SUPPLEMENT NO. 2 TO THE PROSPECTUS OF
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
DATED NOVEMBER 8, 1996
On December 10, 1996, the Company entered into a definitive agreement
to acquire from Charles E. Bradshaw, Jr. all of the common stock of The Durango
& Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Company ("D&SNG"), a privately-held scenic
railroad based in Durango, Colorado.
The Stock Purchase Agreement calls for payment of the purchase price
as follows: (i) seller financing in the amount of $4.2 million; (ii) a cash
payment of approximately $11.4 million, which the Company expects to raise in a
special program designed to encourage the exercise of outstanding warrants, as
well as through the use of other financing alternatives (excluding the sale of
additional common stock); and (iii) the issuance to the seller of 200,000 shares
of the Company's common stock and stock purchase warrants to purchase 600,000
shares of the Company's common stock which are exercisable at $5.00 per share.
As part of the acquisition, the Company is required to refinance D&SNG's
existing bank indebtedness of approximately $4.4 million for which the Company
has obtained a proposal from an asset-based lender. The closing is expected to
occur during February 1997. The Company has made a $2 million deposit in
connection with the proposed transaction which is refundable only upon the
occurrence of certain limited circumstances.
D&SNG operates a three and one-half hour (one way) scenic rail trip
between the town of Durango, Colorado and the old mining town of Silverton,
Colorado. The D&SNG carries approximately 200,000 passengers a year, and the
Company expects that its acquisition will result in revenue and cash flow to the
Company in advance of the commencement of the Florida Fun-Train which is
anticipated to be in the Fall of 1997. See p.27 of the prospectus dated November
8, 1996.
December 16, 1996
Supplement to Prospectus of First American Railways, Inc., dated
November 8, 1996.
On November 7, 1996, Eugene K. Garfield resigned as a Director and Vice
Chairman of the Board. On November 11, 1996, the Company negotiated a severance
package with Mr. Garfield which includes, among other things, (i) the payment of
$50,000 to Mr. Garfield which represents the balance of his employment agreement
(which expires February 16, 1997) along with applicable vacation pay, (ii)
mutual releases, and (iii) the modification and continuation of certain
non-disclosure and non-competition provisions of Mr. Garfield's terminated
employment agreement.
As a result of Mr. Garfield's resignation, the officers and directors
of the Company (10 persons) currently own an aggregate of 3,140,480 shares of
common stock of the Company (including currently exercisable stock options)
representing approximately 34.5% of the Company's currently outstanding common
stock (including currently exercisable stock options).
11,788,321 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
6,320,111 SERIES A REDEEMABLE WARRANTS
100,000 FINANCIAL ADVISORY WARRANTS
[LOGO]
This Prospectus relates to the offering of 11,788,321 shares of Common Stock,
$.001 par value (the "Shares"), along with 6,320,111 Series A Redeemable
Warrants ("Series A Warrants") and 100,000 financial advisory warrants
("Advisory Warrants"), (collectively the "Warrants") of First American Railways,
Inc. (the "Company"), by certain securityholders of the Company (collectively,
the "Selling Shareholders"). A total of 4,425,275 Shares offered hereby are
owned of record by the Selling Shareholders, and 7,263,046 shares offered hereby
represent Common Stock underlying outstanding Series A Warrants and Common Stock
underlying outstanding convertible secured notes (the "Notes"), which securities
were issued in connection with two recent private placements by the Company
(collectively, the "Private Placements"). Also included in the Common Stock
offered hereby are 2,357,338 Shares underlying certain additional Series A
Warrants which may be issued in the future, as described below, and 100,000
Shares underlying the Financial Advisory Warrants, described below. The
outstanding Series A Warrants are held as follows: (i) warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 650,000 Shares that expire in April 1998 and have an exercise price
of $3.50 per share are held by Capital Growth International, LLC, the Company's
placement agent in the Private Placements and its designees ("Capital Growth");
and (ii) warrants to purchase 3,312,773 Shares which are exercisable until April
or May 1998 at an exercise price of $3.50 per share are held by the Selling
Shareholders who participated in the Private Placements; and (iii) 2,357,338
warrants that would expire in April and May 1998 and have an exercise price of
$3.50 per share which may be issued to the holders of the Notes in certain
circumstances in connection with the prepayment of the Notes. The Series A
Warrants may be redeemed under certain circumstances. The remaining warrants
offered hereby consist of 100,000 Advisory Warrants that expire in February
2001, which are not redeemable and are exercisable at $2.50 per share. See
"Description of Securities."
The Company will not receive any proceeds from this offering; however, the
maximum gross proceeds payable to the Company from the exercise of all of the
outstanding Warrants would be $14,119,705, and an additional $8,250,683 would be
payable to the Company if the Warrants that may be issued in certain
circumstances in repayment of the Notes are exercised in full.
The Company's Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market ("Nasdaq")
under the symbol FTRN. On October 30, 1996, the last reported sales price of the
Common Stock was $3.75 per share. See "Price Range of Common Stock." Currently
there is no public market for the Warrants, nor is one expected to develop.
The Company is unaware of any specific plan of distribution of the Selling
Shareholders with respect to the Shares or the Warrants; however, it believes
that the Shares will be sold from time to time by such Selling Shareholders or
by their pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in interest, to or
through underwriters or directly to other purchasers or through brokers or
agents in one or more transactions at varying prices determined at the time of
sale or at a fixed or negotiated price. See "Plan of Distribution." The
aggregate net proceeds to the Selling Shareholders from the sale of the Shares
or Warrants pursuant to this Prospectus will be the sale price of such Shares or
Warrants less any commissions. The Company is paying all of the expenses in
connection with the preparation of this Prospectus and the related registration
statement and the qualification of the shares under applicable state securities
laws.
This offering is being made without using the services of an underwriter. The
Selling Shareholders and any broker-dealers, agents or underwriters that
participate with the Selling Shareholders in the distribution of the Shares may
be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), in which event any commission received by
such broker-dealers, agents or underwriters and any profit on the resale of the
Shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or
discounts under the Securities Act.
____________________
THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY ARE SPECULATIVE AND INVOLVE
A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. ONLY THOSE PERSONS ABLE TO
LOSE THEIR ENTIRE INVESTMENT SHOULD PURCHASE THESE SECURITIES.
SEE "RISKS FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6.
____________________
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
____________________
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOVEMBER 8, 1996.
In connection with this offering, the underwriter may over-allot or effect
transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Units, Common
Stock and Class A Warrants at a level above that which might otherwise prevail
in the open market. Such transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter
market or otherwise. Such stabilizing, if commenced, may be discontinued at any
time.
2
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE
DETAILED INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED NOTES APPEARING
ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION SET FORTH UNDER THE
HEADING "RISK FACTORS."
THE COMPANY
The Company was organized in the State of Nevada in 1987 and completed a
public offering of its securities in May 1987. Prior to the Merger described
below, the Company's business purpose was to seek to acquire suitable property,
assets or businesses by means of completing a merger with or the acquisition of
a privately-held business enterprise seeking to obtain the perceived advantages
of being a public company. The Company's predecessor by merger, First American
Railways, Inc., a Florida corporation ("First American-Florida"), was organized
in February 1994 with management who has experience in the passenger rail and
tourism industries.
Initially the Company intends to capitalize upon Florida's growing tourist
base by providing a unique entertainment-based passenger rail service, the
"Florida Fun-Train," between South and Central Florida. The Company plans to
offer a series of entertainment-based trains. Over the last several years
Florida has had an annual tourist base of approximately 40 million tourists.
Florida attracts tourists from across the world and was the top tourist
destination in the United States in 1995. South Florida, including the Florida
Keys, offers a number of well-known tourist destinations and a climate that
allows year-round outdoor activities, and is also a key entry point into the
state for cruise ships entering and leaving the Port of Miami and Port
Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), as well as tourists utilizing Miami International
and Hollywood-Fort Lauderdale Airports. Central Florida (Greater Orlando) plays
host to world renowned tourist destinations such as Universal Studios Florida,
Walt Disney World, Sea World, Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral. In 1994,
approximately 14 million people traveled between South and Central Florida.
The Florida Fun-Train is being designed to provide passengers with an
exciting, unique, fun-filled overland leisure excursion. The Company expects
that this will be accomplished through the use of a variety of entertainment
features, including "virtual reality" and "high-tech" games, as well as dining,
dancing and lounge cars offering a variety of live entertainment. It is
anticipated that the exterior of the Florida Fun-Train will be designed to have
the appearance of a colorful, ultra-modern train. The Florida Fun-Train's colors
will be vibrant unlike the typical passenger train in the United States. The
Company expects that most of its passengers will be tourists, and that the
Company's service will be offered as an "extension" of the passenger's vacation.
The Company intends to provide a high level of service in order to accommodate
its passengers.
The Fun-Train concept is to provide an enjoyable, high-quality entertainment
alternative to other means of transportation between South and Central Florida.
The Company's goal is to maximize the entertainment value of the travel time
while providing an efficient, safe and reliable form of transportation at a
reasonable price. As such, management of the Company believes it will be able to
capture both a portion of the tourist market intent on travelling between South
and Central Florida while also encouraging travel on the Florida Fun-Train by
tourists and residents who would not otherwise make the trip. Currently, travel
is made between South and Central Florida primarily by either automobile, bus or
airplane. The Company believes the Florida Fun-Train will offer advantages to
traveling by airplane, bus or automobile.
The Company is in the development stage, and to date it has had no material
operations; however, the Company has taken significant steps to commence
operations of the Florida Fun-Train. In that
3
regard the Company has: purchased its first passenger car; entered into an
agreement with Rader Railcar II, Inc. ("RRI") to manufacture the remaining
railcars for the Florida Fun-Train; entered into an agreement with CSX
Transportation, Inc. ("CSXT") for track use; obtained a letter of intent to
enter into an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation ("FDOT")
for track use and a terminal location in South Florida; selected a prospective
terminal site on the Orlando International Airport property and commenced
negotiations with the Orlando Utilities Commission ("OUC") and the Greater
Orlando Aviation Authority ("GOAA") in that regard and for the rights to use OUC
tracks leading into the proposed site, and commenced discussions with others
regarding an alternative terminal location in the Greater Orlando area;
commenced negotiations with the National Passenger Rail System ("Amtrak") for
certain technical services in connection with the Florida Fun-Train; engaged an
outside consultant to complete a definitive marketing study (which will include
discussions with wholesale travel and tour companies, rental car companies,
airlines and cruise lines); entered into an agreement with Universal Studios
Florida for joint marketing and sales efforts in connection with the Florida
Fun-Train services; and entered into a track rights agreement with Florida East
Coast Railroad Company ("FEC") for future use.
The Company's ability to meet its planned commencement date (Fall 1997)
depends on, among other things, successful and prompt completion of the
Company's pre-opening development activities. Presently, the Company believes it
has or will have access to sufficient funds to commence operations of the
Florida Fun-Train. See "Plan of Operation."
In the future the Company contemplates offering other entertainment-based
passenger trains for example: (i) developing and operating the "Space Coast
Fun-Train", which is to provide passenger service between South Florida and the
Florida Space Coast (near the Kennedy Space Center), and (ii) acquiring a
tourist destination train ("scenic railroad") outside Florida. Additional
funding will be required for these future rail operations; there can be no
assurance, however, that the Company will be in a position to launch the Space
Coast Fun-Train or any other rail operations at any time.
The Company maintains offices at 2445 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL
33020. Its telephone number is (954) 920-0606.
THE MERGER
On April 26, 1996, the Company merged with First American-Florida (the
"Merger") and the Company was the surviving entity. As a result of the Merger
the Company assumed all of the contractual rights, privileges and duties of
First American-Florida. In connection with the Merger the Company amended its
Articles of Incorporation to, among other things, change its name and create a
series of "blank check" preferred stock. See "The Merger."
4
THE OFFERING
THE OFFERING:
Maximum Common Stock Offered by the Selling
Shareholders Assuming Exercise of Warrants and
Conversion of Notes(1) ............................. 11,799,121 Shares
Maximum Common Stock Outstanding after the
Offering Assuming Exercise of All Warrants and
Conversion of Notes(1) ............................. 16,424,124 Shares
Nasdaq Small Cap Symbol for Common Stock ............. FTRN
Series A Warrants Offered
by Selling Shareholders(2) ......................... 6,320,111 Warrants
Advisory Warrants Offered by Selling Shareholders ... 100,000 Warrants
Use of Proceeds ...................................... The Company will not receive any proceeds from the
sale of the Shares or Warrants by the Selling
Shareholders. Any proceeds received by the Company,
from time to time, upon exercise of the Warrants
will be used for working capital and general corporate
purposes. See "Use of Proceeds."
Risk Factors ......................................... The securities offered hereby involve a substantial
degree of risk and should not be purchased by anyone
who cannot afford the loss of their entire investment.
See "Risk Factors."
<FN>
- -----------------
(1) Includes Shares to be issued upon the exercise of the Warrants, and
conversion of the Notes (or alternatively, the exercise of Series A
Warrants issued in connection with prepayment of Notes); as a result an
additional maximum 7,363,046 shares will be outstanding.
(2) No public market exists for the Warrants. Includes 2,357,338 Series A
Warrants that may be issued, in certain circumstances, in connection with
the prepayment of the Notes.
</FN>
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION:
The Company is unaware of any specific plan of distribution of the Selling
Shareholders with respect to the Shares or the Warrants, but believes that the
Shares will be sold at prevailing market prices on Nasdaq, without payment of
any underwriting commissions or discounts other than ordinary brokerage
transaction fees. See "Plan of Distribution." The aggregate net proceeds to the
Selling Shareholders from the sale of the Shares or Warrants pursuant to this
Prospectus will be the sale price of such Shares or Warrants less any
commissions. The Company is paying all of the expenses in connection with the
preparation of this Prospectus and the related registration statement.
5
RISK FACTORS
THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY ARE SPECULATIVE AND INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF
RISK. ONLY THOSE PERSONS ABLE TO LOSE THEIR ENTIRE INVESTMENT SHOULD PURCHASE
THESE SECURITIES. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS, PRIOR TO MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION,
SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THIS OFFERING DOCUMENT AND CONSIDER, ALONG WITH OTHER
MATTERS REFERRED TO HEREIN, THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS:
NO REVENUE; SUBSTANTIAL LOSSES. Neither the Company nor its predecessor by
merger, First American-Florida, have had any revenue from operations, and they
have an accumulated deficit during the development stage of $2,098,616
(unaudited) for the period from February 14, 1994 (incorporation) through June
30, 1996. The Company expects such losses to continue at least through
commencement of its rail operations in the Fall of 1997, and perhaps thereafter.
See "Plan of Operation."
NEW BUSINESS; SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS; UNCERTAINTY OF MARKET. The
Company is a development stage enterprise. The Company has not begun actual
passenger rail operations, has had no revenues to date and will not have any
revenues until such time, if any, as the Florida Fun-Train is placed into
service. The Company has incurred and will continue to incur substantial
expenses prior to the commencement of passenger rail operations, which is
scheduled to begin in the Fall of 1997. The Company is also subject to all of
the risks inherent in the creation of a new business. The Company's ability to
deliver its new service with good quality at a reasonable price cannot be
assured; and as a result, there can be no assurance that the Company's efforts
will result in a commercially viable business or that the Company will ever
operate at a profit. The level of acceptance of the Company's services by
consumers and the travel/tourism industry cannot be predicted. As a result of
its small size and capitalization and lack of operating history, the Company is
particularly susceptible to adverse effects of changing economic conditions and
consumer tastes, competition, technological developments, and other
contingencies beyond the control of the Company. Due to changing circumstances,
the Company may be forced to change dramatically, or even terminate, its planned
operations.
CERTAIN ASSUMPTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPANY'S PROPOSED OPERATIONS. The
Company's proposed rail operations are based on assumptions that are inherently
subject to significant economic and competitive uncertainties, all of which are
difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company.
These assumptions are also based on information about circumstances and
conditions existing at the time the prospective information was prepared. There
can be no assurance that any of the prospective information can be realized or
that the actual results will not be materially higher or lower than assumed
herein.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING. The Company believes that its current
funds, and the interest earned thereon, along with funds from additional
financing(s), will be sufficient to allow the Company to commence full revenue
service of the Florida Fun-Train in the Fall of 1997. Additional financing(s)
will be required to cover operating and capital expenditures if the Company's
initial operations do not materially exceed revenue expectations and assuming no
exercise of a material amount of the Warrants. Moreover, expansion of passenger
rail operations will require substantial additional financing after such time
period. The Company has made no arrangements to obtain future additional
financing, and there can be no assurance that such financings will be available,
or that financing will be available on acceptable terms.
LIMITED AND CONTINGENT TRACK RIGHTS. The Company has also negotiated an
agreement with CSXT (the "CSXT Agreement") for the use of the track between West
Palm Beach and Orlando. Among other things, this Agreement provides for a
five-year agreement and calls for significant payments to CSXT; in addition,
this contract will require the consent of Amtrak. See "Business." The CSXT
Agreement contemplates the requirement of a significant amount of comprehensive
general liability insurance.
6
Failure to comply with these and other obligations under the agreement with
CSXT could result in loss of such track rights without which the Company could
not operate the Florida Fun-Train. See "Plan of Operation."
The Company has entered into a letter of intent with the FDOT for use of
track rights in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties and use of a terminal in
Broward County for the Florida Fun-Train.
In connection with the Space Coast Fun Train, the Company entered into an
agreement with the Florida East Coast Railroad Company ("FEC") for the use of
certain track rights along the Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach-Titusville
corridor. Among other things, this ten-year agreement calls for significant
payments to FEC, and it requires the Company to maintain a significant amount of
comprehensive general liability insurance once the Space Coast Fun-Train is
operational. See "Business--Future Entertainment Trains."
The contractual payments by the Company to the track owners as contemplated
by the above-described agreements and understandings are significant and such
payments are based on the use of track and/or certain Florida Fun-Train revenue
(whichever is greater), and not on the Company's profitability. Further, there
can be no assurance that these contractual arrangement will be renewed after the
expiration of the applicable terms and the failure to renew either could
materially adversely affect the financial prospects of the Company.
CONSTRUCTION AND INDUSTRY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUN-TRAIN. The railcars
for the Florida Fun-Train (and the remodeling of the locomotives) must be
constructed. This construction and remodeling will be done in Denver, Colorado,
by Rader Railcar II, Inc. ("RRI"), which is controlled by Thomas G. Rader, a
director and the largest shareholder of the Company. The Company expects the
railcars and locomotives to be ready for delivery to the Company beginning in
approximately June 1997. There can be no assurance, however, that construction
and remodeling of the railcars will be completed on a timely basis. Delays may
be caused by technical difficulties, strikes, financial wherewithal and many
other factors which RRI may experience and which are beyond the Company's
control. In the event of such delays, the Company's operations could be delayed
and any such delay could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition. See "Certain Transactions," and "Business--Florida
Fun-Train."
Further, the Company has made its preliminary terminal site selections, but
has not made the necessary arrangements (by leasing or purchase and
construction) for any of the terminals for the Florida Fun-Train. The Company is
currently negotiating with various third parties in this regard; however, there
can be no assurance that these negotiations will be successful. See
"Business--Governmental Regulation." There can be no assurance that the
terminals will be timely constructed.
