Whiting says that key members of staff in Pittsburgh have become its employees and that the acquisition will complement its existing manufacturing and service operations in Chicago.

"This acquisition further strengthens Whiting's capabilities in servicing Class 1, Short Line and passenger railroads throughout North America," says Mr Jeff Kahn, Whiting Corporation's president. "And, for all customers, it means that, through a single phone call, the expanded services group can now deliver even greater service and engineering capabilities on many pieces of equipment in railyards across America."