State Representative Dave Severin and Senator Dale Fowler were in Williamson County Monday to take a tour of Railco Repair of Illinois.
Railco specializes in rail car repairs and is looking to expand after recently opening.
Railco Repair of Illinois bought the closed Rail Ready property in August of this year and business has been taking off.
“We got 25 repairing cars today and that’s up from 18 when we took over in August and we’re hiring steadily as the workload increases.”
Railco President Darrell Hoyt says to accommodate rail cars waiting on repairs the company built two tracks at the facility and will be utilizing 8 miles of track in Herrin, but they want to build another mile of track on the property.
“It’s a time consuming and expensive proposition, but that’s our short-term goal and we’re going to achieve it and that will let us take in larger orders to complete the repairs on.”
State Senator Dale Fowler and Representative Dave Severin toured the facility to see how quickly its growing.
Senator Fowler says this could provide some potential for those affected by the coal mine closing in Saline County.
“To be able to have the opportunity for these coal miners to be able to come to an incredible company like Railco and have an opportunity to stay right here in Southern Illinois and continue to raise their families, which is what we want.”
Railco is also starting an apprenticeship Program.
