RSI no longer EMD distributor...

PCook · **Joined:** Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:16 am **Posts:** 2127

I heard recently that Rail Systems Inc. of Houma Louisiana is not longer an EMD parts distributor, announced last Friday. RSI was formed 24 years ago at the beginning of the EMD distributor program and since then had provided technical support and parts to regional railroads, commuter systems, shortlines, and museums.

Over the years they had been cooperative with preservationists in searching for technical information and specifications for items that were no longer available. EMD has indicated that the customers mentioned above will now be served directly through the EMD Parts Department.

The change was not reflected on either the EMD or RSI websites when I checked them. They will probably get it posted this week.

Here is a confirming news item:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/p ... p?id=26489

PC

etalcos · **Posted:** Sun May 01, 2011 6:23 pm

You know, I'm glad somebody had good luck with them. My experiences were poor to say the least. If I needed an EMD part and could not find it ANYWHERE else I would go to RSI. I'm STILL waiting for pricing and availability on inquires that are nearly two years old. Power Rail usually has answers inside 24 hours and we've used them wherever possible.

Maybe RSI and Logan can merge -- they're made for each other!

Good riddance to bad rubbish....

Benjamin J True · **Joined:** Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:53 am **Posts:** 79

Must be who you deal with there. Under a previous employeer I had no trouble, changed jobs and can't get the time of day.....

Any way one thing is for sure, they sold quality stuff, not like those infamous water pumps and air compressors we used to get from a certin PA supplier

I only hope EMD will maintain the support, supply, and quality with out a horrific price increase.....

PCook · **Joined:** Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:16 am **Posts:** 2127

I know that one of the things that happened at RSI that affected their customer support was that their previous Service Manager (a well known and very experienced former EMD Sales Engineer) retired a couple of years ago. He had four decades in the industry and it sometimes takes a while to recover from losing a senior employee.

PC

etalcos · **Posted:** Sun May 01, 2011 8:56 pm

Benjamin J True wrote:

Any way one thing is for sure, they sold quality stuff, not like those infamous water pumps and air compressors we used to get from a certin PA supplier

And who might be this supplier you speak of????

I haven't had any quality issues with Power Rail, but then again I haven't sampled all of their wares either. The one EMD water pump we've bought came form one of our regular Alco vendors, Hatch and Kirk. They were the only ones that had the core available for UTEX. Fortunately we've not had to do an air compressor, yet!

Jack A. Siffert · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:11 pm **Posts:** 373

Was on the www.emdiesel.com website last week. Like was mentioned. I hope they don't raise prices or worse yet start treating E.M.D. parts like Cat parts.