The Company's operations may be adversely affected by general economic
conditions and by numerous other factors, some of which are common to all
businesses and some of which are unique to the passenger rail industry. Such
factors include, among others: labor disturbances or strikes, either by on board
employees or land-based personnel, which could delay trains or force their
cancellation; government regulatory orders or rules which could adversely affect
the Company's operations; accidents causing damage to or resulting in the
impounding of the Company's railcars, which could result from a variety of
natural or man-made causes and could temporarily or permanently prevent the
Company's train(s) from operating; and insurance, which may be insufficient to
cover losses from the cessation of operations or the replacement or repair of
lost or damaged property.
NO AGREEMENT WITH ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDERS. The success of the Company's
Fun-Train concept will depend in part on the provision of entertainment,
including video presentations and computer games as well as live entertainment
to its railway passengers. To date, the Company has not entered into any
agreement with anyone to provide entertainment on the Fun-Trains. The failure to
enter into such agreements on terms acceptable to the Company would adversely
affect the Company's operations.
RELIANCE ON FLORIDA TOURISM MARKET. The Company's initial service, the
Florida Fun-Train, will target tourists visiting Florida. These planned
operations may be materially adversely affected by
7
declining growth or absolute declines in the number of tourists visiting
Florida. From time to time the Florida tourism market has experienced
slowdowns (declines in growth or absolute declines). The most recent decline
was the result of highly-publicized criminal attacks on tourists, as well as
increasing competition from other tourist destinations in the U.S. and the
Caribbean region, and economic problems in some of Florida's overseas tourism
markets. There can be no assurance that any such declines in Florida tourism
will not occur in the future, or that such declines would have a direct and
adverse impact on the Company's business. See "Business--Markets."
The Company's business may also be subject to certain seasonal fluctuations,
depending on the tourist seasons in Florida, particularly in South Florida
(Miami/Ft. Lauderdale) and the Orlando area.
MARKETING/DEPENDENCE ON WHOLESALE TOUR OPERATORS. The introduction of the
Company's passenger railroad service will depend on the Company's ability to
successfully implement a marketing program. Initially, the Company expects to
rely on wholesale tour operators and travel agents to sell tickets for its
passenger train service as part of a travel package. Thus far, the Company has
not entered into any agreement with any wholesale tour operator, or other third
party distributor. There can be no assurance that the Company will establish
satisfactory arrangements with such third party distributors or that sales of
tickets for the Company's new railway service will be at prices or in quantities
that will be profitable. The Company's present internal marketing and sales
capabilities are limited, and the Company will be dependent, in large part, upon
independent representatives of tour operators in the wholesale and retail travel
trade for the marketing and sales of its new service. Such persons also market
competing tourist services and entertainment attractions. Failure of the Company
to establish the necessary marketing and distribution network or to generate
profitable sales of tickets for the Company's new railway service will have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of
operations.
HIGH OPERATING COSTS; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FUEL PRICES AND MAINTENANCE OF
RAILROAD EQUIPMENT. The passenger rail industry is characterized by a high
degree of operating leverage. Specifically, fixed costs represent the major
portion of a railroad's operating expenses and cannot be significantly reduced
when competition or any of various other factors causes a reduction in load
factors (passenger occupancy as a percentage of capacity) or passenger fares or
en route revenues. Since railcar purchase or lease installment payments, train
operating expenses (including fuel, insurance, track usage charges and wages)
and corporate overhead will represent the vast majority of the Company's
expenses, the Company may not be able to reduce or decrease these costs on a
timely basis in the event that passenger levels drop or fares or en route prices
must be lowered because of competitive pressures. Accordingly, there is no
assurance that the Company will be able to operate profitably. Future increases
in the cost of diesel fuel, a major anticipated expense of train operations, are
difficult to predict given the continued economic and political uncertainties in
certain areas of the world. Despite the fact that the Company intends to
purchase new railcars and related rail equipment, there can be no assurance that
a significant amount of maintenance will not be required. See
"Business--Competition."
RISK OF OPERATING A RAILWAY SERVICE; POTENTIAL FOR LIABILITY CLAIMS. The
Company faces an inherent risk of exposure to liability claims in the event that
the operation of its trains results in accidents or other adverse effects.
Further, the Company's track usage agreements with the track owners require (or
are expected to require) that the Company maintain certain levels of liability
insurance protecting the track owners. See "Business." There can be no assurance
that the Company will not be faced with exposure to material liability claims.
The track rights agreements require (or will likely require) substantial general
comprehensive liability insurance (up to $300,000,000 in coverage), and the
premiums for such insurance will be significant. The Company has not obtained
any commitment for liability insurance for the operation of the Florida
Fun-Train, or that the Company will be able to maintain such insurance at
reasonable rates. Failure to maintain adequate insurance could place the Company
at great financial risk in the event of accidents and adversely affect the
Company's ability to do business. Further, even if the Company were to maintain
adequate insurance, adverse publicity from accidents could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business.
8
COMPETITION. Numerous companies, most of which are substantially larger than
the Company and have much greater financial and other resources, offer
alternative modes of transportation over the routes where the Company intends to
operate. These alternative modes of transportation, principally private motor
vehicles, bus service and passenger air service, offer transportation that is
less expensive and/or faster than the Company's proposed rail service. Most of
these competitors already enjoy an established presence in the Florida and
United States transportation and tourism markets. The Company expects to compete
on the basis of what it believes to be its unique combination package of
transportation and entertainment.
Amtrak currently operates a passenger train service between Miami/Fort
Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida with numerous stops. While the present Amtrak
service does not include the "entertainment-type" service which the Company
proposes to provide on the Florida Fun-Train, there can be no assurance that
Amtrak will not improve its service and offer amenities similar to those
proposed to be offered by the Company.
Generally, the Company faces extensive competition for the spending of
leisure time and dollars from numerous attractions in the tourist entertainment
sector. The Company's success will depend primarily on its ability to quickly
develop an entertaining, high-quality, efficient, safe and reliable service, as
well as its ability to market the service and secure consumer acceptance. It is
highly uncertain whether the Company will be successful in these efforts.
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION. The Company's contemplated railroad operations are
strictly intrastate and therefore not regulated by the federal government except
for various safety regulations promulgated by the Federal Railroad
Administration, as well as the Florida Department of Transportation's
application of federal safety rules. The Company's trains will be required to
have a safety inspection by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal
Railroad Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation before rail
operations commence (and periodically thereafter). The failure to "pass" safety
inspections both before operations commence and periodically thereafter would
result in the railroad operations ceasing until such time as the reason(s) for
failure are remedied. And such delay or cessation of operations would
materially, adversely affect the Company and its financial performance. See
"Business--Governmental Regulation."
In addition, the Company's operations will also be subject to environmental
regulation by federal and state agencies, as well as liquor licensing, health
regulations and other regulations promulgated by state and local authorities.
There can be no assurance that future regulatory compliance will not materially
adversely affect the Company's operations and profitability.
CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. The executive officers and directors of the Company
(eleven persons) jointly own an aggregate of 42.45% of the issued and
outstanding Common Stock of the Company (excluding Shares to be issued upon
exercise of the Warrants or conversion of the Notes), which is the only
outstanding capital stock of the Company and which has one vote per share.
Thomas Rader, a director of the Company, is the single largest shareholder of
the Company with 17.82% of the Common Stock. Therefore, management of the
Company should be able to control virtually all matters requiring approval of
the shareholders of the Company, including the election of all of the directors.
See "Principal and Selling Shareholders."
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. A significant portion of the Company's
available cash (approximately $9.2 million exclusive of applicable sales taxes)
is expected to be used to purchase the remaining railcars for the Florida
Fun-Train from RRI, a company which is controlled by one of the Company's
Directors, Thomas G. Rader. Mr. Rader is currently the Company's largest single
shareholder. The Company also expects to satisfy its future needs for railcars
through agreements with RRI. There can be no assurance that there will not be
material adverse consequences to the Company from the inherent conflict of
interest and lack of arm's-length negotiations in connection with any agreement
with RRI. Further, in the event that disputes arise between Mr. Rader or RRI and
the Company, resolution of such disputes, whether through legal action or
otherwise, could be severely
9
complicated by Mr. Rader's status as a director and a principal shareholder.
See "Business--Florida Fun-Train" and "Certain Transactions."
The CSXT Agreement provides that CSXT has the right to designate one member
of the Board of Directors of the Company. This could give rise to a conflict of
interest between the Company and CSXT.
OFFICER AND DIRECTOR INDEMNIFICATION. Pursuant to the Company's Bylaws, the
Company is obligated to indemnify each of its officers and directors to the
fullest extent permitted by law with respect to all liability and loss suffered,
and reasonable expense incurred, by such person in any action, suit or
proceeding in which such person was or is made or threatened to be made a party
or is otherwise involved by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director or officer of the Company. The Company is also obligated to pay the
reasonable expenses of indemnified directors or officers in defending such
proceedings if the indemnified party agrees to repay all amounts advanced should
it be ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification.
NO PAYMENT OF CASH DIVIDENDS. The Company has not paid any cash dividends to
holders of its Common Stock nor does it intend to declare any cash dividends
with respect thereto in the near future. Instead, the Company intends to retain
future earnings, if any, for use in its business operations. Further, the
security instrument securing the Notes prohibit the payment of any dividends on
the Common Stock. See "Dividend Policy."
ADVERSE EFFECT OF POSSIBLE REDEMPTION OF SERIES A WARRANTS. Upon redemption
of the Series A Warrants, the holders thereof would be required to (i) exercise
such warrants and pay the exercise price at a time when it may be
disadvantageous for them to do so, or (ii) accept the redemption price which is
likely to be substantially less than the market value of such warrants at the
time of redemption. See "Description of Securities."
EXERCISE OF THE WARRANTS AND/OR THE CONVERSION OF THE NOTES INTO COMMON STOCK
WILL HAVE DILUTIVE EFFECT. The Warrants will provide an opportunity for the
holders thereof to profit from a rise in the market price of the Common Stock,
of which there is no assurance, with resulting dilution in the ownership
interest in the Company held by the then present shareholders. Holders of the
Warrants or the Notes most likely would exercise such Warrants or convert the
Notes and purchase the Common Stock underlying such securities at a time when
the Company may be able to obtain capital by a new offering of securities on
terms more favorable than those provided by such Warrants or Notes, in which
event the terms on which the Company may be able to obtain additional capital
would be affected adversely.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE. All but 350,000 of the Company's current
outstanding shares of Common Stock (9,061,078 Shares) are "restricted
securities"; however, pursuant to this offering a significant number of such
currently outstanding shares (4,425,275 shares) are being offered hereby for
sale. In addition, in the future, these "restricted securities" along with the
balance of the Common Stock outstanding may be sold upon compliance with Rule
144, adopted under the Act. Rule 144 provides, in essence, that a person holding
"restricted securities" for a period of two years may sell only an amount every
three months equal to the greater of (a) one percent of the Company's issued and
outstanding Common Stock, or (b) the average weekly volume of sales during the
four calendar weeks preceding the sale. The amount of "restricted securities"
which a person who is not an affiliate of the Company may sell is not so
limited, since non-affiliates may sell without volume limitation their Shares
held for three years if there is adequate current public information available
concerning the Company. During each three-month period, beginning in April 1998,
a holder of restricted securities who has held them for at least the two-year
period may sell under Rule 144 a number of Shares up to approximately 90,500
Shares (assuming no exercise of Warrants or conversion of Notes). Non-affiliated
persons who hold for the three-year period described above may sell unlimited
Shares once their holding period is met.
DILUTION; FUTURE SALES OF STOCK BY THE COMPANY. After reserving a total of
7,363,046 Shares of Common Stock for issuance upon the exercise of the
outstanding Warrants and conversion of the Notes,
10
the Company will have in excess of 83,000,000 Shares of authorized but
unissued Common Stock available for issuance without further shareholder
approval. As a result, any issuance of additional Shares of Common Stock may
cause current shareholders of the Company to suffer significant dilution
which may adversely affect the market for the securities of the Company. See
"Description of Securities."
Prospective investors should be aware that the possibility of sales may, in
the future, depress the price of the Common Stock in any market which may
develop and, therefore, the ability of any investor to market Shares may be
dependent directly upon the number of Shares that are offered and sold.
Affiliates of the Company may sell their Shares during a favorable movement in
the market price of the Common Stock which may have a negative effect on its
price per share. See "Description of Securities."
NO ASSURANCE OF CONTINUED NASDAQ LISTING AND "PENNY STOCK" REGULATIONS
MAY IMPOSE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS
The Company's Common Stock began trading on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on
September 12, 1996. The Board of Governors of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. has established certain standards for the initial
listing and continued listing of a security on Nasdaq. The standards for initial
listing require, among other things, that an issuer have total assets of
$4,000,000 and capital and surplus of at least $2,000,000; that the minimum bid
price for the listed securities be $3.00 per share; that the minimum market
value of the public float (the shares held by non-insiders) be at least
$2,000,000, and that there be at least two market makers for the issuer's
securities. The maintenance standards require, among other things, that an
issuer have total assets of at least $2,000,000 and capital and surplus of at
least $1,000,000; that the minimum bid price for the listed securities be $1.00
per share; that the minimum market value of the "public float" be at least
$1,000,000 and that there be at least two market makers for the issuer's
securities. A deficiency in either the market value of the public float or the
bid price maintenance standard will be deemed to exist if the issuer fails the
individual stated requirement for ten consecutive trading days. If an issuer
falls below the bid price maintenance standard, it may remain on Nasdaq if the
market value of the public float is at least $1,000,000 and the issuer has
$2,000,000 in equity. There can be no assurance that the Company will continue
to satisfy the requirements for maintaining the Nasdaq listing. If the Company's
securities were to be excluded from Nasdaq, it would adversely affect the prices
of such securities and the ability of holders to sell them, and the Company
would be required to comply with the initial listing requirements to be relisted
on Nasdaq. Should the Company's Common Stock be delisted by Nasdaq then the only
likely public market for the Company's Common Stock would be the OTC Bulletin
Board.
If the Company is unable to satisfy Nasdaq's maintenance requirements and the
price per share were to drop below $5.00, then unless the Company satisfied
certain net asset tests, the Company's securities would become subject to
certain penny stock rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny
stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk
disclosure document prepared by the Commission that provides information about
penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The
broker-dealer must also provide the customer with current bid and offer
quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its
salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the
market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account. In addition,
the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not
otherwise exempt from such rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written
determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser
and receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. These
disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading
activity in the secondary market for a stock that becomes subject to the penny
stock rules. If the Company's Common Stock becomes subject to the penny stock
rules, investors in the Offering may find it more difficult to sell their
shares.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT OF ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK ON MARKET PRICE AND
RIGHTS OF COMMON STOCK. The Company's Articles of Incorporation authorize the
issuance of 500,000 shares of "blank
11
check" preferred stock ("Preferred Stock") with such designations, rights and
preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Accordingly, the Board of Directors is empowered, without shareholder
approval, to issue Preferred Stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion,
voting or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other
rights of the holders of the Common Stock. The issuance of any series of
Preferred Stock having rights superior to those of the Common Stock may
result in a decrease in the value or market price of the Common Stock.
Holders of Preferred Stock to be issued in the future may have the right to
receive dividends and certain preferences in liquidation and conversion
rights. The issuance of such Preferred Stock could make the possible takeover
of the Company or the removal of management of the Company more difficult,
discourage hostile bids for control of the Company in which shareholders may
receive premiums for their Common Stock and adversely affect the voting and
other rights of the holders of the Common Stock. The Company may in the
future issue additional shares of its Preferred Stock. See "Description of
Securities--Preferred Stock."
REQUIREMENTS OF CURRENT PROSPECTUS AND STATE BLUE SKY REGISTRATION IN
CONNECTION WITH THE EXERCISE OF THE WARRANTS. The Company will be able to issue
the Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants only if (i) there is a
current Prospectus relating to the securities offered under an effective
Registration Statement filed with the Commission, and (ii) such Common Stock is
then qualified for sale or exempt therefrom under applicable state securities
laws of the jurisdictions in which the various holders of such Warrants reside.
While this Prospectus relates to a current, effective registration statement,
there can be no assurance, that the Company will be successful in maintaining a
current Registration Statement. After a Registration Statement becomes
effective, it may require updating by the filing of post-effective amendments.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATED RISK. This Prospectus contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including
statements regarding, among other items (i) the Company's growth strategies,
(ii) the impact of the Company's products and anticipated trends in the
Company's business, and (iii) the Company's ability to enter into contracts with
certain suppliers and strategic partners. These forward-looking statements are
based largely on the Company's expectations and are subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Actual
results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a
result of the factors described herein, including, among others, regulatory or
economic influences. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no
assurance that the forward-looking information contained in this Prospectus will
in fact transpire or prove to be accurate.
12
THE MERGER
GENERAL. In conjunction with the Private Placements on April 26, 1996, (see
"Plan of Operation"), the Company merged with First American-Florida, a Florida
corporation (the "Merger"). The Company was the surviving entity in the Merger,
and as part of the Merger the Company issued one share of Common Stock for each
share of common stock of First American-Florida then outstanding, and changed
its name to "First American Railways, Inc." By virtue of the Merger, the Company
has succeeded to all of the contractual rights, duties and obligations of First
American-Florida, including, but not limited to, those arising under the
Warrants and other obligations incurred executed in connection with the Private
Placement. See "Certain Transactions."
The Company, formerly known as Asia-America Corporation and prior to that
Barona Enterprises, Inc., was formed in March 1987 for the purpose of acquiring
suitable property, assets or businesses by means of completing a merger with or
the acquisition of a privately held business enterprise seeking to obtain the
perceived advantages of being a public company. In March 1988, Barona
Enterprises, Inc. completed a public offering of its securities.
REVERSE STOCK SPLIT. Prior to completion of the Merger, the Company
effectuated a reverse stock split on a 1-for-108 basis which reduced its issued
and outstanding shares of common stock to 350,000 shares. All fractional shares
were rounded up to the nearest whole share. A pre-Merger shareholder of the
Company contributed sufficient shares to the Company for cancellation to offset
whole shares issued in lieu of fractional shares and to round off the exact
number of issued and outstanding shares to 350,000.
AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION. At the time of the Merger, the
Company amended its Articles of Incorporation to (i) change its corporate name,
(ii) authorize 500,000 shares of preferred stock, $.001 par value, to be issued
in such series and with such rights, preferences and designations as determined
by the Company's Board of Directors, and (iii) to provide that officers and
directors of the Company shall have no liability for breach of fiduciary duty
except as provided under Nevada law.
The State of Nevada has amended its corporation law subsequent to the
incorporation of the Company in 1987 to provide that directors and officers of a
Nevada corporation, if so stated in the Articles of Incorporation, shall not be
personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for a breach of
fiduciary duty except in the instance of intentional misconduct, fraud, knowing
violation of law, or the improper payment of dividends. By amending its Articles
of Incorporation, the Company intended to include a provision in its Articles of
Incorporation to take advantage of this provision in the law so as to be able to
retain the best qualified officers and directors free from claims under spurious
and frivolous shareholders' suits.
