Reading and Northern earns 'employer excellence' award

The Reading, Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad Co. (RBMN) earlier this month received the 2014 Employers Excellence Award for Process Improvement and Product Innovation at the annual Manufacturers and Employers Excellence Awards dinner in Orwigsburg Pa.

The short line was recognized for its major investments in process improvements and product innovations, including a refurbished Mark IV tamper now used to resurface the railroad, the acquisition of additional open-top hoppers and box cars to support traffic growth, and significant information technology upgrades, RBMN officials said in a news item posted on the railroad's web site.

In honor of winning the award, RBMN received a Certificate of Special Recognition from U.S. Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-Pa.); a Proclamation of Congratulations from the State Senate and Pennsylvania Sen. Dave Argall; a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; and recognition from the Schuylkill County Commissioners' board and Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association.

"Our thanks go to the Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & Employers Association for this prestigious honor and much appreciated recognition from so many important organizations in Pennsylvania," RBMN officials said.