Tour of Freight Car America

Another industry tour in Roanoke two weeks ago was to Freight Car America.  Their facility is located in what were previously shops of the Norfolk Southern railroad (and before that the Norfolk & Western).  The buildings are of various age including some about 100 years old.  The facility itself is quite modern and produces mostly hopper cars, mostly for the Norfolk Southern, but also other companies.  The photo below is one of their Trackmobiles which they use to move the cars and materials around the facility.

Above is a partially completed hopper awaiting the car sides.  Most car components are manufactured on site though some parts are obtained from other sources.  

Above is a very old roundhouse now used for storage.  There is a turntable on the other side.  

Above is a completed hopper car.  JAIX is the Freight Car America leasing company reporting marks.  A good number of the cars they build are aluminum cars.

This was a really nice tour and quite informative.