The Company has no present intention to issue any of its preferred stock, but
proposed new management desires to have such shares available should the need
arise to issue such shares for financing or other corporate purposes in the
future. All terms, conditions, rights and preferences of such shares, including
any separate series thereof shall be determined at the sole discretion of the
Company's Board of Directors. See "Description of Securities--Preferred Stock."
The preferred stock may be issued in series from time to time with such
designation, rights, preferences and limitations as the Board of Directors of
the Company may determine by resolution. The rights, preferences and limitations
of separate series of preferred stock may differ with respect to such matters as
may be determined by the Board of Directors, including, without limitation, the
rate of dividends, method and nature of payment of dividends, terms of
redemption, amounts payable on liquidation, sinking fund provisions (if any),
conversion rights (if any) and voting rights. The potential exists that the
preferred stock could be issued which would grant dividend preferences and
liquidation preferences to preferred shareholders. See "Description of
Securities--Preferred Stock."
13
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Shares offered
by the Selling Shareholders. Management estimates that the aggregate expense of
this offering will be approximately $116,800, all of which will be borne by the
Company.
The gross proceeds from the exercise of all of the outstanding Warrants would
be $14,119,705. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the exercise of the
Warrants, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes. Proceeds
not immediately required for such purposes will be invested principally in
United States government securities, short-term certificates of deposit, money
market funds or other short-term interest-bearing investments.
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
The Company's Common Stock recently began trading on the Nasdaq SmallCap
Market ("Nasdaq") under the symbol "FTRN". Prior to September 11, 1996, the
Company's Common Stock was quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the same
symbol. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of the
Common Stock for the period indicated in 1996.
1996: HIGH LOW
- ----- ------- -------
Second Quarter (beginning April
26) ............................... $6.375 $3.00
Third Quarter ..................... $5.375 $3.25
Fourth Quarter (through October
30) ............................... $ 4.75 $2.75
On October 30, 1996, the last reported sales price of the Common Stock was
$3.75 per share. As of that date, there were approximately 360 holders of
record of the Common Stock.
<FN>
- -----------------
* Market prices have been disclosed for the post-Merger period; prior thereto
there had been no active trading market for the stock during the last three
years.
</FN>
14
DIVIDEND POLICY
Holders of the Company's Common Stock are entitled to dividends when, as and
if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor.
The Company does not anticipate the payment of any dividends in the foreseeable
future. The Company intends to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the
development and expansion of its business. Future dividend policy will be
subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be contingent upon
future earnings, if any, the Company's financial condition, capital
requirements, general business conditions and other factors. Therefore, there
can be no assurance that any dividends of any kind will ever be paid. Further,
the Notes provide that the Company will not (i) declare or pay any dividend or
make any other distribution of the Company, except dividends or distributions
payable in equity securities of the Company, or (ii) purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire or retire for value any equity securities of the Company,
except (a) an equity security acquired upon conversion thereof into other equity
securities of the Company and (b) any equity security issued to employees,
directors or others performing services in accordance with agreements providing
for such repurchase at original cost upon termination of employment, membership
on the Board of Directors or other affiliation with the Company.
15
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data as of December 31, 1995, and for the
eight months then ended and the year ended April 30, 1995, is derived from the
Company's audited financial statements included elsewhere herein. The financial
data as at June 30, 1996 and 1995 and for six months ended June 30, 1996 and
1995 and for the cumulative period for February 14, 1994 (incorporation) through
June 30, 1996, has not been audited by independent auditors; however, in the
opinion of management such financial data includes all adjustments (consisting
of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the information set
forth therein. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the
entire year. The following data should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements of the Company, including notes thereto, and other financial
information included elsewhere herein.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
CUMULATIVE FROM
THE PERIOD FOR THE SIX MONTHS
FEBRUARY 14, 1994 ENDED JUNE 30, FOR THE EIGHT FOR THE YEAR
(INCORPORATION) ---------------------------- MONTHS ENDED ENDED
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, APRIL 30,
JUNE 30, 1996 1996 1995 1995 1995
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
------------------ ------------- ------------- ---------------- ---------------
Net Loss .......... $(2,098,616) $(759,207) $(442,316) $(720,413) $(618,996)
Net Loss Per Share -- $ (.12) $ (.10) $ (.17) $ (.14)
BALANCE SHEET DATA
JUNE 30, 1996 DECEMBER 31, 1995
(UNAUDITED)
---------------- ------------------
Working Capital ..................... $12,748,710 $(580,366)
Total Assets ........................ 14,724,221 357,672
Total Liabilities ................... 8,407,041 582,046
Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) 6,317,180 (224,374)
16
PLAN OF OPERATION
PLAN OF OPERATION
The Company proposes to provide its customers with innovative, quality,
entertainment-based passenger rail service. The Company is in the development
stage, and to date it has had no material operations; however, the Company has
taken significant steps to commence operations of the Florida Fun-Train. In that
regard the Company has: purchased its first passenger car; entered into an
agreement with RRI to manufacture the remaining railcars for the Florida
Fun-Train; entered into an agreement with CSXT for track use; obtained a letter
of intent to enter into an agreement with the FDOT for track use and a terminal
location in South Florida; selected a prospective terminal site on the Orlando
International Airport property and commenced negotiations with the OUC and GOAA
in that regard and for the rights to use OUC tracks leading into the proposed
site, and commenced discussions with others regarding an alternative terminal
location in the Greater Orlando area; commenced negotiations with Amtrak for
certain technical services in connection with the Florida Fun-Train; engaged an
outside consultant to complete a definitive marketing study (which will include
discussions with wholesale travel and tour companies, rental car companies,
airlines and cruise lines); entered into an agreement with Universal Studios
Florida for joint marketing and sales efforts in connection with the Florida
Fun-Train services; and entered into a track rights agreement with FEC for
future use. See "Business." The Company anticipates commencing promotional rail
service for the Florida Fun-Train in the Summer 1997, and full rail service in
the Fall 1997. Until full service is commenced, the Company does not expect to
generate any material revenues; nevertheless, during the next twelve months the
Company expects to have significant capital expenditures for railcar
construction, terminal leasing and/or construction, and track and leasehold
improvements, and significant operating expenses for salaries, marketing and
track use (when rail service commences).
The Company plans to use its current available funds (i) to pay the expenses
in connection with the commencement of the operation of the Florida Fun-Train
and (ii) provide working capital to support the Florida Fun-Train's initial
operations to the extent that cash flow from such operation is insufficient. See
"Business."
During this development stage, the Company has agreed to purchase additional
Fun-Train railcars pursuant to a construction agreement with RRI. The Company
has contracted to spend a maximum of approximately $9.7 million (including
applicable sales taxes) to purchase up to 12 railcars and make exterior
modifications to three diesel locomotives. The Company expects to lease two
diesel locomotives prior to commencing operations, and it estimates, based on
currently available information, that diesel locomotives are generally available
for lease for approximately $14,000/month/locomotive.
The railcar construction agreement with RRI required a significant down
payment with the balance of the contract price to be paid in installments;
however, this payment schedule will vary depending on the number and delivery
schedules of the cars actually purchased. The Company expects the railcars to be
completed and delivery to begin in the Summer 1997 and it expects staggered
delivery of the railcars to continue during the Summer 1997 so that it can begin
offering promotional rail service of the Florida Fun-Train at that time. See
"Risk Factors--Construction and Industry Risks Associated with the Fun-Train."
Before the Florida Fun-Train rail operations can commence, the Company must
construct or otherwise obtain the use of terminals at each end of the proposed
route. The Company is currently in negotiations in this regard, and it is in the
process of finalizing its cost estimates and determining the extent of
governmental support for these activities, if any. During the next 12 months the
Company expects to increase its work force from the ten persons currently
employed by the Company (eight of whom are management). The Company will be
required to hire approximately 75 additional employees; however, the exact
number of employees is dependent on the Company's decision with respect to
outsourcing, its marketing and rail operations functions, etc.
There can be no assurance that all of the foregoing arrangements or
agreements, which are still to be negotiated, will be made in a timely fashion.
See "Risk Factors" and "Business." In addition, the Company will be required to
obtain certain levels of insurance, hire qualified employees and it may be
required to develop its own maintenance services and its own reservation system.
17
Upon launching the Florida Fun-Train, revenues will be generated from both
passenger ticket sales and onboard passenger revenues. The Company estimates,
although there can be no assurance that such prices will be realized, that the
initial one-way ticket price for the Florida Fun-Train will be in the range of
$65-$75 (before discounts) and that the average per passenger en route revenue
(for food, beverages, entertainment and souvenirs) will be in the range of
$20-$25. A significant portion of the tickets sold for the Florida Fun-Train are
anticipated to be sold through travel wholesalers and travel agents. Travel
wholesalers and travel agents typically earn commissions and discounts of
approximately 20% and 10%, respectively. The Florida Fun-Train is anticipated to
consist of up to eight passenger cars which would accommodate up to 632
passengers (approximately 80 passengers per car).
Presently, the Company contemplates offering in the future another
entertainment train to be known as the Space Coast Fun-Train which is to provide
passenger service between South Florida and the Florida Space Coast (near the
Kennedy Space Center). Also, the Company is actively pursuing a strategy of
acquiring a tourist destination train. See "Business--Future Entertainment
Trains."
DEVELOPMENT STAGE ACTIVITIES AND LIQUIDITY
GENERAL:
Neither the Company nor its predecessor by merger, First American-Florida,
have had any revenue from operations, and the Company has had accumulated losses
of $2,098,616 (unaudited) for the period from February 14, 1994 (incorporation)
through June 30, 1996. The Company expects such losses to continue at least
through commencement of its full rail operations in the Fall 1997, and perhaps
thereafter. Since inception the Company's (and its predecessor's) activities
have been funded by the private placement of its securities and by borrowings,
the net cash proceeds from which have totaled $15,417,649; of this amount,
approximately $507,000 in cash was used to pay the expenses of offerings not
completed, and approximately $850,000 in cash was used to purchase a rail car
for future use.
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1995:
The Company was initially capitalized with $18,000. Thereafter, in October
1994, the Company completed a private placement of securities in which it sold
an aggregate of 420,570 shares of common stock to 24 investors for a total of
approximately $961,000 in net proceeds. There was no placement agent retained in
connection with this private placement. These aggregate funds were used to pay a
deposit of $350,000 on the first railcar for the Florida Fun-Train, and the
balance was used to pay direct costs associated with further capital raising,
and general and administrative expenses (which were related to the
pre-commencement activities for the Florida Fun-Train and capital raising
activities).
EIGHT MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995:
The Company explored various financing alternatives; however, no additional
capital was raised during this period. The Company borrowed an additional
$270,000 in order to support its operations. During this period, the Company had
a net loss of $720,413, of which approximately $282,000 were expenses of
offerings not completed. In addition, a significant amount of other expenses,
principally the salaries of officers and employees, were expended in connection
with capital raising activities.
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996:
In March 1996, the Company completed a private placement of securities in
which it sold an aggregate 375,004 shares of common stock and issued $500,000 in
convertible notes, bearing interest at 10% per annum, for aggregate net proceeds
of $393,709. In April-May 1996, the Company completed a private placement of
securities, in which it sold 3,950,271 Series A Warrants, exercisable at $3.50
per share, and 4,050,271 shares of Common Stock valued at $8,250,683 and issued
$8,250,682 (principal amount) in Notes, bearing interest at 10% per annum, for
aggregate net proceeds of $14,514,905 (of
18
which $416,300 was not cash consideration, but represented the conversion of
the principal and accrued interest on certain secured notes issued in the
March 1996 private placement into securities sold in the April-May 1996
private placement).
The Company used $778,388 of the proceeds to repay $333,388 in notes payable
to related parties and others, and $445,000 to repay notes payable from the
financing completed in March 1996. In addition, in June 1996 the Company made a
payment of $536,000 to RRI representing the final payment (plus interest and
costs of repairs) due on the first railcar purchased. In addition, a significant
portion of the proceeds of the April-May 1996 private placement (approximately
$830,000) were escrowed to pay the first year's interest on the Notes sold in
that private placement.
To date the Company has not generated any revenue and as of June 30, 1996 it
had accumulated losses of $2,098,616 (unaudited). At June 30, 1996, the Company
had working capital of $12,748,710 and stockholders' equity of $6,317,180
(unaudited).
LIQUIDITY:
The Company's future cash requirements will be significant. The Company
expects that the proceeds from the Private Placements, along with prospective
leasing and financing opportunities which management believes are available,
will be sufficient to enable the Company to commence operations of the Florida
Fun-Train in the Fall 1997. There can be no assurance, however, that operations
will in fact commence as scheduled, nor that unanticipated problems may arise
which may necessitate the need for additional financing until the Company can
generate revenues sufficient to meet operating expenses. Further, there can be
no assurance that the Company will not experience adverse changes in its
business prospects, its proposed operations, or in the transportation or tourism
industries, or the U.S. economy, generally. See "Business."
FUTURE ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 "Accounting for Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of" ("SFAS No.
121"). SFAS No. 121 requires, among other things, impairment loss of assets to
be held and gains or losses from assets that are expected to be disposed of be
included as a component of income from continuing operations before taxes on
income. The Company has adopted SFAS No. 121 as of January 1, 1996 and its
implementation did not have a material effect on the financial statements.
In October 1995, FASB issued SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock Based
Compensation." SFAS No. 123 requires that a fair value method for accounting for
stock-based compensation plans be calculated and either recognized in the
financial statements or disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. The
Company does not presently intend to adopt the fair value based method and as
such, earnings will not be impacted by these options. However, it will disclose
in the footnotes the effects of the calculation required by the statement.
19
BUSINESS
The Company was organized in the State of Nevada in 1987 and completed a
public offering of its securities in May 1987. Prior to the merger described
below, the Company's business purpose was to seek to acquire suitable property,
assets or businesses by means of completing a merger with or the acquisition of
a privately-held business enterprise seeking to obtain the perceived advantages
of being a public company. The Company's goal is to become a recognized leader
in providing innovative, quality, entertainment-based passenger rail service.
First American-Florida was organized in February 1994 with management who has
experience in the passenger rail and tourism industries. Over the last several
years Florida has had an annual tourist base of approximately 40 million
tourists. Initially the Company intends to capitalize upon Florida's growing
tourist base by developing and operating unique entertainment-based passenger
rail service, the "Florida Fun-Train", between South and Central Florida. First
American-Florida merged into the Company in April 1996. The Company plans to
develop and offer a series of entertainment-based trains, beginning with the
"Florida Fun-Train".
Florida attracts tourists from across the world and was the top tourist
destination in the United States in 1995. South Florida not only contains a
number of well-known tourist destinations, but is also a key entry point into
the state for cruise ships entering and leaving the Port of Miami and Port
Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), as well as tourists utilizing Miami International
and Hollywood-Fort Lauderdale Airports. Central Florida (Greater Orlando) plays
host to world renowned tourist destinations such as Universal Studios Florida,
Walt Disney World, Sea World, Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral. In 1994,
approximately 14 million people traveled between South and Central Florida.
The Florida Fun-Train is being designed to provide passengers with an
exciting, unique, fun-filled overland leisure excursion. The Company expects
that this will be accomplished through the use of a variety of entertainment
features, including "virtual reality" and "high-tech" games, as well as dining,
dancing and lounge cars offering a variety of live entertainment. It is
anticipated that the exterior of the Florida Fun-Train will be designed to have
the appearance of a colorful, ultra-modern train. The train's colors will be
vibrant unlike the typical passenger train in the United States. The Company
expects that most of its passengers will be tourists, and that the Company's
service will be offered as an "extension" of the passenger's vacation. The
Company intends to provide a high level of service ("customer care") in order to
accommodate its passengers; to facilitate this the Company has hired an employee
(vice president) who is specifically charged with these duties. See
"Management."
In the future the Company contemplates offering other entertainment-based
passenger trains including (i) developing and operating the "Space Coast
Fun-Train", which is to provide passenger service between South Florida and the
Florida Space Coast near the Kennedy Space Center, and (ii) acquiring a tourist
destination train ("scenic railroad") outside Florida. The Company will be
required to seek additional financing for these future opportunities; there can
be no assurance that such financing will be available on terms acceptable to the
Company or that the Company will be in a position to launch the Space Coast
Fun-Train or any other rail operations at any time.
Management of the Company has experience in the passenger rail and tourism
markets. The Company's Chairman of the Board is on the Board of Directors of the
Tri-County Rail Authority (Chairman from October 1992 to October 1993 and from
July 1995 to June 1996). The Authority operates a 67-mile mass transit railroad
service known as "Tri-Rail" between the metropolitan areas of Miami, Fort
Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida, and carries approximately 10,000
passengers daily. The Company's Vice Chairman was the founder and is the former
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Auto-Train Corporation (which carries
passengers and their automobiles on the same train, between the Washington, D.C.
area and the Orlando, Florida area).
The Fun-Train concept is to provide an enjoyable, high-quality entertainment
alternative to other means of transportation between South and Central Florida.
The Company's goal is to maximize the
20
entertainment value of the travel time while providing an efficient, safe and
reliable form of transportation at a reasonable price. As such, management of
the Company believes it will be able to capture both a portion of the tourist
market intent on travelling between South and Central Florida while also
encouraging travel on the Florida Fun-Train by tourists and residents who would
not otherwise make the trip. Currently, travel is made between South and Central
Florida primarily by either automobile or airplane. The Company believes the
Florida Fun-Train will offer significant price advantages to traveling by
airplane while travelling by automobile does not offer the entertainment value
provided on the Florida Fun-Train.
COMPETITION
Generally, the Company faces extensive competition for the spending of
leisure time and dollars from numerous attractions in the tourist entertainment
sector. The Company's success will depend primarily on its ability to quickly
develop an entertaining, high-quality, efficient, safe and reliable service, as
well as its ability to market the service and secure consumer acceptance. It is
uncertain whether the Company will be successful in these efforts.
Numerous companies, most of which are substantially larger than the Company
and have much greater financial and other resources, offer alternative modes of
transportation over the routes where the Company intends to operate. In addition
to the extensive competition in the transportation sector, the Company faces
extensive competition for the spending of leisure time and dollars from numerous
attractions in the tourist entertainment sector. These alternative modes of
transportation, offer transportation that is less expensive and/or faster than
the Company's proposed rail service. Most of these competitors already enjoy an
established presence in the Florida and United States transportation and tourism
markets. The Company expects to compete on the basis of what it believes to be
its unique product, which will provide a combined package of transportation and
entertainment.
The Company believes its principal competition in the transportation sector
occurs from airlines, automobiles and inter-city buses. While air travel is a
faster means of transportation, it is generally more expensive than the
Company's proposed fares; however, there are certain low-fare air carriers
operating in the South Florida/Orlando corridor. Further the Company believes
that airline travel does not provide significantly greater convenience within
the scope of the Florida Fun-Train's projected routes. Automobile travel is, on
the other hand, less expensive, but lacks the convenience and ease of transport
expected to be provided by the Florida Fun-Train.
