Atlantic Track, RCCSJ host congressional representatives

Rep. Cartwright with the Atlantic Track team.

On March 9, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA-17) joined National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) member company Atlantic Track & Turnout Co. for a tour of its facility in St. Clair, Pa.

Peter Hughes, president, Atlantic Track & Turnout Co., gave an overview of the company and its current operations. Atlantic Track was established in 1923 and inventories new and used rail products including relay rail, joint bars, ties, switch timbers and tie plates. Atlantic Track also provides products for crane runway systems and transit systems and services including surveys, inspections, installations, repairs, maintenance and project management.

Hughes gave a tour of the facility, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Atlantic Track provides a mix of manufacturing and distribution services supporting the railroad and transit industries at their Pottsville facility, which opened in 1976. It is one of only two companies that makes electric third rail used in transit systems. Customers include transit systems in New York, Washington, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Atlanta. In addition, the facility houses machines for the milling, grinding, cutting and drilling of rails and other steel items. The facility employs 38 people.

“I’d like to thank Atlantic Track & Turnout Co. and NRC for the opportunity to tour their facility in St. Clair,” Rep. Cartwright said. “Manufacturing and engineering are critical pieces of Pennsylvania’s economy and we must do everything we can to ensure we’re making things here in Schuylkill County. I’m committed to expanding skilled jobs, such as the ones at Atlantic by supporting policies, such as extending the shortline rail tax credit, which would help create these jobs and further promote rail.”

Additionally, on March 4, U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ-2) joined NRC member company Railroad Construction Co. of South Jersey (RCCSJ) for a tour of its facility and its project at the Port of Paulsboro.

The representative toured the facility, which has more than 14 acres of storage yard, a 60,000 square foot warehouse, a 13,000 square foot mechanic’s garage, 20,000 square feet of covered storage, a fully equipped training facility and a new office building.

At the Port of Paulsboro, Rep. LoBiondo learned about the construction of a new marine terminal, at which 14,000 feet of new track and nine turnouts are being built.

“I appreciated the opportunity to tour the Port of Paulsboro and the detailed briefing on current and future plans which would greatly benefit South Jersey’s economy. This substantial investment will create local jobs and new opportunities for businesses in Gloucester, Salem and neighboring counties. During my visit, I reiterated my willingness to be a partner with the Railroad Construction Company of South Jersey on this and additional projects,” said Rep. LoBiondo.

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