provides its railcar customers with integrated solutions through a comprehensive set of high quality products and related services.

About Value Recovery Group

VRG is an economic development consulting, government advisory services and asset recovery and management firm that represents state and local governments, commercial banks, private investors and several federal agencies.

Forward Looking Statement Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the joint venture's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the joint ventures prospects, the anticipated performance of its railcars, and the anticipated growth of the market and market acceptance for those railcars.  These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions made as of the date hereof and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated.  Joint ventures and the commencement of a new business involve numerous risks, including difficulties associated with cooperation and conflicts of interest among the parties, delays, unexpected costs, and the risk that newly introduced products may contain undetected errors or defects or otherwise not perform as anticipated. Moreover the development of the market for the joint venture's products is anticipated to be dependent on government support to passenger rail development and there can be no assurance that such support will be forthcoming or, even if forthcoming, that the joint venture's railcars will otherwise be able to compete successfully.  Other potential risks and uncertainties relating to ARI's business and the production of railcars are described in the ARI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  ARI expressly disclaims any duty to provide updates to any forward-looking statements made in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  

SOURCE US Railcar, LLC