In addition, Amtrak currently operates passenger train service between
Miami/Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida with numerous stops in between. The
cost of a round-trip ticket on Amtrak between Miami/Fort Lauderdale and Orlando
is currently $123 (first class service) and $55 (coach service.) Presently
Amtrak service does not include the "entertainment-type" service which the
Company proposes to provide on the Florida Fun-Train; however, there can be no
assurance that Amtrak will not improve its service and offer amenities similar
to those proposed to be offered by the Company. The Company is currently
negotiating with Amtrak for the latter to provide certain "technical services"
for the Florida Fun-Train. See "Business--Florida Fun-Train."
The Company believes that its principal competition stems from air,
automobile and other railway companies. The Company is not aware of any other
person or entity currently planning to provide a service directly competitive
with the Florida Fun-Train, or the Space Coast Fun-Train; however, the Company
is generally aware of the fact that Walt Disney Company has indicated from time
to time its interest in establishing a rail link between its operations in
greater Orlando and one or more cruise ports in Florida. There can be no
assurance that such a competitor will not appear before or after the Company
commences operations.
FLORIDA FUN-TRAIN
The Company plans to commence operations of the Florida Fun-Train during
the Fall 1997.
21
The Florida Fun-Train is anticipated to consist of:
8 Dome Passenger Cars* Each car will provide comfortable, spacious seating and
meal service for approximately 80 passengers (which
includes the initial prototype car already owned by the
Company).
4 Bilevel Entertainment These cars will consist of (i) one "bar car" which will
Cars* serve cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and provide live
entertainment, and music for listening and/or dancing,
(ii) one "electronic game" car which is expected to
contain high-tech video and virtual reality as well as
music and live entertainment (provided by musicians,
disc jockeys, magicians, clowns, etc.), (iii) one multi
media car which will include a custom designed
entertainment area which will provide the latest in
audio/visual special effects and (iv) one lounge car
which will consist of an ice cream/pizza parlor, a
children's play area and gift shop.
1 Baggage Car This car will provide storage space for the passengers'
luggage.
<FN>
- -------
* The Fun-Train's operation may commence with less than eight passenger cars and/or
less than four entertainment cars.
</FN>
The Company intends to have all of these railcars constructed by Rader
Railcar, Inc. See "Certain Transactions."
In addition, each Fun-Train will utilize two leased diesel locomotives, which
will be remodeled to give the appearance of a sleek, high-speed locomotive. It
is currently contemplated that one locomotive will be positioned on each end of
the train, allowing the train to be operated in either direction without the
need to turn the train around.
The Company plans to initially operate the Florida Fun-Train between Fort
Lauderdale and Orlando on currently existing FDOT and CSXT tracks.
The tracks between Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach which comprise part of
the proposed route of the Florida Fun-Train are controlled by FDOT. The Company
has been in negotiations with FDOT to obtain the right to use this track. The
Company has entered into a letter of intent in this regard. Based on this letter
of intent, the Company anticipates that the track usage fee for the use of this
portion of the proposed route will range from $400 to $600 per train trip
(one-way); this cost to the Company is expected to include the right to use a
railroad terminal in Broward County which would serve as the southern terminal
for the Florida Fun-Train (as described below) and the track rights to an
existing railroad maintenance facility in Hialeah, FL. The Company believes it
will have a final agreement in this regard in the near future.
The CSXT Agreement dated October 31, 1996, provides for the use of CSXT's
tracks between West Palm Beach and Orlando to be used for the operation of the
Florida Fun-Train. The CSXT provides, in part, that the Company will initially
pay CSXT the greater of $20 per train-mile, or 16% of the Company's gross ticket
revenue (less discounts) from the Florida Fun-Train operations. The Company's
payment requirements under the CSXT Agreement are as follows: the per train-mile
amount is subject to various increases for inflation and other price adjustments
including, (i) an annual increase, beginning January 1, 1999, in the per
train-mile charge equal to the inflation index of the Association of American
Railroads, (ii) a $50,000 per month reduction for the aggregate train-mile
charge in 1997, 1998 and 1999, and (iii) a $2.20 increase in the per train-mile
charge along with a limit in certain circumstances on the total annual
compensation to CSXT beginning in the year 2000 and thereafter. In addition, the
Company is required to maintain at least $300 million in comprehensive general
liability insurance with a minimal deductible (or self-assured). Pursuant to the
CSXT Agreement, CSXT has agreed not to grant similar access rights to the
subject rail corridor (between West Palm Beach and Orlando) to any other private
rail passenger operator or contractor which would provide comparable
conventional rail passenger service for the cruise ship
22
market. The exclusivity provision specifically excepts the provision of
access to the subject CSXT route by Amtrak and the Tri-County Commuter Rail
Authority, as well as other publicly-funded authorities with statutory and/or
contractual rights with respect thereto. The exclusivity also does not apply
to high-speed rail activities. In addition, the exclusivity clause will be
voidable at CSXT's option if (i) after the first year of operation, the
Company does not operate at least 16 Florida Fun-Trains a week, or (ii)
management of the Company changes significantly. The term of the agreement
will be five years. In addition to the foregoing, the Company has agreed to
sell up to 475,000 warrants to CSXT, exercisable at $4.50 per warrant with
the initial installment of 75,000 warrants being exercisable upon the
commencement of operations of the Florida Fun-Train and thereafter in four
equal annual installments of 100,000 warrants each commencing January 1,
1998; no provision has been made herein for the effect of the issuance or
exercise of these warrants when and if issued. Also, the Company has
tentatively agreed to appoint a CSXT representative, selected by the Company,
to its Board of Directors.
The track rights agreements that the Company has or are expected to have with
track owners, will require the substantial amounts of general comprehensive
liability insurance (up to $300 million in coverage). The Company has received
proposals from various insurance brokers to assist it in obtaining the coverage.
In this regard, the Company has selected an internationally--recognized
insurance brokerage firm which has advised the Company that this type and amount
of insurance is generally available, at reasonable rates, and it believes the
Company will be able to secure a commitment for such insurance prior to the
commencement of the Florida Fun-Train's operations.
The initial terminal locations are planned to be in Fort Lauderdale (which is
located in the center of the metropolitan area comprising Dade, Broward and Palm
Beach Counties) and in the Greater Orlando area, the home of Walt Disney World,
Universal Studios Florida, Sea World and numerous other attractions.
The Company has entered into a letter of intent with FDOT for the use of an
existing railroad terminal which is currently used by Tri-Rail and Amtrak and
which is located on a rail corridor in Broward County and is proximate to the
intersection of I-95 and Broward Boulevard. This site will serve as the southern
terminal for the Florida Fun-Train. The Company is also negotiating with
Tri-Rail and Amtrak for the right to use various sidings along this section of
the route, including those near the aforementioned terminal site and with Amtrak
for the use of the rail maintenance facility in Hialeah, FL. The proposed
northern terminal location is on Orlando International Airport property
controlled by GOAA and OUC. The Company has commenced negotiations with OUC and
GOAA in this regard. OUC has advised the Company that it may construct a rail
terminal and platform on its main line near Boggy Creek Road (which is proximate
to the Orlando International Airport), and for the rights to use OUC tracks
leading to the proposed site. Further, the Company is negotiating with OUC for
rights to temporarily "store" the Florida Fun-Train on this property. Although
the Company is attempting to obtain funding for the northern terminal from state
and/or local governments, final terms regarding the construction of these
facilities have not been negotiated, and there can be no assurance that any such
negotiations will be successful.
The estimated travel time for the Florida Fun-Train between Central Florida
and South Florida is approximately four and one-half hours. To serve the general
domestic and international tourist market, the Company plans to offer daily
weekday service origination in South Florida in the morning and in Central
Florida in the afternoon. To serve the South Florida weekend cruise market (Port
Everglades and Port of Miami) the Company plans to offer special inbound and
outbound service for cruise passengers.
MARKETING
The initial one-way ticket price for the Florida Fun-Train is expected to be
in the range of $65-$75, and the per-passenger en route revenue (for food,
beverages, entertainment and souvenirs) is expected to be in the range of
$20-$25.
On July 23, 1996, the Company engaged Management Resource Group, Inc. to
conduct a market study for the Company for the purpose of providing
recommendations with respect to targeting market
23
segments most likely to use the Florida Fun-Train, traffic volume (including
seasonal fluctuations), schedules that would generate the highest volume of
ridership, fare structure, types of entertainment, and key product attributes
such as classes of service, language or other special requirements. The total
cost of this market study (including reimbursement for professional fees and
out-of-pocket expenses) will be approximately $172,000 and is expected to be
completed in late November 1996.
Over the next 12 months the Company plans to develop and implement its sales
and marketing efforts. The Company plans to hire approximately four employees
who will begin marketing the Company to the travel and tour industries. Among
other things these employees will market and sell tickets (passenger seats)
through wholesale travel and tour operators and retail travel agents. Wholesale
tour operators have historically represented a material source of business for
the travel industry in South and Central Florida, particularly in the cruise and
lodging businesses. While the Company cannot anticipate what percentage of its
future business will be with wholesale tour operators it is expected that
wholesalers will represent approximately one-half of its business.
In addition, marketing efforts which feature the Company's services are
presently planned through various channels such as trade shows and conferences,
as well as advertising in various tour industry publications as well as to the
general public. During this stage, the Company plans to sell Fun-Train tickets
through an internal reservation system which must be developed. The Company also
may negotiate computer time-sharing or other arrangements with third parties
which operate systems for or similar to those used by the travel and tour
industries. In addition, the Company intends to attempt to market its services
and sell tickets by means of joint arrangements with cruise lines, airlines and
hotels. General advertising on radio and television and in periodicals,
newspapers and other media, is also planned as an important component of the
Company's marketing program.
On October 30, 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with Universal
Studios Florida (a major Central Florida tourist attraction) for joint
advertising, promotion and publicity programs in order to form a "strategic
alliance" for on-going joint activities from November 4, 1996 to December 31,
1998.
FUN-TRAIN OPERATIONS
The Company is currently negotiating with Amtrak for the provision of
technical services by the latter in connection with the operation of the Florida
Fun-Train. These technical services may include the provision of train and
engine crews, maintenance of equipment, fuel and leasing of locomotives and a
baggage car. The Company expects to reach an agreement with Amtrak in this
regard in the near future. As part of these negotiations, the Company has
requested Amtrak's consent to the Company's use of the CSXT track, as required
by the CSXT Agreement.
MARKET
The Company's principal market is approximately 41 million persons who visit
Florida each year. The Company also intends to rely for passengers on the more
than 1.4 million residents of the Central Florida (principally the Greater
Orlando metropolitan area) and the more than 3.3 million residents of the South
Florida (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale) metropolitan area, as well as on the rest of the
more than 13.4 million residents of Florida. SOURCE: "1994 Florida Visitor
Study," Florida Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis,
Tallahassee, FL (1995).
From 1980 to 1995 the number of annual visitors to Florida increased by 105%,
from 20 million to 41.3 million. According to the Florida Department of
Transportation, approximately half of these visitors arrived without an
automobile. From 1980 to 1995, the resident population of Florida increased from
9.7 million to 14.4 million, a 49% increase. During that period, the population
of Central Florida increased by 75%, from 800,000 to 1.4 million, and the South
Florida population grew from 2.6 million to 3.5 million, a 35% increase. SOURCE:
Florida Department of Commerce, Division of Economic Development, Bureau of
Economic Analysis. According to the 1994 Florida Visitor Study, Florida's
24
population and tourist base are expected to continue to grow significantly
during the next decade; however, the rates of growth are expected to slow
somewhat.
During the 1990's, the growth in portions of Florida's tourism industry
slowed, with some areas and attractions experiencing declines. The recent
slowdown has been attributed, in part, to highly-publicized criminal attacks on
tourists, and increasing competition from other tourist destinations in the U.S.
and the Caribbean region as well as economic problems in some of Florida's
overseas tourism markets.
VISITORS BY SOUTHEAST AND CENTRAL FLORIDA REGIONS (1989-94)(1)(4)
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Southeast(2) ... 11,788,156 12,839,327 13,386,130 13,560,302 13,419,865 13,321,071
Central(2) ...... 11,614,149 11,504,725 10,554,752 10,965,330 10,713,397 9,891,095
State
Estimate(3) ..... 38,712,303 40,970,233 39,560,874 40,536,194 41,032,560 39,883,447
<FN>
- --------------------
(1) Southeast region includes: Dade (including Miami), Broward (including Ft.
Lauderdale), Palm Beach, Monroe and three less populated counties.
Central region includes: Orange (including Orlando) and eight less
populated counties.
(2) These figures count survey respondents who visited both regions, in which
case they were included in both figures for the applicable year.
(3) The State estimate is not based on total of regional numbers for reasons
set forth in Note 2, above.
(4) Source: 1994 Florida Visitor Study.
</FN>
The Company's planned operations may be materially adversely affected by
declining growth or an absolute decline in the number of tourists visiting
Florida; however, the Company believes that, by offering a unique and safe
tourist attraction and service, it can attract the passenger base needed for
profitability, notwithstanding possible adverse trends in the growth of the
Florida tourist market as a whole.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, in 1994 approximately
14 million persons traveled between Central and South Florida. Of these trips,
55% were for tourism/recreation, 24% were for family/personal reasons, and 21%
were for business.
Given the status of both Central Florida and South Florida as major tourist
destinations, as well as the size of the underlying metropolitan areas, the
Company sees great potential in the market for transportation between the two
areas. The Company plans to target the tourists and residents already traveling
between the two destinations, but it also plans to stimulate, through a
marketing effort, travel between the areas to be serviced by the Florida
Fun-Train and Space Coast Fun-Train by persons who otherwise would not have made
the trip. By providing a convenient, entertaining and reasonably priced service
between South Florida and Central Florida, the Company's Fun-Train will be
marketed as an inducement to South Florida visitors and residents to travel to
Central Florida, and vice versa. Given the huge size of the potential market,
the Company believes that it needs to capture only a small portion in order to
be successful.
CENTRAL FLORIDA
According to the 1995 Department of Commerce Study, the greater Orlando area
was the fastest growing metropolitan statistical area in Florida in the early
1990's. The greater Orlando area added nearly 172,000 residents between 1990 and
1995 for an estimated population of 1.4 million. The Orlando area's rate of
growth during this period was 2.5 times the United States average.
Approximately 22.5 million passengers enplaned and deplaned at the Orlando
International Airport in 1994, up from approximately 22.4 million in 1993 and
21.5 million in 1992. Of these passengers, approximately 11% were international
visitors, primarily from Europe, Canada and, to a lesser extent, Latin America.
25
Central Florida is filled with a plethora of attractions including Walt
Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Disney-MGM Studios, Universal
Studios (Florida), Sea World of Florida, as well as Church Street Station,
Seminole Greyhound Park (Turf Club) and Splendid China.
Walt Disney World (and its related attractions) is a dominant component of
the Central Florida economy and has been historically (since 1971) the single
most important generator of airline traffic at the Orlando International
Airport. The international character of Disney's EPCOT Center has had a
particularly important influence on the number of international visitors using
that airport. In recent years, the relative influence of the Disney attractions
has lessened with the significant development of other major tourist attractions
and convention facilities; however, the magnitude of Disney's importance to
Florida tourism is demonstrated by the fact that Walt Disney World's 1995
attendance total of approximately 35.3 million was over four times the total at
Central Florida's next most popular attraction (Universal Studios).
One of the fastest growing components of the Central Florida economy is the
convention industry. Orlando is one of the largest convention markets (in terms
of number of delegates) in the United States. Reasons cited for the increasing
popularity of Orlando as a location for conventions and conferences include the
continuing development of area attractions, the addition of hotel rooms, and the
increased availability of transportation.
SOUTH FLORIDA
The Miami/Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area contains approximately 3.3
million residents and is also a major tourist destination, with numerous
attractions, two major cruise ports, four major-league professional sports teams
and miles of beaches. The area attracts millions of domestic and international
visitors each year, who come for tourism, shopping, business and family visits.
Miami is the financial and trade capital of Latin America, and Miami Beach,
famous for its night life, is internationally known as a center for the fashion,
music and movie industries. Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Miami Beach are also
major convention destinations. Miami International Airport is the primary travel
connection linking the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. Served by
approximately 135 airlines, more than any other airport in the world, Miami
International Airport logs approximately 1,400 daily departures and arrivals. In
1995, over 33.5 million (14.5 million international) passengers flew to or from
Miami.
South Florida has expanded from its traditional role as a wintertime
destination for North Americans to become a year-round destination for domestic
and international visitors. South Americans now comprise 35% of annual
international visitors, European visitors make up 27% of the annual total,
visitors from Central America and the Caribbean account for 23%, and North
Americans account for 15%.
The Port of Miami is the home port to a world-leading fleet of 17 luxury
cruise ships, including five of the world's largest passenger ships, which are
expressly outfitted for pleasure cruise vacations. The Port of Miami handles
approximately 3.2 million passengers per year from its 12 passenger
terminals--more than any other cruise port.
Port Everglades, located approximately 30 miles north of Miami in Fort
Lauderdale, received in excess of 2.3 million cruise passengers during 1995.
There are 32 cruise ships based at Port Everglades, with four cruise terminals
just a short walk from the Broward County Convention Center.
The Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport is another major
transportation destination for tourists going to South Florida. In 1995, the
airport handled approximately 8.6 million domestic passengers and 1.2 million
international passengers. There are approximately 35 major airlines serving the
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport with 362 daily arrivals and
departures. The airport is located just one and one-half miles from Port
Everglades and the Broward County Convention Center.
26
FUTURE ENTERTAINMENT TRAINS
After the introduction of the Florida Fun-Train, and assuming the Company has
sufficient capital available, it expects to provide "Fun-Train" passenger
service between South Florida and the Florida Space Coast (near the Kennedy
Space Center). The Space Coast Fun-Train is expected to provide daily round-trip
service at a fixed price which will include a full tour of the Kennedy Space
Center. The Kennedy Space Center is one of Florida's most popular tourist
attractions, receiving over 2.1 million visitors in 1994 and is especially
popular with international tourists. The Company expects to market the Space
Coast Fun-Train as a convenient and entertaining travel opportunity to see the
Kennedy Space Center. The Space Coast Fun-Train will operate over existing
tracks owned and operated by FEC.
On February 28, 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with FEC for the
use of certain track rights in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm
Beach-Titusville corridor. The ten-year term of the FEC agreement starts when
the Space Coast Fun-Train is operational and the agreement provides for a
standard, per-car mileage charge of $1.20 per car-mile (which is equivalent to
$18 per train-mile based on the minimum FEC 15-car train requirement), payable
monthly, with a minimum guaranteed annual amount of $500,000 per route to be
paid by the Company to FEC. When the Space Coast Fun-Train is operable, the
minimum payment will be $500,000 per annum. The Company will operate the Space
Coast Fun-Train with locomotives it provides subject to dispatching (and related
controls) by FEC. The agreement provides for limited exclusivity to the Company
to operate "Fun-Train" type train services and/or services to cruise lines over
the prescribed route, with certain exceptions. Further, the Company is obliged
to indemnify FEC for claims under actions arising from the operation of the
Space Coast Fun-Train, and the Company is obliged to obtain a minimum of $200
million in comprehensive general liability insurance coverage in favor of FEC,
with a minimum deductible.
