ARH Taps Ferryman as COO

David W. Ferryman, Chief Operating Officer, Anacostia Rail Holdings

David W. Ferryman on June 15 joined Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH) as Chief Operating Officer. This is a new position for the Chicago-based short line holding company.

Ferryman spent the past five years at EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel in Pueblo, Colo., serving as Vice President and then as Senior Vice President. He oversaw all Pueblo operations and organizational function responsibilities, including safety, marketing and employee engagement.

A fourth-generation railroader, Ferryman began his career in 1989 at Burlington Northern (BN) as an engineering intern. In 1992, he advanced to Project Manager, overseeing the $30 million construction of BN’s new freight classification switching yard in Lincoln, Neb., and in 1995, he was appointed Roadmaster in Alliance, Neb. Ferryman moved to Illinois Central in 1997 to serve as Assistant Superintendent Engineering in Jackson, Miss. In June 1999, a year after CN purchased the IC, he became CN’s Division Engineer of the Gulf Division. Ferryman in 2000 took on the role of General Manager-Michigan Division, Troy, Mich. He was responsible for train operations, dispatching, mechanical and track maintenance, and in charge of service to all customers, including General Motors and Ford. In 2003, Ferryman was named Chief Engineer, Southern Region. He served from 2005 to 2017 as Vice president Engineering, before moving to EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel.

“We are very excited to have Dave join our team,” said Peter Gilbertson, CEO of ARH, whose railroads operate in seven states and include the Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad, Gulf Coast Switching Company, Louisville & Indiana Railroad Company, New York & Atlantic Railway Company, Northern Lines Railway, and Pacific Harbor Line. “He has held a rare combination of senior posts in operations, technology, finance and business development in and out of the railroad industry—making and keeping connections along the way.”

“Anacostia’s railroads literally are located coast to coast,” said Ferryman, “from New York to California, Illinois and Indiana, Minnesota to Texas with attendant business opportunities and challenges. It’s a great team with terrific people. I’m really looking forward to being on board to help make Anacostia even more of a success.”

In a related development, ARH last month created an Advisory Board of railroad industry leaders to “assist the company in meeting its strategic objectives.” Additionally, its Pacific Harbor Line showcased the new EMD® Joule battery-electric locomotive from Progress Rail at a graduation ceremony for its latest class of engineers. Pacific Harbor Line was the recipient of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s inaugural Environmental Award and the Veterans Engagement Award for 2023.