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<TITLE>Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance</TITLE>
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<P style="font-size: 14pt" align="center"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
<FONT
style="font-size: 12pt">Washington, D.C. 20549 </FONT></B>

<P style="font-size: 18pt" align="center"><B>FORM 8-K</B>

<P style="font-size: 12pt" align="center"><B>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934</B>

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="center"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 3, 2009.</B>

<P style="font-size: 24pt" align="center"><B>AMERICAN RAILCAR INDUSTRIES, INC.<BR>
</B><FONT
style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT>
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  <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="33%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
 </TR>
 <TR valign="bottom">
  <TD style="border-bottom: #000000 1px solid"><B>Delaware</B></TD>
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD style="border-bottom: #000000 1px solid"><B>000-51728</B></TD>
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD style="border-bottom: #000000 1px solid"><B>43-1481791</B></TD>
 </TR>
 <TR valign="top">
  <TD>(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)</TD>
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD>(Commission File Number)</TD>
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD>(IRS Employer Identification No.)</TD>
 </TR>

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  <TD width="49%">&nbsp;</TD>
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  <TD width="49%">&nbsp;</TD>
 </TR>
 <TR valign="bottom">
  <TD style="border-bottom: #000000 1px solid"><B>100 Clark Street<BR>
St. Charles, Missouri<BR>
</B></TD>
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD style="border-bottom: #000000 1px solid"><B>63301</B></TD>
 </TR>
 <TR valign="top">
  <TD>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</TD>
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD>(Zip Code)</TD>
 </TR>

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<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="center">Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code: <B>(636)
940-6000</B>
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  <TD style="border-bottom: #000000 1px solid" nowrap><B>N/A<BR>
</B></TD>
 </TR>
 <TR>
  <TD nowrap>(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)</TD>
 </TR>

</TABLE>


<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left"><FONT face="Wingdings">o</FONT> Written communications pursuant to Rule 425
under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)<BR>
<BR>
<FONT face="Wingdings">o</FONT> Soliciting material pursuant to Rule
14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)<BR>
<BR>
<FONT face="Wingdings">o</FONT> Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))<BR>
<BR>
<FONT
face="Wingdings">o</FONT> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))<BR>

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<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left"><B>Section&nbsp;2 &#8211; Financial Information</B>

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;2.02 Results of Operation and Financial Condition</B>

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left">On March&nbsp;4, 2009, American Railcar Industries, Inc. (the
&#8220;Company&#8221;) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the year ended December&nbsp;31,
2008. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 and is incorporated by reference.

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left"><I>Limitation on Incorporation by Reference.</I>&nbsp;The information contained
in Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 is being furnished under Item&nbsp;2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed &#8220;filed&#8221;
for purposes of Section&nbsp;18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#8220;Exchange Act&#8221;), or
otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference
in such a filing.

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left"><I>Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements. </I>Except for
historical information contained in the press releases attached as exhibits hereto, the press releases contain
forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. Please refer to the cautionary notes in the press
releases regarding these forward-looking statements.

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left"><B>Section&nbsp;5 &#8211; Corporate Governance and Management</B>

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of
Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers</B>

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left"><B>Change in Executive Leadership</B>

<P style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 4%" align="left">On March&nbsp;3, 2009, James J. Unger announced his
resignation as President and Chief Executive Officer (&#8220;CEO&#8221;) of American Railcar Industries, Inc.
(&#8220;ARI&#8221; or the &#8220;Company&#8221;) at a meeting of the Company&#8217;s Board of Directors. The Board
accepted his resignation, which shall be effective April&nbsp;1, 2009. Also at the March&nbsp;3, 2009 Board meeting,
the Board appointed James Cowan as President and CEO of ARI, effective April&nbsp;1, 2009.

<P style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 4%" align="left">Mr.&nbsp;Unger will cease to be an employee of ARI as of
April&nbsp;1, 2009 but will serve the Company as a consultant beginning on that date. In this role, Mr.&nbsp;Unger will
report to and serve at the discretion of the Company&#8217;s Board.

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<P style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 4%" align="left">Mr.&nbsp;Cowan, 51, has served as Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer of the Company since December 2005. Prior to joining ARI, Mr.&nbsp;Cowan
spent his previous 26&nbsp;years in various positions involving the engineering, construction and manufacturing of multiple steel and
tubular products. From March&nbsp;2003 to August&nbsp;2005, Mr.&nbsp;Cowan served as President and Chief Operating
Officer of Maverick Tube Corporation, a North American manufacturer of welded tubular steel products used in the energy
industry. Prior to this position, from June&nbsp;2002 to March&nbsp;2003, Mr.&nbsp;Cowan served as President and Chief
Operating Officer of Vallourec&nbsp;&amp; Mannesmann Star, a French, German and Japanese joint venture and seamless
manufacturer of tubular steel products.