The Company is actively pursuing its strategy of acquiring a tourist
destination train ("scenic railroad"). The Company has had contact with
representatives of The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Company
("D&SNG") regarding the acquisition of D&SNG by the Company. On November 4,
1996, the Company executed a non-binding letter of intent for the acquisition of
all of the capital stock of D&SNG for $20 million (which includes cash,
assumption of indebtedness and purchase money financing), 200,000 shares of
common stock, and common stock purchase warrants covering 600,000 shares. This
letter of intent contains an "exclusivity" clause which prohibits for a period
of time, D&SNG from negotiating the sale of that company to any other third
party. The parties have commenced "due diligence" under the terms of the letter
of intent. The consummation of this proposed acquisition is subject to, among
other things, (i) the execution of a definitive purchase and sale agreement
between the parties, (ii) the satisfactory conclusion of the "due diligence"
review, and (iii) the Company obtaining sufficient funds to pay the purchase
price. There are significant events including the execution of a binding
contract, satisfactory completion of due diligence, and financing, which must
occur before any such acquisition could be consummated. At the present time, it
is not probable that this acquisition will occur. If the acquisition is
consummated, it will materially affect the operations of the Company; however,
there can be no assurance that the acquisition will occur on the proposed terms
or at all.
D&SNG operates an antique, narrow gauge tourist railroad along a 45-mile
route between Durango and Silverton, Colorado along the Animas River. D&SNG
provides a scenic railroad excursion which is unique within the industry, and it
has been operated as a tourist railroad since 1968.
The railroad was built between 1880 and 1882 by the Denver & Rio Grande
Railway Company to service the mining regions of the San Juan Mountains. The
steam operated locomotives were manufactured by the American Locomotive Works
and Baldwin Locomotive Works between 1923 and 1925. The coaches, many of which
are original, are of 1880 vintage. The railroad is a registered National
Historic Landmark and has exclusive rights for passage through the San Juan
National Forest.
D&SNG's operations are seasonal with peak months in June, July and August,
and with four daily trains except during the winter. The 90-mile round trip
takes nine hours including a two-hour layover in
27
Silverton. From November through April, one train is operated daily from
Durango to Cascade Canyon (a 52-mile round trip lasting five hours). D&SNG
logs more passenger miles annually than any other railroad in the country
with the exception of Amtrak and various commuter lines.
EMPLOYEES
The Company currently employs ten persons, eight of whom are management and
two of whom are staff members. Over the next 12 months, the Company expects to
hire approximately 75 persons. See "Plan of Operation." The Company also intends
to rely extensively on independent contractors and the outsourcing of certain
functions, e.g. marketing and rail operations.
Traditionally, railroad operating crews have been unionized, and the Company
may have no alternative but to use a unionized crew. Further, while unionization
among railroad passenger service workers is less prevalent then among crew
members, there can be no assurance that the Company will not have to use
unionized personnel in passenger service positions as well. While the Company
does not anticipate material labor relations problems and believes that it can
reach mutually beneficial collective bargaining agreements with any unionized
employees, there can be no assurance that these problems will be avoided. The
Company is considering outsourcing its rail operations.
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION
The Company's operations will be subject to safety regulation by the Federal
Railroad Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation applying
federal safety standards, as well as environmental regulation by federal and
state agencies. The primary responsibility for safety at crossings will lie with
the track owners. The Company also will be subject to liquor license, as well as
health and other regulations promulgated by state and local authorities. The
Company does not anticipate any material regulatory problems; however, there can
be no assurance that they will not develop.
The Company's proposed intrastate railroad operations will be subject to
various federal and state environmental laws and regulations. The Company
believes that its proposed operations will be in material compliance with all
such laws and regulations, and the Company estimates that such compliance will
not have any material effect on the its profitability or capital expenditures.
Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that current environmental regulatory
requirements will not change and that any such change may have a material effect
on the Company's operations.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
The Company leases approximately 1,025 square feet of temporary space in a
facility located at 2445 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Florida 33020, for its
executive offices, pursuant to a week-to-week lease at a monthly rental rate of
$4,450 (which includes various office amenities, e.g., secretarial service,
conference room, photocopying services, etc.). The existing lease is short-term;
the Company intends to lease permanent office space by the first quarter of
1997.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is not party to any pending legal proceedings or arbitration
proceedings, and to the best of its knowledge and belief, none is contemplated
or threatened.
28
MANAGEMENT
The directors of the Company are as follows:
NAME AGE POSITION(S)
- ---- --- -----------
Allen C. Harper(1)..... 51 Chairman of the Board of Directors
Eugene K. Garfield .... 60 Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
Raymond Monteleone..... 48 Director
Thomas G. Rader(2)..... 50 Director
David H. Rush(1)(2).... 75 Director
Luigi Salvaneschi(1)... 65 Director
Glenn P. Michael....... 52 Director
<FN>
- -------------
(1) Member of the Compensation Committee, the Chairman of which is Mr. Rush.
(2) Member of the Audit Committee, the Chairman of which is Mr. Rader.
</FN>
The executive officers of the Company are as follows:
NAME AGE POSITION(S)
- ---- --- -----------
Allen C. Harper........ 51 Chief Executive Officer
Raymond Monteleone..... 48 President and Chief Operating Officer
William T. Nanovsky.... 48 Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer
Don P. Cumming......... 35 Vice President, Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer
Thomas E. Blayney...... 56 Vice President of Operations
Pamela S. Petcash...... 34 Vice President, Customer Care and
Entertainment
MR. HARPER, has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since the Merger (April 1996), and prior to
that he served in similar capacities with First American-Florida since its
incorporation (February 1994). He has over 30 years of business experience,
principally in the areas of real estate management and development and rail
transportation. Since 1984, he has been principally employed as the Chairman,
President and principal shareholder of First Reserve, Inc., the holding company
for Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc., a residential and commercial real estate
brokerage and management firm based in Coral Gables, FL. Since September 1989,
Mr. Harper has been a director, and from October 1992 to October 1993, and from
July 1995 to June 1996, he served as Chairman of the Board of the Tri-County
Rail Authority. Since May 1994, he has served as a Director of Florida East
Coast Railway Co. (a railroad company based in St. Augustine, FL) and Vacation
Break U.S.A., Inc. (a travel and time-share corporation based in Fort
Lauderdale, FL).
MR. GARFIELD, has been the Vice Chairman of the Board since June 1996. From
the Merger (April 1996) to June 1996 he served as the President of the Company,
and prior to that he served in a similar capacity with First American-Florida
since its incorporation. Mr. Garfield has served as a director of the Company
since the Merger and prior to that was a director of First American-Florida
since its incorporation. During the last five years, he has held several
positions, including: professor of Business Law at Miami-Dade Community College
(Miami, FL - 1990-1992), during which period he also served as a director of the
Entrepreneur-in-Residence-Program for the School of Business and
Entrepreneurship of Nova University (Fort Lauderdale, FL). Thereafter, Mr.
Garfield served as an advisor to the Florida Department of Transportation
(Office of the Governor) on the development of a high-speed rail system for the
State of Florida from January 1992 to April 1994. Since April 1993, he has
29
been Chairman of the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at
Barry University's Andreas School of Business (Miami Shores, FL), and since
October 1993, he has been a member of the Dade County Select Committee. Mr.
Garfield was appointed by former President Gerald R. Ford to serve on the
National Highway Safety Commission from 1977 to 1981. In 1969, he was the
founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Auto-Train Corporation,
which operates the only passenger railroad of its kind in the United States,
carrying passengers and their automobiles on the same train. Mr. Garfield was
Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 1967 to 1968, and liaison
assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1968 to 1969. In December 1995,
Mr. Garfield was appointed to the Metropolitan Orlando International Affairs
Commission (MOIAC) by the Mayor of Orlando. Mr. Garfield serves on the
International Transportation Committee of the MOIAC.
MR. MONTELEONE, became President, Chief Operating Officer, and a Director of
the Company in July 1996. Most recently (1988-1996) Mr. Monteleone served as the
Vice President of Corporate Development, Planning, Administration, and Acting
Chief Financial Officer of Sensormatic Electronics Corporation (an electronics
security company). In addition, from May 1988 until January 1995 he served as a
consultant to and Board member of various businesses . From 1973 until May 1988,
he was a staff accountant and later a partner, and then the Director of Taxes
(three South Florida offices) of Arthur Young & Company, an international
accounting firm. Mr. Monteleone is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in
Florida, as well as other states. He graduated cum laude from the New York
Institute of Technology in 1969, and received his Masters in Business
Administration from Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL) in 1992. He
serves on the Boards of Directors of Loren Industries, Inc. (a jewelry casting
company), Pointe Financial Corporation (a federal savings and commercial bank
holding company) and Rexall Sundown, Inc. (a pharmaceutical company). Mr.
Monteleone has also served on the Boards of Directors of numerous civic,
industrial, and professional associations, and he has received numerous
governmental appointments.
MR. RADER, has been a Director of the Company since the Merger, and prior to
that he served in a similar capacity with First American-Florida since its
incorporation. Since 1982, Mr. Rader has been the President and sole shareholder
of Rader Railcar, Inc., Denver, CO, which designs, builds and operates unique
rail cars. He has more than 20 years' experience in both the tourism and
railroad industries. From 1970 to 1975, he served as Vice President and director
with Sheraton Hawaii (a subsidiary of ITT-Sheraton Corporation) and from 1978 to
1982, he served as Vice President and General Manager of Holland America (a
division of Holland America Line, Inc.). In 1982, he founded Tour Alaska, a
privately-held Alaskan tour company which offered the first private railcar tour
through Alaska.
MR. RUSH, has been a Director of the Company since the Merger, and prior to
that he served in a similar capacity with First American-Florida since June
1994. He has extensive experience in the private and public sectors, principally
in the areas of high tech industry, economic development and rail
transportation. Mr. Rush has served as a member and chairman of the Florida High
Speed Rail Commission, and he is also a member of the Tri-County Commuter Rail
Authority. Mr. Rush was former chairman of the National High Tech Council and is
a past member of the Defense Conversion and Transition Commission. Mr. Rush was
the President and Chief Executive Officer of Aptek Technologies, Inc., Deerfield
Beach, FL, from 1982 to April 1995, and has been President of Rush Holdings,
Inc., in Deerfield Beach since 1958. He is also President of RTX Telecom and
Electro Data Corp. since 1982.
MR. SALVANESCHI, has been a Director of the Company since the Merger, and
prior to that he served in a similar capacity with First American-Florida since
June 1994. His career has been in "mass-marketing service" businesses which are
oriented toward consumers' discretionary dollars. In 1969, he became Vice
President/Real Estate Administration of McDonald's Corporation, and in that
position, he was instrumental in setting national standards and policies for
market development and store locations. In 1971, he was made an advisory member
of McDonald's Board of Directors. From 1983 to 1987, Mr. Salvaneschi was
employed by Kentucky Fried Chicken as senior Vice President. In January 1988, he
joined Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation as Executive Vice President of
Development, and in June 1988 he became President, Chief Operating Officer and a
Director of Blockbuster. He retired from Blockbuster in February 1991.
30
MR. MICHAEL has been a Director of the Company since September 1996. He has
had extensive experience in the railroad and transportation industries since
1982. In 1996 he became President and Chief Executive Officer of Novoeste
Railways, Brazil's first privatized railroad. In 1995, Mr. Michael formed G.P.M.
Associates, a railroad consulting company. Also during 1995, he served as the
railways consultant specialist for the Bosnia and Hezergovina World Bank
Mission. Mr. Michael was the Vice President of Operations of Southern Pacific
Rail Corporation (Denver, CO) from 1992 to 1994. Prior to that, he served as
Vice President/Chief Transportation Officer for CSXT Corporation from 1986 to
1992. Mr. Michael served as Vice President Labor Relations of Chessie System, a
rail transportation company in Baltimore, Maryland, from 1982 to 1986. Mr
Michael has served on the Board of Directors of several rail companies.
MR. NANOVSKY, became Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of
the Company in August 1996, and Secretary in October 1996. More recently
(1993-1995), Mr. Nanovsky served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary of GameTek, Inc. (an interactive enterainment software company). Since
his resignation from GameTek, he has been a consultant within the interactive
software industry focusing on mergers and acquisitions; planning equity
offerings; and restructuring debt facilities. From 1991 to 1993, he served as
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Marietta
Corporation (a unit-of-use packaged goods company). From 1986 to 1991, Mr.
Nanovsky was a member of the Board of Directors, Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary of Seneca Foods Corporation (an international
consumer goods company).
MR. CUMMING, became Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
of the Company in August 1996. Mr. Cumming served as Division Controller of
Export Sales and Corporate Finance Manager for Sensormatic Electronics
Corporation (an electronic security corporation) from 1992 to 1996. Prior to
that he served as Staff Auditor--Senior Manager for Ernst & Young (an
international accounting firm) from 1982 to 1992.
MR. BLAYNEY, became Vice President of Operations in August 1996. From 1989 to
1995 Mr. Blayney served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of
Southland Greyhound Park (a parimutuel attraction in Arkansas).
MISS PETCASH, Vice President, Customer Care and Entertainment, commenced her
employment with the Company in September 1996. Miss Petcash was Cruise Director
and Senior Officer for Princess Cruises from 1995 to 1996, and Entertainment and
Cruise Director for Gold Star Cruises, LLP from 1994 to 1995. Miss Petcash was
affiliated with Kloster Cruises beginning in 1982 through 1994 working with
Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Viking Line. She held the position of Cruise
Director between 1989 and 1994 onboard various ships operated by Kloster
Cruises.
* * * *
Directors are elected at the Company's annual meeting of shareholders and
serve for one year or until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers
are elected by the Board of Directors and their terms of office are at the
discretion of the Board, subject to the Company's obligation to pay any
compensation required under applicable employment agreements. All of the
Company's executive officers except Mr. Harper are full-time employees of the
Company. There are no family relationships among any of the officers or
directors of the Company.
The Company has agreed to use its best efforts to cause a designee of Capital
Growth (the Company's financial advisor) to be elected to the Company's Board of
Directors, for the three-year period commencing on April 26, 1996. In the event
that Capital Growth does not designate such director, or if the Capital Growth's
designee shall not be elected, or is unavailable to serve if elected, an
individual selected by Capital Growth shall be permitted to attend all meetings
of the Board of Directors. To date no designee has been named by Capital Growth
to serve on the Company's Board of Directors. As part of the CSXT Agreement, the
Company has tentatively agreed to elect a designee of CSXT to the Company's
Board of Directors.
31
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Pursuant to the Company's Bylaws, the Company is obligated to indemnify each
of its officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law with
respect to all liability and loss suffered, and reasonable expense incurred, by
such person in any action, suit or proceeding in which such person was or is
made or threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved by reason of the
fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company. The
Company is also obligated to pay the reasonable expenses of indemnified
directors or officers in defending such proceedings if the indemnified party
agrees to repay all amounts advanced should it be ultimately determined that
such person is not entitled to indemnification.
The Company has procured and maintains a policy of insurance under which the
directors and officers of the Company are insured, subject to the limits of the
policy, against certain losses arising from claims made against such directors
and officers, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that, in
the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
In February 1994, the Company and Messrs. Harper and Garfield, respectively,
entered into employment agreements. These agreements are for a three-year term
(expiring February 1997) and provide for the base salaries of $125,000 and
$100,000, respectively, (along with cost-of-living adjustments based on the
appropriate consumer price index). In addition, the agreements provide for
health care insurance and other standard employment benefits. These agreements
also contain customary non-competition provisions prohibiting competition with
the Company during the term of employment and for two years thereafter. The
agreement with Mr. Garfield requires his full-time efforts on behalf of the
Company; however, the agreement with Mr. Harper requires that he devote at least
30 hours per week to Company business. While the Company believes that the
extent of Mr. Harper's efforts will be sufficient, there is no assurance that an
additional time commitment will not prove necessary or that additional
management personnel will not be needed as a result of Mr. Harper's limited
availability.
Effective June 1, 1996, Mr. Garfield's salary was increased to $125,000 per
annum and he became Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors; in addition, Mr.
Garfield was reimbursed $13,000 by the Company for the use of office space for
the previous twenty-four months, and he was awarded a one-time bonus of $25,000.
Also effective that date the Company agreed to reimburse a corporate affiliate
of Mr. Harper in the amount of $5,700 per month for costs associated with
maintaining an office (e.g. secretarial, telephone and related expenses) as well
as health insurance and automobile expenses.
The Company has also entered into an employment agreement with Mr.
Monteleone. Mr. Monteleone has been employed by the Company to be its President
and Chief Operating Officer, pursuant to an employment agreement dated July 1,
1996, the initial term of which is three years with automatic one-year renewals
(cancelable by either party) thereafter. The agreement provides for an initial
base salary of $150,000 per annum and a minimum bonus of $12,500 on January 1,
1997. There will be a minimum increase in his base salary to $175,000 on January
1, 1997, $189,000 on January 1, 1998, and $204,120 on January 1, 1999. In
addition, he will receive an annual bonus of at least $25,000 on January 1,
1998, January 1, 1999 and June 1, 1999. The agreement also provides for standard
life and health care insurance benefits, which begin in January 1997, along with
other standard employment benefits. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Monteleone
received a stock grant of 10,800 shares, effective July 1, 1996, and he will be
granted a minimum of 30,000 non-qualified stock options annually during the
three-year employment term and any subsequent renewal term; the first of these
30,000-share options was granted on July 1, 1996. Mr. Monteleone will receive a
$500 per month car allowance, plus
32
an automobile mileage reimbursement for business travel of $.20 per mile.
During the initial three-year term the Company has agreed to fund an
individual retirement plan on behalf of Mr. Monteleone in the aggregate of
$35,000.
The agreement with Mr. Monteleone provides that he may receive, in certain
circumstances, a severance package consisting of twice his current base salary
and all of the stock options which were to be granted to him during the
remaining term of his employment will become fully granted and vested. This
severance package shall be payable upon the termination of the agreement and the
occurrence of any of the following events, (i) "change in control" of the
Company (where more than 50% of the Company's stock is sold to a third party),
(ii) should someone other than Mr. Monteleone or Mr. Harper (the current Chief
Executive Officer) be the Company's Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) should
there be a substantial reduction in Mr. Monteleone's duties under the agreement.
The agreement also contains a non-competition provision which prohibits Mr.
Monteleone from competing with the Company for two years following the
termination of the agreement.
Mr. Nanovsky serves as Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to an August 1996 employment agreement
with the Company. The initial term of this agreement is one year with two,
one-year renewals (cancelable by either party) thereafter. The agreement
provides for initial base compensation of $115,000 per annum and a bonus of up
to 30% of his base compensation. In January 1997, he will receive base
compensation of $120,000 per annum; in addition, Mr. Nanovsky is to receive a
bonus up to 30% of his base compensation subject to the attainment of certain
pre-determined goals. Thereafter and commencing on January 1, 1998, further base
compensation, bonus amounts and stock option awards shall be as determined by
the Company. The employment agreement provides for health care insurance
benefits commencing in January 1997 (until that time he will receive a monthly
allowance of $300), along with participation in pension and/or profit sharing
plans, should such plans be instituted by the Company, as well as other standard
benefits. Beginning in January 1997, he will receive an automobile allowance of
$400 per month. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Nanovsky was granted
non-qualified stock options covering 18,000 shares which vest annually in three
equal increments; in addition he will be granted an 18,000-share stock-options
exercisable at the then current market price on the first two anniversary dates
of his employment (unless his employment has not been renewed). Pursuant to the
agreement, Mr. Nanovsky may receive, in certain circumstances following a
"change in control" of the Company, a severance package consisting of one year's
worth of his then current annualized compensation (base salary plus applicable
bonus, if any) along with acceleration of the vesting of the above-described
stock options.
