One of the nation’s largest railroad services companies plans to reopen a Tacoma Tideflats locomotive and rail car repair and rebuilding facility that closed last summer because of the recession. Progress Rail Services Corp., a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., is acquiring the buildings and machinery owned by Coast Engine and Equipment Co., which shut down at the end of July after the railroad overhaul business fell steeply. … [Alabama-bsed] Progress has 4,500 employees nationwide at about 120 facilities. Most of Progress’ facilities have nonunion work forces.
