UTLX expanding Kansas tank car center

Written by Railway Age Staff
Union Tank Car Company tank car

The industry’s largest tank car builder is adding services and jobs at its mid-continent repair center.

Union Tank Car Company this summer will begin to expand its railcar repair facility in El Dorado, Kansas.

The largest manufacturer, lessor, and maintainer of tank cars in North America, Chicago-based UTLX plans to add more repair capabilities to the facility, and create 70 new jobs.

The El Dorado facility, originally built by UTLX in the early 1960s, is situated on 40 acres of land adjacent to the BNSF Railroad. Increasing repair capabilities along the BNSF will provide UTLX customers with easier access to repair services near the geographic center of the country.

El Dorado generally services railcars from customers with tank cars in ethanol service, and hopper cars moving grain and other food-grade products.

Expanded capabilities, including exterior blast and paint operations, will serve a broader spectrum of cars from customers’ fleets. UTLX will also update all aspects of the shop’s infrastructure, including buildings, utilities, and track.

The location is certified by the Association of American Railroads to perform all railcar-related maintenance activities, including tank qualifications, valve removal and replacement, valve rebuilding and general mechanical repairs.

“This expansion project has been thoughtfully planned because we see so much more potential to help customers in the Midwest by growing our repair capabilities in El Dorado,” said Neil Finn, general manager of shop operations at UTLX. “We value being part of the El Dorado community, and our team is excited to help further the Kansas economy through these facility changes.”

The Kansas Department of Commerce is working with UTLX to assist in the expansion through various tax incentives. UTLX is dedicated to expanding employment in the El Dorado area and foresees hiring approximately 70 new employees over the next few years. The company will also utilize training resources from the department to equip the local UTLX workforce with the best possible on-the-job knowledge, for safe and efficient railcar repair practices.

The company expects the expansion to be completed by early 2019.

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