Mr. Cumming serves as Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
of the Company pursuant to an August 1996 employment agreement with the Company.
The initial term of this agreement is one year with two, one-year extensions
which will automatically renew unless previously cancelled by either party. The
agreement provides for an initial base compensation of $85,000 per annum; in
addition, Mr. Cumming is to receive a bonus of not less than 10% and up to 25%
of his base compensation subject to the attainment of certain pre-determined
goals. His 1997 base compensation will be $90,000 and his bonus range will be
the same as that for 1996. For 1998, such compensation and bonus is to be
determined by the Company. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Cumming was granted
non-qualified stock options covering 13,000 shares, 6,333 of which vest
immediately and the balance will vest annually in two equal increments. The
employment agreement provides for health care insurance benefits commencing in
January 1997 (until that time he will receive a monthly allowance of $397), and
participation in pension and profit sharing plans, should such plans be
instituted by the Company, as well as other standard benefits. Beginning in
January 1997, he will receive an automobile allowance of $300 per month.
Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Cumming may receive, in certain circumstances
following a "change in control" of the Company, a severance package consisting
of one year's worth of his then current annualized compensation (base salary
plus applicable bonus, if any) along with the acceleration of the vesting of the
above-described stock option.
Mr. Blayney serves as Vice President of Operations of the Company pursuant to
a August 1996 employment agreement with the Company. The initial term of this
agreement is one year with two, one-year extensions which will automatically
renew unless previously cancelled by either party. The
33
agreement provides for an initial base compensation of $85,000 per annum; in
addition, Mr. Blayney is to receive a bonus of not less than 10% and up to 25%
of his base compensation subject to the attainment of certain pre-determined
goals. His 1997 base compensation and bonus range will be the same as that for
1996. For 1998, such compensation and bonus is to be determined by the Company.
Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Blayney was granted non-qualified stock options
covering 10,000 shares which vest annually in three equal increments. The
employment agreement provides for health care insurance benefits commencing in
January 1997 (until that time he will receive a monthly allowance of $300),
along with participation in pension and/or profit sharing, should such plans be
instituted by the Company, as well as other standard benefits. Beginning on
August 21, 1996, he will receive an automobile allowance of $300 per month.
Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Blayney may receive, in certain circumstances
following a "change in control" of the Company, a severance package consisting
of one year's worth of his then current annualized compensation (base salary
plus applicable bonus, if any) along with the acceleration of the vesting of the
above-described stock option.
Miss Petcash serves as Vice President, Customer Care and Entertainment of the
Company pursuant to a September 1996 employment agreement with the Company. The
initial term of this agreement is one year with two, one-year extensions which
will automatically renew unless previously cancelled by either party. The
agreement provides for an initial base compensation of $100,000 per annum; in
addition, Miss Petcash is to receive a bonus of up to 25% of her base
compensation subject to the attainment of certain pre-determined goals. Her 1997
base compensation and bonus range will be the same as that for 1996. For 1998,
her compensation and bonus is to be determined by the Company. Pursuant to the
agreement, Miss Petcash was granted non-qualified stock options covering 10,000
shares which vest annually in three equal increments. The employment agreement
provides for health care insurance benefits commencing in January 1997 (until
that time she will receive a monthly allowance of $300), along with
participation in pension and/or profit sharing plans, should such plans be
instituted by the Company, as well as other standard benefits. Beginning in
January 1997, she will receive an automobile allowance of $300 per month.
Pursuant to the agreement, Miss Petcash may receive, in certain circumstances
following a "change in control" of the Company, a severance package consisting
of one year's worth of her then current annualized compensation (base salary
plus applicable bonus, if any) along with the acceleration of the vesting of the
above-described stock option.
BOARD COMPENSATION
Employee directors of the Company are not compensated for their services as
directors. In June 1996, the Company instituted a policy whereby each
"non-management" director would receive a $5,000 annual retainer along with a
per meeting stipend ($500 for "in person" and $300 for "telephonic" attendance).
In addition, the Company has agreed to award each "non-employee" director with a
one-time grant of stock options covering 15,000 shares (at the then current
market price), and thereafter each such non-employee director will receive an
annual stock option grant covering 3,000 shares, all of which options are to be
awarded under a stock option plan to be developed by the Company. To date this
stock option plan has not been prepared and, therefore, no such options have
been granted.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table provides information with respect to the compensation
paid by First American-Florida, the Company's predecessor by merger, to Allen C.
Harper, the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. There was no
executive officer whose salary exceeded $100,000 for any applicable period.
During the subject periods, First American-Florida paid no long-term
compensation to any person. The Company did not pay any form of compensation to
any officer or director during its last three full fiscal years.
34
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
-------------------------------------------------------------
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($)
- --------------------------- ---- --------- --------
Allen C. Harper Eight months ended December 31, 1995 38,461 --
Chairman and Chief Twelve months ended April 30, 1995 79,775 --
Executive Officer
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
COMMON STOCK:
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of October 30, 1996, and
as adjusted to reflect the sale of Shares offered by the Selling Shareholders
with respect to (i) each of the Company's executive officers and directors, (ii)
all officers and directors as a group, (iii) each person known to the Company to
be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Common Stock, eight of whom are
Selling Shareholders, and (iv) each of the Selling Shareholders. Unless
otherwise indicated, all shares of Common Stock are owned directly and of record
and the persons so indicated have voting and investment power with respect
thereto. With respect to the Selling Shareholders, it has been assumed that all
their shares so offered will be sold.
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BEFORE AND AFTER OFFERING(1)
----------------------------- SHARES
NAME POSITION WITH COMPANY SHARES PERCENT(2) OFFERED
- ---- --------------------- ------------- ------------ -------
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND
DIRECTORS:(3)
Thomas G. Rader Director 1,614,581 17.82 0
Allen C. Harper Chairman of the 1,379,032(4) 15.22 0
Board of Directors
and Chief Executive Officer
Eugene K. Garfield Vice Chairman 718,343 7.93 0
of the Board of Directors
Ray Monteleone President, Chief 20,800(5)(6) * 0
Operating Officer
and Director
Luigi Salvaneschi Director 85,654(7) * 0
David H. Rush Director 21,414 * 0
Glenn P. Michael Director 0 * 0
William T. Nanovsky Vice President, Secretary, 6,000(6) * 0
Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer
Don P. Cumming Vice President, Controller 6,333(6) * 0
and Chief Accounting Officer
Thomas E. Blayney Vice President of Operations 3,333(6) * 0
Pamela S. Petcash Vice President, Customer Care 3,333(6) * 0
and Entertainment
All Officers and Directors 3,858,823(3) 42.45 0
as a Group (11 persons)
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BEFORE OFFERING(1)
----------------------
SHARES
NAME SHARES(8) PERCENT(2) OFFERED(9)
- ---- --------- ----------- ----------
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS:
Auric Investments Limited
24 St. Georges Street, Douglas
Isle of Man IM1 1AH 823,274 8.84 823,274
35
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BEFORE OFFERING(1)
----------------------
SHARES
NAME SHARES(8) PERCENT(2) OFFERED(9)
- ---- --------- ----------- ----------
Lancer Partners L.P.
237 Park Ave., 8th Fl.
New York, NY 10017 814,286 8.51 900,000
Egger & Co.
c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank N.A.
P.O. Box 1508 Church Street Station
New York, NY 10008 797,928 8.36 880,934
EFO Fund, Ltd.
1111 W. Mockingbird Lane, #1400
Dallas, TX 75247 732,857 7.70 810,000
Rush & Co.
c/o Swiss American Securities, Inc.
100 Wall Street, 4th Fl.
New York, NY 10005 572,177 6.09 628,834
Fairnoon Management Ltd.
11 Queenstreet Mayfair
London W1X 7PD, England 570,000 6.06 630,000
Emanon Partners, L.P.
237 Park Avenue
Suite 901
New York, NY 10017 515,714 5.50 570,000
Rosebud Capital Growth Fund Ltd.
c/o Euro-Dutch Trust Co. (Bahamas)
Charlotte House, Charlotte St.
Nassau, Bahamas 512,747 5.48 563,267
Edgeport Nominees, Ltd. 401,888 4.32 439,625
Demachy Worms & Co. International, Ltd. 325,714 3.52 360,000
Alan L. Jacobs 299,426 3.27 299,426
Corner Bank, Ltd. 195,429 2.13 216,000
BFI Banque De Financement & D'Investissement, Geneve 162,857 1.78 180,000
Republic National Bank of New York (Suisse) SA 162,785 1.78 178,933
Faisal Finance (Switzerland) SA 155,286 1.70 169,000
Republic National Bank of New York (Luxemburg) SA 146,571 1.60 162,000
James F. Ellis Trust DTD 4/11/89 97,281 1.07 101,600
Stanley Hollander IRA Cowen & Co. Custion 58-03120 89,495 * 96,942
Cameo Trust Corporation Limited 81,429 * 90,000
The Gifford Fund Ltd. 81,429 * 90,000
Charles L. and Donna Greenberg, JTWROS 81,429 * 90,000
Napier Brown Holdings Ltd. 81,429 * 90,000
Veritas Films SA 81,429 * 90,000
Heptagon Investments Ltd. 81,356 * 88,933
Stolzoff Family Trust of 2/05/95, Martin S. Stolzoff
and Barbara R. Stolzoff, Trustees 68,123 * 74,468
Ronald Koenig 67,406 * 73,422
Phillip Bibicoff 65,143 * 72,000
Bostar A.S. 65,143 * 72,000
C.M. Investment Nominees Limited 65,143 * 72,000
David A. Rees 65,143 * 72,000
P.G. Ridgwell 65,071 * 70,933
Banque Privee Edmond De Rothschild S.A. 56,964 * 62,467
Vital Miljo AS 56,017 * 59,308
Bauer Family Limited Partnership 48,857 * 54,000
Falcon Management Ltd. 48,857 * 54,000
Fixtar Holdings, Inc. 48,857 * 54,000
Richard B. Liroff 48,857 * 54,000
Saracen International 48,857 * 54,000
Tradeco Limited 48,857 * 54,000
UOB Luxembourg S.A. 48,857 * 54,000
Gibesgelt 46,250 * 46,250
Euro Capital 45,000 * 45,000
Lawrence Burstein 40,695 * 44,485
Michael S. Jacobs 37,500 * 37,500
36
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BEFORE OFFERING(1)
----------------------
SHARES
NAME SHARES(8) PERCENT(2) OFFERED(9)
- ---- --------- ----------- ----------
Michael Schaenen 35,625 * 35,625
Christopher Fox 35,625 * 35,625
Brookbank Holdings, Ltd. 33,300 * 33,300
Gary Barnett, IRA Standard/Rollover 32,571 * 36,000
Harvey R. Brice BSSC Master Defined Contribution M/P Pension
Plan 32,571 * 36,000
Compass Investment Management Limited 32,571 * 36,000
Coutts & Co. S.A. 32,571 * 36,000
Barrie M. Damson 32,571 * 36,000
Ernest Dorner GST Non-Exempt Trust A U/T/A 5/26/94 32,571 * 36,000
Elmtree Corporation 32,571 * 36,000
Milton and Irene Geller 1985 Trust 32,571 * 36,000
Susan Greenberg 32,571 * 36,000
Alan D. Jacobson, IRA 32,571 * 36,000
Robert Katz 32,571 * 36,000
Peter Barrington Kirk 32,571 * 36,000
Lago Wernstedt 32,571 * 36,000
Morgan Steel Limited 32,571 * 36,000
John D. Murphy 32,571 * 36,000
Nicator S.A., Zurich 32,571 * 36,000
Pictet & Cie 32,571 * 36,000
Robinson Gear (Nominees) Limited A/CJ-10 32,571 * 36,000
Stoneman Investor Partnership 32,571 * 36,000
Terrier Finance, Inc. 32,571 * 36,000
Ghazi Allawi 32,499 * 34,933
Helix Investments, Ltd. 31,497 * 32,220
Dan Purjes 30,010 * 30,010
Kimberly A. Goguen 25,000 * 25,000
Christopher D. Jennings 24,409 * 26,485
Gary H. Stolzoff 22,768 * 25,003
Pyramid Partners, LP 21,714 * 24,000
Prime, Grieb & Co. Limited 19,286 * 21,000
Gerald Rosen 19,000 * 21,000
Sachem Corporate Finance Ltd. 16,875 * 16,875
Philip Altheim 16,286 * 18,000
Gary Barnett 16,286 * 18,000
Denis Baylin 16,286 * 18,000
I. Bibicoff, Inc., Pension Trust Fund 16,286 * 18,000
Boel AS 16,286 * 18,000
Credit Lyonnais (Suisse) SA Geneva 16,286 * 18,000
Credit Suisse Zurich 16,286 * 18,000
Owen H. Gassaway 16,286 * 18,000
David Greenberg, IRA 16,286 * 18,000
David Greenberg and Susan Greenberg,
Trustees FBO Greenberg and Panish,
a Prof. Corp. Def. Bene. Pension Plan 2/01/88 16,286 * 18,000
Haaco AS 16,286 * 18,000
David M. Hallman, Sr. 16,286 * 18,000
Hapoalim Mayo Casa Bancaria 16,286 * 18,000
Allan B. Hechtman, Inc., Pension Plan & Trust 16,286 * 18,000
Allan B. and Linda S. Hechtman, JTWROS 16,286 * 18,000
Trustees of the Hill Oldridge Ltd. Pension Fund 16,286 * 18,000
Nils Otto Holmen 16,286 * 18,000
P.B. Hubbard/J.D. Boden as Trustees of the Vector Trust 16,286 * 18,000
Svein Huse 16,286 * 18,000
Intergalactic Growth Fund, Inc. 16,286 * 18,000
Lenard E. Jacobson, MD, PC Profit Sharing Trust 16,286 * 18,000
Robert Jones 16,286 * 18,000
Mazin Kamouna 16,286 * 18,000
37
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BEFORE OFFERING(1)
----------------------
SHARES
NAME SHARES(8) PERCENT(2) OFFERED(9)
- ---- --------- ----------- ----------
William A. Kamke and Dorothy S. Kamke, JTWROS 16,286 * 18,000
A/S Kapitalutvikling 16,286 * 18,000
Ronald Korn, IRA 16,286 * 18,000
Pierre and Francoise Lambert 16,286 * 18,000
Metropolitan Finance Limited 16,286 * 18,000
John Bell Moran, Jr. 16,286 * 18,000
Anne P. Newman and Harry Newman, Jr. JTWROS 16,286 * 18,000
Scott Notowitz 16,286 * 18,000
Oistein Nyberg 16,286 * 18,000
RNB (France) Monaco 16,286 * 18,000
Rigel AS 16,286 * 18,000
Allan Rudnick, IRA 16,286 * 18,000
J.R.L. Smith 16,286 * 18,000
K.E. Smith 16,286 * 18,000
Ivor Spiro 16,286 * 18,000
Craig Taines 16,286 * 18,000
Taines Family Limited Partnership 16,286 * 18,000
Abraxas Partners, Ltd. 16,286 * 18,000
Michael Morris 16,247 * 16,971
Walter Prime 16,247 * 16,971
Peter R. McMullin 16,213 * 16,933
Rudnick Living Trust DTD 7/22/91 16,213 * 16,933
John VanOrdstrand 12,500 * 12,500
Joseph and Lillian Matulich JTWROS 9,375 * 9,375
Trafina Privatebank AG 9,375 * 9,375
Magne F. Aaby 8,143 * 9,000
Birger Dalen 8,143 * 9,000
John Heckler 8,143 * 9,000
Norman Leben 8,143 * 9,000
Svein A. Loken 8,143 * 9,000
Steven Millner 8,143 * 9,000
Asher Plaut and Evelyn Plaut, JTWROS 8,143 * 9,000
Svein-Erik Stiansen 8,143 * 9,000
Bank Julius Baer & Co. 8,107 * 8,467
Craig A. Blumberg 5,429 * 6,000
Steven H. Marvin 5,429 * 6,000
Daniel J. Marx 5,428 * 6,000
Peter Sheib 5,010 * 5,010
Lori Shepps 5,000 * 5,000
Lawrence Rice 4,990 * 4,990
Southeast Research Partners 4,500 * 4,500
Matthew Balk 3,880 * 3,880
John T. Clarke 3,750 * 3,750
Charles Roden 3,530 * 3,530
Nancy Tarlow Barrett 3,500 * 3,500
First National Fund 2,250 * 2,250
Giant Trading Company 1,500 * 1,500
Michael Loew 1,325 * 1,325
Cheviot Capital 750 * 750
Value Investing Partners 750 * 750
Joelle Jacobs 750 * 750
Scott A. Weisman 445 * 445
Brill Securities 375 * 375
Paul Fitzgerald 365 * 365
Sherwood P. Larkin 290 * 290
Richard Sichenzio 155 * 155
38
<FN>
- -------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each shareholder has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the Common Stock indicated as
beneficially owned thereby.
(2) In accordance with Rule 13d-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), shares that are not outstanding, but that
are issuable pursuant to (i) the exercise of outstanding Warrants and
(ii) the conversion of the Notes, all of which are exercisable or
convertible within 60 days of the date of this Prospectus, have been
deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of
outstanding shares owned by the individual having such right, but have
not been deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage
for any other person. These amounts do not include the exercise of
certain warrants to purchase an aggregate of 475,000 shares of Common
Stock. See "Description of Securities."
(3) Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each director is c/o First
American Railways, Inc., 2445 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Florida
33020.
(4) Includes 1,379,032 shares which are jointly-owned with his wife, and
1,285 shares which are owned of record by Harper Partners of Miami, Ltd.,
a Florida limited partnership, for which his wife, Carol E. Harper,
serves as trustee.
(5) Includes 10,800 shares owned of record by Mr. Monteleone.
(6) Includes 10,000 shares, 6,000 shares, 6,333 shares, 3,333 shares and
3,333 shares which are issuable to Messrs. Monteleone, Nanovsky,
Cumming, Blayney and Miss Petcash, respectively, upon the exercise of
currently exercisable stock options.
(7) Mr. Salvaneschi serves as the Trustee for a trust under an agreement
dated October 19, 1993, in which name these shares are held, and for
which Mr. Salvaneschi has sole voting and depositive power.
(8) These share amounts include up to an aggregate of 3,300,273 shares which
may be issued either upon the conversion of the Notes or upon the
exercise of the Series A Warrants which may be issued, in certain
circumstances, upon the prepayment of the Notes.
(9) With respect to the Selling Shareholders, it has been assumed that all
their Shares so offered will be sold. Further, these amounts include
shares which may be issued to certain Selling Shareholders upon
conversion of accrued interest payable upon their Notes.
