CHICAGO — Manufacturer FreightCar America will enter the tank car conversion market, having entered into an agreement to upgrade more than 1,000 DOT-111 cars to DOT-117R cars over the next two years, the company announced today.
The cars will receive new exterior valve jackets, thermal protection, full-height head shields, top fittings protection, and upgraded bottom-outlet valves. The upgrades will meet federal standards for cars carrying certain hazardous and flammable liquids required by 2029.
“We are excited to enter the tank car space with this significant multi-year conversion order,” Nick Randall, FreightCar America CEO, said in a press release. “Coupled with our prominent history in railcar modifications, our commitment to large-scale projects made us an excellent partner for the deal. Our Castaños [Mexico] facility has the capacity to handle these modifications efficiently, minimizing the number of cars out of service at any one time.
“The expansion broadens our robust offerings of railcars, enhances our opportunity to expand our business, and equips us to grow our addressable market and customer base.”
More information on the company is available at its website.
