The
Dispatch The newsletter for Watco
August 2021
Table of Contents
Austin Western Railroad Team Plows Through Challenges ________________________________________ 4-5 A Passion for Rail ___________________________________________________________________________________ 6-7 Time to Schedule Your Physicals ____________________________________________)_________________________ 8 Team Member Anniversaries ______________________________________________________________________ 9-10 New Arrivals _________________________________________________________________________________________ 11
Highlights
On the Cover
The Austin Western Railroad rounds a bend in the track near Burnet, Texas, as five locomotives pull a long train
Check out our soft tees available in several colors on Watco Gear. Order yours now at watcogear.com. 2 The Dispatch | August 2021
of loaded aggregate cars. Photo by Glenn Anderson.
Safety Anniversaries July 1 – Proctor Mobile Mechanical (WV) – 2 years July 1 – Buffalo TBT Transload Terminal (NY) – 2 years July 2 – Port of Amory (MS) – 1 year July 3 – Brimstone Switching (LA) – 12 years July 6 – Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad (WA, ID) – 13 years July 6 – PCC-Condon Switching (WA) – 5 years July 9 – Texas Terminals (TX) – 3 years July 9 – Glendale Transload Terminal (AZ) – 7 years July 10 – Ghent Marine Terminal (KY) – 2 years July 11 – Chicago Heights Transload Terminal (IL) – 7 years July 21 – Dore Transload Terminal (ND) – 6 years July 25 – Toledo Switching (OR) – 6 years
August 2021 | The Dispatch 3
Austin Western Railroad Team Plows Through Challenges
Even in the best circumstances, it’s a challenge for months, field testing occurred nightly from 8 p.m. short lines to keep freight moving efficiently and to 4 a.m. The AWRR runs most of its traffic during safely. But the past 18 months have been anything these hours and adapted its operations around but the best circumstances for the Austin Western this schedule. Railroad (AWRR). Mandated federal testing, the “We worked around each other,” says AWRR General pandemic, and new leadership are all factors in Manager Anthony Hoyte. “One night they would adjustments the team has had to account for. In test on the east side, the next night on the west spite the challenges the team faced, the AWRR side. Most trains come from continued to collaborate with the west sub. So, if they were our customers to increase car doing testing on the east side “We’ve had some great growth traffic and improve service. of the central corridor, we’d at the same time that we’ve had The AWRR shares a 32come from the west and make a lot of challenges,” notes Carla mile stretch of track with interchanges. The only time it Ewing, Watco’s Vice President MetroRail’s commuter Red really affected us was when they of Sales for the AWRR. “The Line in Austin, Texas. Since this were doing testing on the west.” operations and sales teams is a passenger line, MetroRail’s have done a fantastic job working The pandemic brought its own owner Capital Metro needed challenges of keeping team with our customers and with to install and test Positive Train members healthy and safely Cap Metro to create positive Control (PTC) on the AWRR moving freight. However, with track between downtown efficiencies across the line. That’s more people in the Austin area Austin and northwest to allowed us to find capacity on working from home, Cap Metro Leander by the federallya very constrained railroad.” ridership plummeted, and the mandated agency reduced its service December 31, 2021 deadline. schedule. That March, it scaled PTC is a technology designed to prevent train back the Red Line timetable to Monday through collisions and protect on-track workers. Prior to Friday with no late-night service. implementation, testing needed to happen. For 4 The Dispatch | August 2021
“Without commuters running as much, it gave us more time to run than expected,” said Hoyte. “With no one getting on commuter trains, it gave us a better operating window. We also started consolidating trains; instead of a 95-car train, we ran a 200-car train.” Just as PTC testing and COVID were creating challenges, Hoyte was thrown into the mix as the new general manager. Hoyte took over the reins at the AWRR in February 2020. Often, there’s an adjustment period as new leaders implement changes based on their personal leadership style, but Hoyte and the management team at the AWRR worked together to make the transition a positive experience. Communications with the team have been really great and they’ve been responsive to our needs,” said Derek Schluterman, General Manager of Aggregates, Texas Materials. “They’re willing to listen to us and try new ideas. Things have been going really good.” Three new offices were added to major points on the line, allowing managers to work alongside the crews to create a more cohesive workplace, and enabling better communication. A new locomotive shop was built to more efficiently keep the
locomotives running and serving customers, new equipment was purchased, and they are working on a growth project for additional track space. The team’s efforts, combined with continually developing relationships with our customers, resulted in a 5.4% increase in 2020 carloads over 2019. This continued the AWRR’s trend over the last six years with traffic being up 38% during that period. The team’s perseverance, combined with the developments listed below are some reasons for their success. • In 2018, the largest customer on the line, Texas Materials, partnered with the AWRR and Cap Metro to rehab 25-miles of previously out-of-service track. • Hanson Aggregates invested $30 million to redo their aggregate quarry near Burnet, Texas, doubling their volumes each year over the last two years. • McCoy Building Supply purchased a small lumber transload site on the Austin Western that they use for distribution throughout central Texas, growing from 100 cars per year to 1,000 cars per year.
