SMART must find new builder for rail cars
Mark Prado marin ij
Posted: 01/06/2009 05:46:28 PM PST


When Marin commuters hop on the SMART train in five years it won't be on cars made by the Colorado Railcar Manufacturing LLC.
Officials with the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit district had spoken with the company about providing rail cars for the 70-mile rail line that voters in Sonoma and Marin approved in November.

But the company went belly-up two weeks ago.

"Colorado Railcar Manufacturing has a major liquidity problem, and its lenders have a secured position in the assets of the company," the company's Web site reads. "The company is in the process of liquidation. The company has no employees effective December 31, 2008."

Two years ago this might have posed a big problem for the rail district, said Chris Coursey, SMART spokesman. At that time the heavy diesel-powered cars were the only ones SMART had considered and Colorado Railcar Manufacturing was the only company in the country making them.

But an updated SMART plan allows for use of lighter diesel-powered cars, which are produced by several manufacturers.

"Also, in the last few months we have received word that two other manufacturers are actively pursuing entry into the heavy (car) market," Coursey said. "This includes Siemens, a German company that plans to build heavy (cars) at its Sacramento plant, and Bombardier in Canada."

SMART has set aside $88 million for the design, construction and delivery of the 14 self-propelled cars for the system.

SMART board member Peter Breen of San Anselmo

said it is important for the rail district to move quickly on the car issue.
"They take about three years to build so it's something we want to decide fairly soon," Breen said.

marin ij