Gateway Rail Services Tour 2010
text and photos by Steve Binning |
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May 15, 2010 was another rainy Saturday in Illinois. A
group of 30 railfans from the St. Louis Chapter NRHS, Gateway
Division NMRA, and friends met in the Gateway Rail Services
yard in Madison, Illinois. After signing in at the office, we
proceeded to the shop were Roger Verbeeren, President of
Gateway Rail Services, gave us an extensive tour of the
shops and explained the process of rebuilding, remodeling
and maintaining private rail cars. He also went in great
depths to explain government and Amtrak regulations on these
cars.
Roger also told us about the costs of certain jobs, regular
maintenance and options the owner has in keeping his car in
passenger service.
After going through three shops, we were free to roam the
facilities, examining the fleet of almost 200 cars and take
pictures, though the rain did make it challenging.
After the lunch break, we met at Granite City Passenger
Terminal in Granite City, where the road ready cars are
stored. Roger gave a short talk on the cars, then we toured
several of the cars. On the tour, Roger showed us some of
the modifications that were made over the life of the cars,
and explained why some of these changes were made.
 The tour made us aware that the cost of purchasing a
passenger car is the least the owner will spend. Cost of
maintaining and using it runs very high. We asked many
questions and Roger was patient and informative with his
answers. It was a nice surprise for us to be given the
souvenirs. The tour was a great success.
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