</FN>
SERIES A WARRANTS:
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of the Company's outstanding Series A Warrants as of August
1, 1996, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of such Warrants offered by the
holders thereof, none of whom hold any position with the Company and six of whom
own more than 5% thereof.
BEFORE OFFERING
--------------------- WARRANTS
NAME WARRANTS PERCENT OFFERED
- ---- ---------- ---------- --------
Lancer Partner L.P.
237 Park Ave., 8th Fl.
New York, NY 10017 300,000 7.57 300,000
Egger & Co.
c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank N.A.
P.O. Box 1508 Church Street Station
New York, NY 10008 290,519 7.33 290,519
EFO Fund, Ltd.
1111 W. Mockingbird Lane, #1400
Dallas, TX 75247 270,000 6.81 270,000
Auric Investments Limited
24 St. Georges Street, Douglas
Isle of Man IM1 1AH 260,774 6.58 260,774
39
BEFORE OFFERING
--------------------- WARRANTS
NAME WARRANTS PERCENT OFFERED
- ---- ---------- ---------- --------
Fairnoon Management Ltd.
11 Queenstreet Mayfair
London W1X 7PD, England 210,000 5.30 210,000
Rush & Co.
c/o Swiss American Securities, Inc.
100 Wall Street, 4th Fl.
New York, NY 10005 208,799 5.27 208,799
Emanon Partners, L.P. 190,000 4.79 190,000
Rosebud Capital Growth Fund Ltd. 176,818 4.46 176,818
Edgeport Nominees, Ltd. 147,333 3.72 147,333
Demachy Worms & Co. International, Ltd. 120,000 3.03 120,000
Alan L. Jacobs 86,926 2.19 86,926
Faisal Finance (Switzerland) SA 73,000 1.84 73,000
Corner Bank, Ltd. 72,000 1.82 72,000
BFI Banque De Financement & D'Investissement, Geneve 60,000 1.51 60,000
Republic National Bank of New York (Suisse) SA 56,519 1.43 56,519
Republic National Bank of New York (Luxemburg) SA 54,000 1.36 54,000
Gibesgelt 46,250 1.17 46,250
Eurocapital 45,000 1.14 45,000
Michael Schaenen 35,625 * 35,625
Christopher Fox 35,625 * 35,625
Bookbank Holdings, Ltd. 33,300 * 33,300
Cameo Trust Corporation Limited 30,000 * 30,000
The Gifford Fund Ltd. 30,000 * 30,000
Charles L. and Donna Greenberg, JTWROS 30,000 * 30,000
Napier Brown Holdings Ltd. 30,000 * 30,000
Veritas Films SA 30,000 * 30,000
Vital Miljo AS 26,894 * 26,894
Heptagon Investments Ltd. 26,519 * 26,519
Stanley Hollander IRA Cowen & Co. Custion 58-03120 26,064 * 26,064
Phillip Bibicoff 24,000 * 24,000
Bostar A.S. 24,000 * 24,000
C.M. Investment Nominees Limited 24,000 * 24,000
David A. Rees 24,000 * 24,000
Stolzoff Family Trust of 2/05/95, Martin S. Stolzoff and Barbara R.
Stolzoff, Trustees 23,023 * 23,023
Ronald Koenig 21,058 * 21,058
P.G. Ridgwell 20,519 * 20,519
Banque Privee Edmond De Rothschild S.A. 19,260 * 19,260
Bauer Family Limited Partnership 18,000 * 18,000
Falcon Management Ltd. 18,000 * 18,000
Fixtar Holdings, Inc. 18,000 * 18,000
Richard B. Liroff 18,000 * 18,000
Saracen International 18,000 * 18,000
Tradeco Limited 18,000 * 18,000
UOB Luxembourg S.A. 18,000 * 18,000
Helix Investments, Ltd. 17,782 * 17,782
James F. Ellis Trust DTD 4/11/89 15,117 * 15,117
Lawrence Burstein 13,266 * 13,266
John VanOrdstrand 12,500 * 12,500
Dean Witter Reynolds Custodian for Gary Barnett, IRA Standard/Rollover 12,000 * 12,000
Harvey R. Brice BSSC Master Defined Contribution M/P Pension Plan 12,000 * 12,000
40
BEFORE OFFERING
--------------------- WARRANTS
NAME WARRANTS PERCENT OFFERED
- ---- ---------- ---------- --------
Compass Investment Management Limited 12,000 * 12,000
Coutts & Co. S.A. 12,000 * 12,000
Barrie M. Damson 12,000 * 12,000
Ernest Dorner GST Non-Exempt Trust A U/T/A 5/26/94 12,000 * 12,000
Elmtree Corporation 12,000 * 12,000
Milton and Irene Geller 1985 Trust 12,000 * 12,000
Susan Greenberg 12,000 * 12,000
Jacobson, Alan D., IRA 12,000 * 12,000
Robert Katz 12,000 * 12,000
Peter Barrington Kirk 12,000 * 12,000
Lago Wernstedt 12,000 * 12,000
Morgan Steel Limited 12,000 * 12,000
John D. Murphy 12,000 * 12,000
Nicator S.A., Zurich 12,000 * 12,000
Pictet & Cie 12,000 * 12,000
Robinson Gear (Nominees) Limited A/CJ-10 12,000 * 12,000
Stoneman Investor Partnership 12,000 * 12,000
Terrier Finance, Inc. 12,000 * 12,000
Prime Grieb 9,000 * 9,000
Ghazi Allawi 8,519 * 8,519
Pyramid Partners, LP 8,000 * 8,000
Sachem Corporate Finance, Ltd. 7,500 * 7,500
Christopher D. Jennings 7,266 * 7,266
Gary H. Stolzoff 7,009 * 7,009
Gerald Rosen 7,000 * 7,000
Abraxas Partners, Ltd. 6,000 * 6,000
Philip Altheim 6,000 * 6,000
Gary Barnett 6,000 * 6,000
Denis Baylin 6,000 * 6,000
I. Bibicoff, Inc., Pension Trust Fund 6,000 * 6,000
Boel AS 6,000 * 6,000
Credit Lyonnais (Suisse) SA Geneva 6,000 * 6,000
Credit Suisse Zurich 6,000 * 6,000
Owen H. Gassaway Trustee, FBO Owen H. Gassaway Trust 6,000 * 6,000
David Greenberg, IRA 6,000 * 6,000
David Greenberg and Susan Greenberg, Trustees FBO Greenberg and Panish,
a Prof. Corp. Def. Bene. Pension Plan 2/01/88 6,000 * 6,000
Haaco AS 6,000 * 6,000
David M. Hallman, Sr. 6,000 * 6,000
Hapoalim Mayo Casa Bancaria 6,000 * 6,000
Allan B. Hechtman, Inc., Pension Plan & Trust 6,000 * 6,000
Allan B. and Linda S. Hechtman, JTWROS 6,000 * 6,000
Trustees of the Hill Oldridge Ltd. Pension Fund 6,000 * 6,000
Nils Otto Holmen 6,000 * 6,000
P.B. Hubbard/J.D. Boden as Trustees of the Vector Trust 6,000 * 6,000
Svein Huse 6,000 * 6,000
Intergalactic Growth Fund, Inc. 6,000 * 6,000
Lenard E. Jacobson, MD, PC Profit Sharing Trust 6,000 * 6,000
Robert Jones 6,000 * 6,000
Mazin Kamouna 6,000 * 6,000
41
BEFORE OFFERING
--------------------- WARRANTS
NAME WARRANTS PERCENT OFFERED
- ---- ---------- ---------- --------
William A. Kamke and Dorothy S. Kamke, JTWROS 6,000 * 6,000
A/S Kapitalutvikling 6,000 * 6,000
Ronald Korn, IRA 6,000 * 6,000
Pierre and Francoise Lambert 6,000 * 6,000
Metropolitan Finance Limited 6,000 * 6,000
John Bell Moran, Jr. 6,000 * 6,000
Anne P. Newman and Harry Newman, Jr. JTWROS 6,000 * 6,000
Scott Notowitz 6,000 * 6,000
Oistein Nyberg 6,000 * 6,000
Prime, Grieb & Co. Limited 6,000 * 6,000
RNB (France) Monaco 6,000 * 6,000
Rigel AS 6,000 * 6,000
Allan Rudnick, IRA 6,000 * 6,000
J.R.L. Smith 6,000 * 6,000
K.E. Smith 6,000 * 6,000
Ivor Spiro 6,000 * 6,000
Craig Taines 6,000 * 6,000
Taines Family Limited Partnership 6,000 * 6,000
Southeast Research Partners 4,500 * 4,500
John T. Clarke 3,750 * 3,750
Magne F. Aaby 3,000 * 3,000
Birger Dalen 3,000 * 3,000
John Heckler 3,000 * 3,000
Norman Leben 3,000 * 3,000
Svein A. Loken 3,000 * 3,000
Steven Millner 3,000 * 3,000
Asher Plaut and Evelyn Plaut, JTWROS 3,000 * 3,000
Svein-Erik Stiansen 3,000 * 3,000
First National Fund 2,250 * 2,250
Michael Morris 2,532 * 2,532
Walter Prime 2,532 * 2,532
Peter R. McMullin 2,519 * 2,519
Rudnick Living Trust DTD 7/22/91 2,519 * 2,519
Craig A. Blumberg 2,000 * 2,000
Steven H. Marvin 2,000 * 2,000
Daniel J. Marx 2,000 * 2,000
Giant Trading Company 1,500 * 1,500
Bank Julius Baer & Co. 1,260 * 1,260
Cheviot Capital 750 * 750
Value Investing Partners 750 * 750
Joelle Jacobs 750 * 750
Brill Securities 375 * 375
<FN>
- --------------
* Less than 1%
</FN>
42
FINANCIAL ADVISORY WARRANTS:
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of the Advisory Warrants as of August 1, 1996, and as
adjusted to reflect the sale of such Warrants offered by the holders thereof,
none of whom hold any position with the Company nor own more than 5% of such
warrants.
BEFORE OFFERING
--------------------- WARRANTS
NAME WARRANTS PERCENT OFFERED
- ---- ---------- ---------- --------
Dan Purjes 30,010 * 30,010
Alan Jacobs 25,000 * 25,000
Kimberly A. Goguen 25,000 * 25,000
Peter Sheib 5,010 * 5,010
Lawrence Rice 4,990 * 4,990
Mathew Balk 3,880 * 3,880
Charles Roden 3,530 * 3,530
Michael Loew 1,325 * 1,325
Scott A. Weisman 445 * 445
Paul Fitzgerald 365 * 365
Sherwood P. Larkin 290 * 290
Richard Sichenzio 155 * 155
<FN>
- -------------
* Less than 1%
</FN>
43
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
The Company requires that transactions with affiliates be made on terms that
the Company believes are at least as favorable as those obtainable from
unaffiliated third parties, and such transactions will be approved by a majority
of the independent, disinterested directors.
1994 PRIVATE OFFERING
In October 1994, the Company closed a private offering of 420,570 shares of
its Common Stock for gross proceeds of $982,000. A total of 26 investors
purchased Common Stock in that private offering which began in July 1994, and
the two largest investors therein were Company Directors Thomas Rader (256,774
shares; $350,000) and Luigi Salvaneschi (146,728 shares; $200,000). David Rush,
one of the Company's directors, also invested in that private offering (36,683
shares; $50,000).
ACQUISITION OF RAILCARS
RRI will be the Company's primary source of railcars for the Florida
Fun-Train and its other planned trains. RRI is owned by Thomas G. Rader, a
Director and currently the largest shareholder of the Company. The Company
entered into an agreement with RRI as of June 28, 1994, whereby RRI produced the
initial railcar for the Company. The total purchase price was $850,000. Title to
the railcar was transferred to the Company on July 2, 1996. The Company believes
the transaction for the purchase of the railcar was no less favorable to the
Company than a similar transaction conducted with an unaffiliated third party.
On October 23, 1996 the Company contracted with RRI for the design and
production of up to 12 additional railroad cars and the exterior modification of
the three leased locomotives all of which will be used for the Florida
Fun-Train. The total cost of this equipment, including applicable sales taxes,
is approximately $9.7 million. Pursuant to the RRI contract the Company has paid
a down payment of $1.4 million. The RRI contract provides for the delivery of
various railcars over a period of several months beginning June 1, 1997.
The terms of the transactions between the Company and RRI have been
determined by negotiations between RRI and the Company's disinterested
directors. Because of Mr. Rader's involvement, there is an inherent conflict of
interest in this process; further, competitive bidding was not used for any of
these railcar purchase agreements. The Company's Board of Directors believes
that the terms of the agreements with RRI for the construction of the Fun-Train
railcars are commercially reasonable.
Mr. Rader and RRI have agreed that for a five-year period they will not,
directly or indirectly, engage in the design, marketing sale or lease of
passenger railcars for the purpose of operating passenger entertainment, tourism
or excursion trains in Florida.
RUSH LOAN
In June and July 1995, David Rush, a director and shareholder of the Company,
loaned an aggregate of $125,000 to the Company. The promissory note associated
with this loan provided for simple interest at 18% and the obligation was
personally guaranteed as to collection by Allen C. Harper, the Company's
Chairman of the Board of Directors. At the time of the transaction, the Board of
Directors (with Mr. Rush abstaining) concluded that the interest rate paid on
this loan was reasonable and customary, given the financial condition of the
Company and the current business environment, and that the terms of such loan
were no less favorable than those for a similar transaction with a third party.
The loan was repaid with a portion of the proceeds from the Private Placements.
COMPENSATION TO PLACEMENT AGENT
In connection with the Private Placements, the Company paid Capital Growth
(as the placement agent for such Private Placements) an aggregate cash
commission of $1,352,109.17 and paid Capital Growth a nonaccountable expense
allowance of $338,027.29.
In connection with the April 1996 closing of the Private Placements, the
Company issued to Capital Growth and its designee Alan Jacobs an aggregate of
750,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock;
44
in addition, the Company issued an aggregate of 650,000 Series A Warrants,
260,774 warrants directly to Capital Growth and the balance (389,226
warrants) to 22 designees. These Shares and Series A Warrants are included in
this Offering.
The Company agreed to indemnify Capital Growth against certain liabilities in
connection with the Private Placements, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
The Company has retained Capital Growth for a period of twenty-four months
(the "Advisory Period") at a fee of $5,000 per month, to render various
financial advisory services thereto, and specified fees for additional
financings and other transactions. Further, Capital Growth will be paid a
warrant advisory fee equal to five (5%) percent of the exercise price of the
warrants if it solicits the exercise of such warrants. The Company has agreed
not to solicit the exercise of the warrants other than through Capital Growth.
TEMPORARY LEASE
During fiscal 1995, prior to its present temporary space arrangement, the
Company leased approximately 250 square feet of office space from Eugene K.
Garfield, a director and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company,
for a total annual rental of $6,500.
45
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
COMMON STOCK
The authorized common stock of the Company consists of 100,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, $.001 par value. Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one
vote per share on all matters on which shareholders are entitled to vote, and
the holders of the Common Stock do not have preemptive rights to purchase
additional shares of Common Stock or other subscription rights. The Common Stock
carries no conversion rights and is not subject to redemption or to any sinking
fund provisions. All shares of Common Stock are entitled to share equally in
dividends from sources legally available therefor when, as and if declared by
the Board of Directors and, upon liquidation or dissolution of the Company,
whether voluntary or involuntary, to share equally in the assets of the Company
available for distribution to shareholders. All outstanding shares of Common
Stock are validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and all
shares to be sold and issued as contemplated hereby will be validly authorized
and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
SERIES A REDEEMABLE WARRANTS
The following is a brief summary of certain provisions of the Series A
Redeemable Warrants ("Series A Warrants"), but such summary does not purport to
be complete and is qualified in all respects by reference to the actual text of
the subject warrant certificates.
Each Series A Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of
Common Stock at an initial exercise price of $3.50 per share (subject to
adjustment for stock splits, combinations and reclassifications) at any time
prior to redemption from the date of issuance (April 26 or May 9, 1996) until
two years thereafter. The exercise price of each Series A Warrant bears no
relationship to any objective criteria of value and should in no event be
regarded as an indication of any future market price of the securities offered
hereby. Provided that the applicable Circumstances exist (described below), all,
but not less than all, of the Series A Warrants may be redeemed by the Company
at $.10 per share on thirty days' notice at any time, but only after six months
from the consummation of the Merger (October 26, 1996) and only if the market
price (as described below) for the Common Stock exceeds $5.00 per share. The
"Circumstances" shall exist if (i) the subject securities are registered under
the Securities Act and applicable state "blue sky" laws, (ii) a current
Prospectus is then available for the sale of the securities, and (iii) the
closing bid price of the Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq, the OTC Bulletin
Board, or such other market on which the Common Stock is then traded, exceeds
$5.00 per share for the twenty consecutive trading days ending on the fifth
trading day prior to the date of the notice of redemption or prepayment, as the
case may be.
Each Series A Warrant may be exercised by surrendering the warrant
certificate, with the subscription form attached to the warrant certificate
properly completed and executed, together with payment of the exercise price.
The Series A Warrants may be exercised in whole or from time to time in part. If
less than all of the Warrants evidenced by a warrant certificate are exercised,
a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining number of Series A
Warrants.
The Series A Warrants do not confer upon the holders thereof any voting,
dividend or other rights as shareholders of the Company.
The Series A Warrants are not exercisable unless, at the time of the
exercise, the Company has a current Prospectus covering the shares of Common
Stock issuable upon the exercise of such warrants, and such shares have been
registered, or qualified under the securities laws of the state of residence of
the exercising holder of such warrants, unless such exercise is deemed to be
exempt under federal and applicable state securities laws. Although the Company
will use its best efforts to have all of the shares of Common Stock issuable
upon the exercise of the Series A Warrants registered or qualified on or before
the exercise date and to maintain a current Prospectus relating thereto until
the expiration of such warrants, there can be no assurance that it will be able
to do so.
FINANCIAL ADVISORY WARRANTS
The following is a brief summary of certain provisions of the Financial
Advisory Warrants ("Advisory Warrants"), but such summary does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in all respects by reference to the actual text of the
warrant certificates.
46
Each Advisory Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of
Common Stock at an initial exercise price of $2.50 per share (subject to
adjustment for stock splits, combinations and reclassifications) at any time for
a period of five years from the date of issuance (February 1996). The exercise
price of each Advisory Warrant bears no relationship to any objective criteria
of value and should in no event be regarded as an indication of any future
market price of the securities offered hereby.
Each Advisory Warrant may be exercised by surrendering the warrant
certificate, with the subscription form attached to the warrant certificate
properly completed and executed, together with payment of the exercise price.
The Advisory Warrants may be exercised in whole or from time to time in part. If
less than all of the Warrants evidenced by a warrant certificate are exercised,
a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining number of Advisory
Warrants.
The Advisory Warrants do not confer upon the holders thereof any voting,
dividend or other rights as shareholders of the Company.
