Norfolk Southern Corp. and Honda Manufacturing of Alabama LLC today dedicated a new $15 million rail yard at Lincoln, Ala.
Honda's rail yard will be used to load and initiate rail transportation of outbound Odyssey minivans manufactured at Lincoln and will be used to support the transportation of additional Honda models that are to be produced there in the near future. The rail yard includes eight tracks in the rail loading area and has capacity for loading up to 1,120 vehicles into a combination of 104 bi-level and Auto-Max(r) rail cars.
The 125-acre yard features a state-of-the-art design for rail loading. Two outbound trains daily serve the 2.8 million square foot plant, which has the capacity to produce 300,000 vehicles annually.
Among those attending the dedication ceremony were Norfolk Southern Vice Chairman and Chief Marketing Officer Ike Prillaman. "This is the first Honda plant that Norfolk Southern serves directly, and we are proud to have been selected," Prillaman said.
"With the expansion of the plant, we will continue to seek new ways to create extra value for Honda to help them operate their business efficiently in distributing their vehicles to the marketplace."
The Lincoln plant currently employs approximately 3,100 associates. The second assembly line, which will produce the Honda Pilot, will begin production this spring and is expected to expand the workforce to 4,300.
"Honda quality is recognized in the products we manufacture not only here in Lincoln but in all our facilities throughout the world. A key to maintaining that quality is that our Honda dealers - and ultimately, our Honda customers - receive our products in pristine condition," said Chuck Ernst, plant manager at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.
"This new rail facility plays a vital role in making sure our Odyssey minivans - and soon, Honda Pilot sport utility vehicles - will arrive in a timely manner and in excellent condition. On behalf of the associates of Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, I extend our appreciation to Norfolk Southern, American Honda and everyone involved in the
construction and operation of this facility."