August 2021 | The Dispatch 5
A Passion for Rail Eight years ago, a work-related accident led Osceola, Arkansas, Marine Terminal Conductor Stefanie Gentles on a path into a craft that she is now passionate about: railroading. Gentles’ husband experienced a work-related injury that left him disabled and left her to find a way to support her family. She started applying for jobs online and was invited to a hiring event for Union Pacific Railroad.
Stefanie Gentles
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“Everyone else showed up for the interview in work boots and jeans, and there I was in my high heels and a skirt,” said Gentles. “The interviewer asked if I even knew what a conductor was. I had no idea but remembered when my son was small, his favorite show was ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ and his favorite character, Mr. Conductor, was in charge of the safety of the railroad. So that’s what I said, ‘Yes sir, conductors are in charge of the safety of the railroad.’ They called and offered me the job the next day. It was really quite funny and unbelievable. I still had no clue what a conductor was or what kind of whirlwind of a career I would be encountering, but I have no regrets. I love my job!”
Her response not only got Gentles in the door but describes part of who she is: a railroader that has a heart for safety. This is not only because of her husband’s accident, but because of how necessary it is in her job. “I love the safety aspect of the railroad, the value and the focus that is placed on it. Some places talk about safety, but we live and breathe it every day,” Gentles said. A series of furloughs prompted Gentles to seek out the option of contracting to stay working, which eventually brought her to Watco. She signed on with a contracting company as a traveling conductor, and one of the first assignments was with Watco at the Bayway Refinery in Linden, New Jersey. “UP gave me the license and the fundamentals of the industry, but inside Bayway is where I learned to be a railroader. I already knew I loved the craft, but there I knew I would never want to leave the industry,” Gentles said. After several years of traveling all over the United States as a contractor and going back to Bayway a couple of years in a row, Gentles ended up at Watco’s Osceola Marine Terminal in Arkansas. There she has earned the admiration of her teammates and supervisors. “She’s a very hard-working lady,” said Henry Pilcher, Superintendent of Support. “She’s conscientious and very safety oriented. Stefanie’s a true team player and trooper to the heart. Wherever she can help, she’ll be there doing it,” said Henry Pilcher, Superintendent of Support.
Terminal Manager Keith Bowman agrees with Pilcher. “I’ve never known anyone, male or female, who works as hard as Stefanie does. She’s a fireball. She’s eager to learn and has jumped in and helped out with so many of the processes for the locomotives, training, demurrage, and fills in the gaps in many other areas. She is amazing and has so much fire for railroading. That’s all she talks about.” Gentles does love railroading and says it’s important to recognize the team members for their craft. “I’m an advocate for the craft. This is something we learn from the ground up; it’s a skill and trade that we should be proud of,” Gentles said. “Railroaders need to be recognized for the hard work and time that is put into honing their skills, it’s truly a craft. We start on the ground as brakeman and switchman, learning the Conductor role and eventually graduating into ‘the seat’ as an Engineer.” Gentles has accepted a permanent position with Watco as a Go Teamer and will continue to travel to Watco facilities on assignment. She has a great support team at home. Her husband Joe holds down the fort while she is gone, with the help of her son, Tyler, 19, and daughter, Taylor, 13. She is very proud of her family and the opportunity that Watco has given her to support her household. “I feel confident and excited for what I bring to the table. I think Union Pacific was just a starting point, a learning experience, and they gave me the golden ticket that allowed me to start contracting and led me to find Watco,” Gentles said.
August 2021 | The Dispatch 7
Time to Schedule Your Physicals As kids head back to school and complete their yearly physicals, now is a great time for all adults to have their annual checkups as well. Yearly checkups help prevent health problems from becoming a bigger concern.
