Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries

Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, TILC, we formed two subsidiaries, TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013, for the purpose of providing railcar leasing services in North America for institutional investors. Each of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 are direct, partially-owned subsidiaries of TILC in which we have a controlling interest. Each is governed by a seven-member board of representatives, two of whom are designated by TILC. TILC is the agent of each of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 and, as such, has been delegated the authority, power, and discretion to take certain actions on behalf of the respective companies.

At September 30, 2023, the carrying value of our investment in TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 totaled $132.8 million. Our weighted average ownership interest in TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 is 38% while the remaining 62% weighted average interest is owned by third-party, investor-owned funds. The investment in our partially-owned leasing subsidiaries is eliminated in consolidation.

Each of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 has wholly-owned subsidiaries that are the owners of railcars acquired from our Rail Products and Leasing Groups. TRIP Holdings has wholly-owned subsidiaries known as Triumph Rail LLC ("Triumph Rail") and Tribute Rail LLC ("Tribute Rail"). RIV 2013 has a wholly-owned subsidiary known as TRP 2021 LLC ("TRP-2021"). TILC is the contractual servicer for Triumph Rail, Tribute Rail, and TRP-2021, with the authority to manage and service each entity's owned railcars. Our controlling interest in each of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 results from our combined role as both equity member and agent/servicer. The noncontrolling interest included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets represents the non-Trinity equity interest in these partially-owned subsidiaries.

Trinity has no obligation to guarantee performance under any of our partially-owned subsidiaries' (or their respective subsidiaries') debt agreements, guarantee any railcar residual values, shield any parties from losses or guarantee minimum yields.

The assets of each of Triumph Rail, Tribute Rail, and TRP-2021 may only be used to satisfy the particular subsidiary's liabilities, and the creditors of each of Triumph Rail, Tribute Rail, and TRP-2021 have recourse only to the particular subsidiary's assets. Each of TILC and the third-party equity investors receive distributions from TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013, when available, in proportion to its respective equity interests, and has an interest in the net assets of the partially-owned subsidiaries upon a liquidation event in the same proportion. TILC is paid fees for the services it provides to Triumph Rail, Tribute Rail, and TRP-2021 and has the potential to earn certain incentive fees. There are no remaining equity commitments with respect to TRIP Holdings or RIV 2013.

See Note 8 for additional information regarding the debt of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 and their respective subsidiaries.

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

In August 2021, the Company and Wafra, Inc. (“Wafra”), a global alternative investment manager, announced a new railcar investment vehicle (“RIV”) program between Trinity and certain funds managed by Wafra (“Wafra Funds”). As part of this program, a joint venture was formed, Signal Rail Holdings LLC (“Signal Rail”), which is currently owned 87.1% by Wafra Funds and 12.9% by TILC. To date, TILC has sold 6,460 railcars and related leases to Signal Rail for an aggregate sales price of $598.6 million. TILC services all railcars owned by Signal Rail.

Upon consideration under the variable interest entity (“VIE”) model of ASC 810, Consolidation, Trinity has concluded that Signal Rail meets the definition of a VIE. TILC has variable interests in Signal Rail arising from its 12.9% equity ownership position and its role as a service provider. We determined that Trinity is not the primary beneficiary and therefore does not consolidate this entity as we do not have the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance. We will absorb portions of Signal Rail’s expected losses and/or receive portions of expected residual returns commensurate with our 12.9% equity interest in Signal Rail.

Our investment in Signal Rail is being accounted for under the equity method of accounting. At September 30, 2023, the carrying value of TILC’s equity investment in Signal Rail was $20.7 million, which is included in other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying value of this investment represents our maximum exposure in Signal Rail.