PowerRail
PowerRail
The History of PowerRail
This article first appeared in the Railway-News Magazine Issue 3 2023.
A Look at the Past 20 Years
With a love of trains and 25 years’ experience in railroad and locomotive parts distribution, Paul P. Foster, PowerRail’s founder and CEO, recognised a need for servicing the short line railroad industry.
In March 2003, PowerRail Distribution was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. At the time, PowerRail was simply a distribution centre, offering quality aftermarket locomotive parts to railroads across the United States.
In May 2005, Foster saw an opportunity to begin manufacturing parts and components in-house, and therefore service a broader scope of customers. A new building was leased in Connersville, Indiana and PowerRail Manufacturing began producing locomotive engine-related parts and components, including compressors, pumps, motors and more.
In October of 2006, PowerRail Distribution felt their first wave of growing pains, which led to the relocation of their main distribution centre to a larger facility in the neighbouring town of Duryea, complete with an 80,000 sq. ft. warehouse to support the company’s rapidly growing business. As time progressed, Foster was able to bring railroad-experienced staff to PowerRail, along with an industry-accredited technical support staff.
The following year, in September 2007, PowerRail purchased Cooper Bearings in Georgetown, Delaware. Cooper Bearings is a leading remanufacturer of Bearings and Journal Boxes for both freight and passenger locomotives and cars. With over 20 years of experience and a name so well-known throughout the industry, the decision was made not to change the name to a PowerRail facility.
The next few years brought unprecedented growth and expansion. In March of 2010 PowerRail Electronics and Technology was formed. 2011 saw the addition of Rail & Traction North America, and Avoca Rail Products joined the family in 2013. Avoca Rail Products is PowerRail’s full-service fabrication and welding facility, supplying the rail industry with quality locomotive truck/bogie parts. Avoca Rail also specialises in products such as guide assemblies, traction motor covers, exhaust chambers, spring packs, and more.