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left"><B>Section&nbsp;9 &#8211; Financial Statements and Exhibits</B>

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.</B>

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left">(d)&nbsp;Exhibits
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  <TD valign="top">
<DIV style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px">Exhibit&nbsp;Number </DIV>
</TD>
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD valign="top" align="left">Description</TD>
 </TR>
 <TR style="font-size: 1px">
  <TD style="border-top: #000000 1px solid" valign="top">
<DIV style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px">&nbsp;</DIV>
</TD>
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD style="border-top: #000000 1px solid" valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
 </TR>
 <TR valign="bottom">
  <TD valign="top">
<DIV style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px">Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 </DIV>
</TD>
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD valign="top" align="left">Press release dated March&nbsp;4, 2009 of American Railcar Industries, Inc.</TD>
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<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="center"><B>SIGNATURE</B>

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="left">Date: March&nbsp;4, 2009

<P style="margin-top: -11pt; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 46%" align="left">American Railcar Industries, Inc.

<P style="font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 46%" align="left">By: <U>/s/ Dale C.
Davies&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U><BR>
Name:
Dale C. Davies<BR>
Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer<BR>


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<P style="font-size: 10pt" align="center"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
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  <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="87%">&nbsp;</TD>
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 <TR valign="bottom">
  <TD valign="top">
<DIV style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px">Exhibit&nbsp;Number </DIV>
</TD>
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD valign="top" align="left">Description</TD>
 </TR>
 <TR style="font-size: 1px">
  <TD style="border-top: #000000 1px solid" valign="top">
<DIV style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px">&nbsp;</DIV>
</TD>
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD style="border-top: #000000 1px solid" valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
 </TR>
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  <TD valign="top">
<DIV style="margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0px">Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 </DIV>
</TD>
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD valign="top" align="left">Press release dated March&nbsp;4, 2009 of American Railcar Industries, Inc.</TD>
 </TR>
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</HTML>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "American Railcar Industries, Inc./DE", "cik": "0001344596", "assigned-sic": "3743", "irs-number": "431481791", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-51728", "film-number": "09656472"}, "business-address": {"street1": "100 CLARK STREET", "city": "ST. CHARLES", "state": "MO", "zip": "63301", "phone": "636-940-6000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "100 CLARK STREET", "city": "ST. CHARLES", "state": "MO", "zip": "63301"}}
Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 3, 2009.
AMERICAN RAILCAR INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
000-51728
43-1481791
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
100 Clark Street
St. Charles, Missouri
63301
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(636)
940-6000
N/A
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425
under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule
14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
Section 2 – Financial Information
Item 2.02 Results of Operation and Financial Condition
On March 4, 2009, American Railcar Industries, Inc. (the
"Company") issued a press release announcing its financial results for the year ended December 31,
2008. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference.
Limitation on Incorporation by Reference.
The information contained
in Exhibit 99.1 is being furnished under Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed "filed"
for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or
otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference
in such a filing.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.
Except for
historical information contained in the press releases attached as exhibits hereto, the press releases contain
forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. Please refer to the cautionary notes in the press
releases regarding these forward-looking statements.
Section 5 – Corporate Governance and Management
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of
Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Change in Executive Leadership
On March 3, 2009, James J. Unger announced his
resignation as President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of American Railcar Industries, Inc.
("ARI" or the "Company") at a meeting of the Company's Board of Directors. The Board
accepted his resignation, which shall be effective April 1, 2009. Also at the March 3, 2009 Board meeting,
the Board appointed James Cowan as President and CEO of ARI, effective April 1, 2009.
Mr. Unger will cease to be an employee of ARI as of
April 1, 2009 but will serve the Company as a consultant beginning on that date. In this role, Mr. Unger will
report to and serve at the discretion of the Company's Board.
Mr. Cowan, 51, has served as Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer of the Company since December 2005. Prior to joining ARI, Mr. Cowan
spent his previous 26 years in various positions involving the engineering, construction and manufacturing of multiple steel and
tubular products. From March 2003 to August 2005, Mr. Cowan served as President and Chief Operating
Officer of Maverick Tube Corporation, a North American manufacturer of welded tubular steel products used in the energy
industry. Prior to this position, from June 2002 to March 2003, Mr. Cowan served as President and Chief
Operating Officer of Vallourec & Mannesmann Star, a French, German and Japanese joint venture and seamless
manufacturer of tubular steel products.
Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit Number
Description
Exhibit 99.1
Press release dated March 4, 2009 of American Railcar Industries, Inc.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 4, 2009
American Railcar Industries, Inc.
By:
/s/ Dale C.
Davies
Name:
Dale C. Davies
Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number
Description
Exhibit 99.1
Press release dated March 4, 2009 of American Railcar Industries, Inc.