Wellness services covered at 100% under Watco’s medical plans include: • Routine physicals • Routine lab work • Routine mammograms • Annual well-woman exams • Routine immunizations
8 The Dispatch | August 2021
Enrolled in Critical Illness Coverage? Team members (and their dependents) enrolled in this coverage are eligible for a health screening benefit of $50 from MetLife. How to claim: Call: (800) 438-6388 Online: metlife.com/mybenefits Email: benefits@watco.com for the claim form
Team Member Anniversaries Congratulations to the following team members celebrating August anniversaries:
1 Year: Jameion Anderson, Stephanie Augustus, Mark Bridenbeck, Cassandra Cade, Zian Chamberlain, Robert Clements, Jamarian Crawford, Tanner Crissler, Sergio Delacruz, Timothy Easley, Peggy Emeis, Ramon Garcia, Stefanie Gentles, Joseph Gomez Herrera, Joshua Greenhill, Jesus Guerrero, Keenan Hall, Larry
Tony Norton, William Noyes,
Ricardo Martinez, Jeremy Matter,
Rebecca Palacio, Edward Peltier,
Kamal Meawad, Christopher
Luis Perez, Vincent Porter, Denice
Miranda, Victor Olivo, Kyle
Poseley, Nicholas Rockett, Joseph
Pillsworth, Heather Poll, Ronald
Sageser, Jacob Sahagun, Matthew
Richey, Ivan Rincon, David Ross,
Sanchez, Tyler Summar, Anthony
Scott Smith, Scott Smith, Rhett
Sydnor, Cristina Talley, Wayne
Summar, Shane Willoughby,
Terry, Eloy Torres, Jose Trevino,
Buckley Wright, Leandier Yazzie,
Austin White, Kenneth Williams,
Cory Zuniga
Allen Woods
5 Years: Andrew Ashbacher, Veronica Carlson, Sidney Coomes,
Francisco Ibarra Rocha, Austin
3 Years: Jack Abbott, Emily Allen, Joseph Bellony, Mathew
Harvey Donn, Jeremy Evans,
Jeane, Joshua Jones, Jose Joya,
Casey, Nicholas Clayton, Thomas
Ryan Girard, Jerry Green, Adam
Paola Leal, Derek Macy, Timothy
Damus, Richard Davis, Joshua
Grimm, William Hardy, Travis
Miller, LaKesha Peeples, Ulises
Dulak, Ryan Edge, Tariq Elias,
Henson, Joseph Johnston, Roy
Quinones, Kade Resnik, Luis
Jeremy Espy, Ike Gourdine, Lateef
Jones, Kenith Langsford, Keith
Rivas, Hope Rodgers, Shanelle
Griffin, Nicholas Guinn, Latt Hyde,
Lollar, David Lumpkins, Alonzo
Rogers, Donte Shuman, David
Jeremiah Jackson, Jaclyn Jenkins,
Mason, Floyd McCormack, Jarrett
Smith, Jose Sorto Fuentes, Jason
Michael Johnson, Jamal Josiah,
McPherson, Paul Mitchell, Michael
Sosa, Brandon Ullom, Dustin
Melissa Lodahl, Travis Louden,
Mullins, Jeremy Myer, Jennifer
Virtue, Ahleah Wages, Brandon
Patrick Meagher, Matthew
Ocampo-Banda, Miguel Paniagua
Williams, Joseph Wilson, Colton
Nicol, Brian OBrien, Jalane Olds,
Pardo, Marvin Quinn, Rylee Rice,
Winegarner, Christopher Wise
Vianca Pacheco, Matthew Peck,
Edward Ripp, Alberto Rosales,
2 Years: Christopher Beckem,
Jared Powell, Sabin Reynolds,
Stephen Smith, Nicholas Winslow,
Aaron Rose, Kevin Sanchez, Mary
Justin York
Sikorski, Michael Terry, Nicholas
6 Years: Crystal Arnold, Clint
Hall, Barnie Harris, John Hinni,
Jeremy Benson, Wendell Blair, Haley Bradshaw, Benjamin Broz, Richard Cawley, Shawn Clark, Nakito Clayton, David Daniels, Benjamin Dennis, Travis Dyer, John Fischer, Sephoria Fletcher,
Vertein, Sean Wanamaker, Andy Yague Planes
4 Years: Stephanie Arriola-
Barnes, Ana Guzman, Zachary Hammons, Michael Higgins, Kevin Hoyos, Richard Maillet, Richard
Suarez, Sean Barnhart, Edward
McCalla, Sergio Mohammed,
Justin Halligan, Austin Hamilton,
Bray, Jeffrey Cantrell, Ronald
Alejandro Molina, Phillip Morris,
Jace Hankins, Anthony Hutchins,
Carey, Adam Caruthers, Walter
Johnny Ortegon, Francis
Christopher Johnson, Denis Laren,
