Transportation Technology Center, Inc. joint ventures with Amsted Rail and Texas A&M are exploring the effects of accumulated mileage, high temperatures, and fatigue cracks on vertical split rims.

A shifting traffic base is generating improved designs, and a building boom not seen in years.

Amsted Rail and Russian freight car builder United Wagon Co. have entered into a joint venture to introduce heavy-haul freight rail rolling stock components into the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) freight rail market, which includes Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.