NRE Locomotive to Expand in Paducah

Locomotive company NRE plans to expand their operation in Paducah.

After re-opening its plant in 2019, citing a rebound in the rail industry and an increase in work orders, NRE has recently acquired the former Paducah & Louisville Railroad facility for their power assembly division, and KFVS reports they will be hiring at least 15 new highly-skilled machinists.

Bruce Wilcox, President of Greater Paducah Economic Development, said, "We are honored to facilitate NRE’s expansion and bringing these jobs to Paducah. Advanced industrial manufacturing is a target industry for GPED. These are the types of jobs we are pursuing.”

NRE's Power Assembly Division is currently based out of Hagerstown, Maryland, where they manufacture high horsepower diesel engine components, including pistons, cylinder heads and liners, and connecting rods. Steven Beal, NRE President, said this operation will be moved to Paducah and should have a grand opening in October.

Beal said, "The building, once renovated, will be upfitted with robotics and state-of-the-art CNC machines, allowing the business to continue to grow sustainably for years to come.” 

McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer said, “It is exciting to see the old Illinois Central Railroad Building not only back on track, but building steam, and once again growing and enhancing our great community.” 

Paducah Mayor Brandi Harless said, “Economic development is finally working as it should in Paducah/McCracken County. We are seeing jobs return to Paducah and new jobs being added. NRE has been an iconic shop in Paducah for decades. Their reopening several months ago was exciting and now their expansion and relocation of jobs to Paducah is icing on the cake. We look forward to their continued growth.” stated Paducah City Mayor Brandi Harless.

GPED assisted NRE by helping them navigate local inspections and get an incentivized industrial power rate from Paducah Power System. They also helped NRE get an incentive package from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.