Chapman, Dustin Delehoy,
Osterhout, Jason Ratliff, David
David Lawson, Fuquan Lewis,
Daniel Friend, Jacob Gallun, Gage
Saliga, Terry Schmitz, Matthew
Joseph Loyd, Silverio Maldonado,
Gorman, Timothy Gulbranson,
Smolek, Brian Thompson, Jamie
David Mazur, Michael Mcdermott,
Timothy Hilton, Seth Jankord, Q
Van Boxtel, Andrew Williams
Jonathan McKenzie, Evan Nadeau,
D. Jennings, Barton Maransani,
August 2021 | The Dispatch 9
Team Member Anniversaries
7 Years: Faron Colburn, Jeffery
13 Years: Adrian Baldridge,
24 Years: Brian Collier,
Crowther, Steven Day, Dillon
Angelo Barrera, Raymond
Timothy Wiseman
Frank, Richard Fulton, Judd
Barrera, Justin Dempsey,
Gilgen, Ian Gray, Anthony
Raymond Howard, James Kratky,
25 Years: Doug Kerley,
Holcomb, Cody Jensen, Josh
Kurtis Lindsey, George Mincey,
Joslin, Katherine Lawson,
Dennis Sawyer
Jonathan Morefield, Enrique
14 Years: Phyllis Angermeier,
Ortiz, Franky Perez, Andrew Plotts, William Price, Troy Reister, Victor Rivera, Roberto Trevino, Barth West
8 Years: Enoch Awejok, Christopher Droddy, Jared Humphrey, Alberto Rodriguez, Brett Woollard
9 Years: Nicholas Bennett,
Marvin Ayers, Andrew Brown,
30 Years: Maurice McGinnis 32 Years: Jose Hernandez,
Nathan Tuzicka
15 Years: William Beighey, Maurice Davis, Donnie Gunter, John Harrell, Charles Henderson, Juan Lozano, Jeff Mayfield, Kyle Moody, Matthew Sodergren, Alicia
16 Years: Adam Hanson,
Ecret, Erik Finnerty, Keith Johnson, Carrie Langston, Joseph Lee, Paul Leonards, Carl Petersen, Brit Sonnier, Adam Wittenauer
Douglas Linscomb, Hector Reyes
17 Years: Sofrona Howard, Steven Kincaid, Jimmy Patterson, Delta Wood
18 Years: Jason Hislop, Roder Mercado
11 Years: Ryan Dziedzic, Jhirmark 19 Years: John Binkley, Hodge, William Jones, Nathan
Dave Gromer, Phillip Hedge,
Keizer, Alvin Maney, Jason Miron,
Christopher Moore, Albert Olvera
Seth Peterson, Carl Reese, Derrick Sepulvado, Terry Smallwood, John Staples, David Tackett, Nathan Tobey, Dyllan Vincent, Damien Williams
12 Years: Luis Ferrer, Christopher Hayes, John Williams
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29 Years: James Boyle,
Dwight Sayles, Joshua Seefeld,
James Henry, Chase Manley,
10 Years: Tyler Adkison, Jeff
Gregory Duffie, Charles Sigley
Kenneth Dozier
Stimpson, Martin Wellmaker
Mikayla Widick
26 Years: Joseph Brown,
William Buchinski, Kyle Mansfield,
Cindy Davied, Robbie Haynes, Jason Overton, Wayne Roig,
Kevin Krueger
20 Years: Mark Bray, Eugenio Ovalle
21 Years: Charles Stanley 22 Years: James Brooks, Kari Holloway
Kevin Sepulvado
33 Years: Rodger Isbell, Darryl Marshall
35 Years: Sam Ricci, Gus Sepulvado
37 Years: Michael Remedies
38 Years: Ellen Demaree 40 Years: Gerald Toopes 43 Years: Randy Glaze 46 Years: Judith Hardesty 47 Years: Willie McRunnels
New Arrivals
Zion Barnett Davis Jordan and Marianne Davis announce the birth of their son, Zion Barnett Davis, born July 16, 2021. Zion weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 20 3/4 inches long. Jordan is a Business Intellegence Team Lead working out of the Overland Park, Kansas, office.
Conley Breanne Bastian David and Shalae Bastian announce the birth of their daughter, Conley Breanne Bastian, born on May 22, 2021. Conley weighed 6 pounds and was 19 inches long. Conley was welcomed home by her big brother Chandler, 10, and her big sister Chloe, 4. Shalae is a Revenue Account Specialist working out of the Pittsburg, Kansas, office.
To submit your new arrival send a photo and information to marketing@watco.com August 2021 | The Dispatch 11