The Advisory Warrants are not exercisable unless, at the time of the
exercise, the Company has a current Prospectus covering the shares of Common
Stock issuable upon the exercise of such warrants, and such shares have been
registered, or qualified under the securities laws of the state of residence of
the exercising holder of such warrants, unless such exercise is deemed to be
exempt under federal and applicable state securities laws. Although the Company
will use its best efforts to have all of the shares of Common Stock issuable
upon the exercise of the Advisory Warrants registered or qualified on or before
the exercise date and to maintain a current Prospectus relating thereto until
the expiration of such warrants, there can be no assurance that it will be able
to do so.
PREFERRED STOCK
In connection with the Merger, the Company amended its Articles of
Incorporation to authorize, among other things, the issuance of 500,000 shares
of Preferred Stock, $.001 par value. See "The Merger." The Preferred Stock may
be issued in series from time to time with such designation, rights, preferences
and limitations as the Board of Directors may determine by resolution. The
rights, preferences and limitations of separate series of Preferred Stock may
differ with respect to such matters as may be determined by the Board of
Directors, including, without limitation, the rate of dividends, method and
nature of payment of dividends, terms of redemption, amounts payable on
liquidation, sinking fund provisions (if any), conversion rights (if any) and
voting rights. The potential exists, therefore, that preferred stock might be
issued which would grant dividend preferences and liquidation preferences to
preferred shareholders over common shareholders. Unless the nature of a
particular transaction and applicable statute require such approval, the Board
of Directors has the authority to issue these shares without shareholder
approval. The issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change in control of the Company without any further action by
shareholders.
47
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
This Prospectus covers the sale of Shares and Warrants by the Selling
Shareholders. See "Principal and Selling Shareholders." Any distribution of the
Shares by the Selling Shareholders, or by their pledgees, donees, transferees or
other successors in interest, may be effected from time to time in one or more
of the following transactions: (a) to underwriters who will acquire securities
for their own account and resell them in one or more transactions, including
negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices
determined at the time of sale (any public offering price and any discount or
concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to
time); (b) through brokers, acting as principal or agent, in transactions (which
may involve block transactions) on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market or on one or more
exchanges on which the securities are then listed, in special offerings,
exchange distributions pursuant to the rules of the applicable exchanges or in
the over-the-counter market, or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the
time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, at negotiated
prices or at fixed prices; (c) directly or through brokers or agents in private
sales at negotiated prices; or (d) by any other legally available means.
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Shares and
Warrants offered hereby. The aggregate proceeds to the Selling Shareholders from
the securities offered hereby will be the offering price less applicable
commissions or discounts, if any. There is no assurance that the Selling
Shareholders will sell any of the securities offered hereby.
The Selling Shareholders and such underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents,
upon effecting a sale of securities, may be considered "underwriters" as that
term is defined in the Securities Act. Sales effected through agents, brokers or
dealers will ordinarily involve payment of customary brokerage commissions
although some brokers or dealers may purchase such shares as agents for others
or as principals for their own account. The Selling Shareholders will pay any
sales commissions or other sellers' compensation applicable to such
transactions. A portion of any proceeds of sales and discounts, commissions or
other sellers' compensation may be deemed to be underwriting compensation for
purposes of the Securities Act.
Pursuant to applicable rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), any person engaged in the
distribution of the securities offered hereby may not simultaneously engage in
market making activities for the Common Stock for a period of two business days
prior to the commencement of such distribution. In addition, each Selling
Shareholder and any other person who participates in a distribution of the
securities will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder, including Rules 10b-2, 10b-6 and 10b-7, which
provisions may limit the timing of purchases and may affect the marketability of
the securities and the ability of any person to engage in market making
activities for the Common Stock.
At the time a particular offering of securities is made, to the extent
required, a Prospectus supplement will be distributed which will set forth the
number of securities being offered and the terms of the offering, including the
purchase price or the public offering price, the name or names of any
underwriters, dealers or agents, the purchase price paid by any underwriters for
securities purchased from the Selling Shareholders, any discounts, commissions
and other items constituting compensation from the Selling Shareholders and any
discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable,
the securities will be sold in such jurisdictions, if required, only through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the
securities may not be sold unless the securities have ben registered or
qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or
qualification is available and the conditions of such exemption have been
satisfied.
The Company has agreed that it will bear all costs, expenses and fees in
connection with the registration or qualification of the securities under
federal and state securities laws. The Company and each Selling Shareholder have
agreed to indemnify each other and certain other persons against certain
liabilities in connection with the offering of the securities, including
liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
48
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities being offered hereby will be passed upon for
the Company by Olle, Macaulay & Zorrilla, P.A., Miami, Florida. Dennis J. Olle,
a shareholder of that firm, is the beneficial owner of 1,714 shares of the
Common Stock of the Company.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of the Company included in this Prospectus for the
eight months ended December 31, 1995, and the year ended April 30, 1995, have
been audited by BDO Seidman LLP, independent certified public accountants, to
the extent and for the periods set forth in their report appearing elsewhere
herein and is included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of
said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
On May 6, 1996, the Company's Board of Directors voted to engage BDO Seidman,
LLP to act as the Company's independent certified public accountants, thereby
discharging Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell, P.C. (Salt Lake City, UT). The former
accountants' reports for the Company's last two fiscal years did not contain any
adverse opinion, or disclaimer of opinion, nor were any such reports modified as
to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. There have been no
disagreements between the Company and the former accountants with regard to any
matters which would have caused such accountants to make reference to the
subject matter thereof with their report.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act,
and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other
information can be inspected at the public reference facilities maintained by
the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices at Suite 1400,
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and 13th
Floor, Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such
material can be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section
of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C.
20549.
The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement (the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the
securities offered by this Prospectus. This Prospectus does not contain all the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are
omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For
further information with respect to the Company and this offering, reference is
made to the Registration Statement, including the exhibits filed therewith,
which may be inspected without charge at the Commission's public reference
facility at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549, and
upon request at its above-described Regional Offices. Copies of the Registration
Statement may be obtained from the Commission at its public reference facility
upon payment of prescribed fees. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to
the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete and,
where the contract or other document has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, each such statement is qualified in all respects by
reference to the applicable documents filed with the Commission.
In addition, reports and other information concerning the Company may be
inspected at the offices of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., 1735 K Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20006.
49
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE
----
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants.... F-2
Balance Sheets........................................ F-3
Statements of Operations.............................. F-4
Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit).......... F-5
Statements of Cash Flows.............................. F-6
Notes to Financial Statements......................... F-7
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
First American Railways, Inc.
(A Development Stage Company)
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of First American Railways,
Inc. (a development stage company) as of December 31, 1995 and the related
statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows for the
eight months then ended, and for the year ended April 30, 1995. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of First American Railways, Inc.,
(a development stage company) as of December 31, 1995 and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the eight months then ended, and for the year
ended April 30, 1995 are in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
BDO Seidman, LLP
Miami, Florida
July 3, 1996, except for Notes 8(i), (j), (k) and (l)
which are as of October 29, 1996
F-2
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
BALANCE SHEETS
JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
1996 1995
(UNAUDITED)
-------------- ---------------
ASSETS
CURRENT
Cash ........................................................ $11,930,645 $ --
Restricted cash (Note 8) .................................... 829,924 --
-------------- ---------------
Cash and cash items ......................................... 12,760,569 --
Prepaids and other .......................................... 144,500 1,680
-------------- ---------------
Total current assets ......................................... 12,905,069 1,680
EQUIPMENT (NOTE 2) ........................................... 12,722 5,992
ASSET HELD FOR FUTURE USE .................................... 840,000 --
DEPOSIT TO RELATED PARTY (NOTE 5) ............................ -- 350,000
DEFERRED LOAN COSTS (NOTE 8) ................................. 966,430 --
-------------- ---------------
$14,724,221 $ 357,672
============== ===============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
CURRENT
Accounts payable ............................................ $ 13,683 $ 196,076
Accrued liabilities ......................................... 142,676 120,970
Notes payable to related parties and others (Note 7) ....... -- 265,000
-------------- ---------------
Total current liabilities .................................... 156,359 582,046
CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE, NET (NOTE 8) ...................... 8,250,682 --
-------------- ---------------
8,407,041 582,046
-------------- ---------------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 5)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (NOTE 4)
Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 500,000 shares authorized -- --
Common stock, $.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares
authorized, 9,050,275 and 4,275,000 shares issued
and outstanding ........................................... 9,050 4,275
Additional paid-in capital .................................. 8,406,746 1,110,760
Deficit accumulated during the development stage ........... (2,098,616) (1,339,409)
-------------- ---------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) ......................... 6,317,180 (224,374)
-------------- ---------------
$14,724,221 $ 357,672
============== ===============
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-3
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
CUMULATIVE FROM
FEBRUARY 14, 1994
(INCORPORATION) FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE
THROUGH SIX MONTHS ENDED EIGHT MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31, APRIL 30,
1996 1996 1995 1995 1995
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
------------------ --------------------------- ------------------- -------------
EXPENSES:
Salaries and payroll taxes .. $ 762,434 $ 157,635 $ 164,251 $ 242,007 $ 362,792
Professional fees ............ 30,790 26,875 2,416 3,464 451
General and administrative .. 380,394 179,064 69,747 125,723 75,607
Interest, net ................ 207,164 188,085 517 19,079 --
Consulting fees (Note 5) .... 86,637 27,265 32,013 46,802 12,570
Amortization of deferred loan
costs (Note 8) ............. 121,399 121,399 -- -- --
Depreciation ................. 3,235 1,055 780 1,088 1,092
Expenses from offerings
not completed .............. 506,563 57,829 172,592 282,250 166,484
------------------ ------------- ------------- ------------------- -------------
Total expenses ................ 2,098,616 759,207 442,316 720,413 618,996
------------------ ------------- ------------- ------------------- -------------
Net loss, representing deficit
accumulated during the
development stage ........... $(2,098,616) $ (759,207) $ (442,316) $ (720,413) $ (618,996)
================== ============= ============= =================== =============
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding
(Note 1) .................... -- 6,193,452 4,275,000 4,275,000 4,275,000
================== ============= ============= =================== =============
Net loss per common share .... -- $ (.12) $ (.10) $ (.17) $ (.14)
================== ============= ============= =================== =============
The Company had no operating activities from February 14, 1994 (incorporation)
through April 30, 1994.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
DEFICIT
ACCUMULATED
COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL DURING THE
---------------------------- PAID-IN DEVELOPMENT
SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL STATE
------------ ------------ ------------- -------------
Balance at February 14, 1994 and April 30, 1994 .................. -- $ -- $ -- $ --
Initial capitalization for cash at $0.0046 per share
(Note 4(b)) .................................................... 3,854,430 3,854 14,146 --
Issuance of common stock for cash at $2.29 per share,
net offering costs of $20,965 (Note 4(c)) ...................... 420,570 421 960,614 --
Capital cotnribution--forgiven salaries (Note 5) ................. -- -- 136,000 --
Net loss ......................................................... -- -- -- (618,996)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance at April 30, 1995 ........................................ 4,275,000 $ 4,275 $ 1,110,760 (618,996)
Net loss ......................................................... -- -- -- (720,413)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance at December 31, 1995 ..................................... 4,275,000 $ 4,275 $ 1,110,760 $(1,339,409)
Issuance of common stock in connection with Stage 1
offering, net of offering costs of $11,692 (unaudited)
(Note 8(a)) .................................................... 375,004 375 42,933 --
Issuance of common stock in connection with Stage II
offering, net of offering costs of $993,230
(unaudited) (Note 8(a)) ........................................ 4,050,271 4,050 7,253,403 --
Merger with Asia-America Corporation (unaudited)
(Note 8(c)) .................................................... 350,000 350 (350) --
Net loss (unaudited) ............................................. -- -- -- (759,207)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance at June 30, 1996 (unaudited) ............................. 9,050,275 $ 9,050 $ 8,406,746 $(2,098,616)
=========== =========== =========== ===========
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-5
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
CUMULATIVE FROM
FEBRUARY 14, 1994
(INCORPORATION) FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE
THROUGH SIX MONTHS ENDED EIGHT MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31, APRIL 30,
1996 1996 1995 1995 1995
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
----------------- ------------------------------ ------------------ -------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss ..................................... $ (2,098,616) $ (759,207) $ (442,316) $ (720,413) $ (618,996)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
net cash provided by operating
activities:
Salaries forgiven .......................... 136,000 -- -- -- 136,000
Depreciation ............................... 3,235 1,055 780 1,088 1,092
Amortization of deferred loan costs ........ 121,399 121,399 -- -- --
Write-off of deferred offering costs ....... 25,000 -- -- 25,000 --
Increase in restricted cash ................ (829,924) (829,924) -- -- --
Increase in prepaids and other ............. (144,500) (142,820) (1,000) -- (1,680)
Increase (decrease) in accounts
payable .................................. 13,683 (182,393) 24,924 173,954 22,122
Increase in accrued liabilities ............ 142,676 21,706 518 120,970 --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total adjustments ............................. (532,431) (1,010,977) 25,222 321,012 157,534
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash used by operating activities ......... (2,631,047) (1,770,184) (417,094) (399,401) (461,462)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Deposit for purchase of railcar from
related party .............................. (350,000) -- -- -- (350,000)
Capital expenditures ......................... (505,957) (497,785) (1,137) -- (8,172)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities ......... (855,957) (497,785) (1,137) -- (358,172)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings from related parties .............. 338,388 68,388 50,000 270,000 --
Repayments of notes payable to
related parties and others ................. (338,388) (333,388) -- (5,000) --
Net proceeds from issuance of notes
payable .................................... 8,695,682 8,695,682 -- -- --
Repayment of notes payable ................... (445,000) (445,000) -- -- --
Payment of loan costs ........................ (1,087,829) (1,087,829) -- -- --
Net proceeds from issuance of common
stock ...................................... 8,279,796 7,300,761 -- -- 979,035
Payment of offering costs .................... (25,000) -- -- -- (25,000)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by
financing activities ....................... 15,417,649 14,198,614 50,000 265,000 954,035
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase in cash .......................... 11,930,645 11,930,645 (368,231) (134,401) 134,401
Cash at beginning of period ................... -- -- 368,231 134,401 --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Cash at end of period ......................... $ 11,930,645 $ 11,930,645 $ -- $ -- $ 134,401
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Cash paid for interest ....................... $ 125,341 $ 125,341 $ -- $ -- $ --
Application of deposit to related
party for purchase of asset held for
future use ................................. $ 350,000 $ 350,000 $ -- $ -- $ --
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-6
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNAUDITED WITH RESPECT TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND 1995
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
First American Railways, Inc. ("the Company") was incorporated on February
14, 1994, in the state of Florida. The Company is a development stage entity,
organized for the purpose of constructing, acquiring and marketing entertainment
based passenger trains. Initially the Company intends to initiate service
between Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando and subsequently to other parts of the United
States and internationally.
PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
EQUIPMENT AND DEPRECIATION
Equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Equipment is
depreciated on the straight line basis over 5 years.
ASSET HELD FOR FUTURE USE
Asset held for future use will be depreciated beginning at the time it is
placed into service.
OFFERING COSTS
Costs incurred in connection with the Company's efforts to obtain additional
financing through a public offering or private placement of securities are
deferred and offset against the proceeds in stockholders' equity (deficit) or
charged to operations if an offering or placement is unsuccessful.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying amounts of financial instruments including accounts and notes
payable approximated fair value due to the relatively short maturity.
INCOME TAXES
The Company has no income since inception and accordingly has not provided
for income taxes.
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
Net loss per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares
of common stock outstanding, as adjusted for the effects of the application of
Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 83.
Pursuant to SAB No. 83, common stock issued by the Company at a price less than
the contemplated public offering price is treated as outstanding for all periods
presented.
FUTURE ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 "Accounting for Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
F-7
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
UNAUDITED WITH RESPECT TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND 1995
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
Assets to be Disposed of" ("SFAS No. 121"). SFAS No. 121 requires, among
other things, impairment loss of assets to be held and gains or losses from
assets that are expected to be disposed of be included as a component of
income from continuing operations before taxes on income. The Company has
adopted SFAS No. 121 as of January 1, 1996 and its implementation did not
have a material effect on the financial statements.
In October 1995, FASB issued SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock Based
Compensation." SFAS No. 123 requires that a fair value method for accounting for
stock-based compensation plans be calculated and either recognized in the
financial statements or disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. The
Company does not presently intend to adopt the fair value based method and as
such, earnings will not be impacted by these options. However, appropriate
disclosures will be made in the notes to the financial statements of the effects
of the calculation required by the statement.
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The interim financial statements as of June 30, 1996 and for the six months
ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 and for the cumulative period from February 14,
1994 through June 30, 1996 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, such
statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position,
results of operations and changes in cash flows. The results of operations for
the six months ended June 30, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results
for the entire year.
2. EQUIPMENT
The Company's equipment is summarized as follows:
DECEMBER 31,
1995
------------
Office and computer equipment ............................. $ 8,172
Less accumulated depreciation ............................. (2,180)
-------
$ 5,992
=======
Also see Note 5 for assets held for future use.
3. INCOME TAXES
At December 31, 1995, the Company had an accumulated net loss of
approximately $1,340,000 for financial reporting purposes. In general, expenses
incurred during the development stage are capitalized for tax purposes as
pre-operating expenses and may be amortizable over a 60 month period commencing
with the month in which active business begins.
Realization of any portion of the approximate $500,000 deferred tax asset at
December 31, 1995, resulting from the future amortization of capitalized
pre-operating expenses, is not considered more likely than not and, accordingly,
a valuation allowance has been established for the full amount of such asset.
4. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
a) In May 1995, the Company executed a stock split and exchanged the
1,996,400 then outstanding shares of its common stock for 2,495,500 shares of
common stock and changed the par value of its
F-8
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
UNAUDITED WITH RESPECT TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND 1995
4. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)--(CONTINUED)
common stock from $.01 to no par. In February 1996, the Company executed a
second stock split and exchanged the 2,495,500 shares of its common stock for
4,275,000 shares of common stock with no par value, 10,000,000 shares
authorized to be issued. In connection with the merger with Asia-America, the
common stock was recapitalized at $.001 par value (Note 8(c)). The components
of stockholders' equity and all per share amounts in the accompanying
financial statements have been adjusted retroactively to reflect the stock
splits and changes in par value.
b) In 1994, the Company issued 3,854,430 shares of common stock to its
initial shareholders for cash of $18,000.
c) In connection with a private placement, the Company issued 420,570
shares of common stock for cash of $961,035 net of offering costs of $20,965.
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
a) The Company entered into employment agreements, which expire by 1997, with
three of its officers providing for aggregate annual salaries of approximately
$250,000 and for certain payments in the event of termination. During the period
from February 14, 1994 (incorporation) to April 30, 1995, such officers waived
approximately $136,000 of salaries due them under the terms of their respective
employment agreements. The amounts waived were recorded as salary expense and a
capital contribution. The officers do not plan to waive future salaries due them
under the agreements. The Company has modified certain employment agreements and
entered into others (Note 8(g)).
b) The Company pursuant to an agreement with Rader Railcar, Inc. ("Rader") a
company owned by a director and shareholder, had a railcar constructed to be
acquired by the Company at a total cost of $850,000. During the year ended April
30, 1995, the Company advanced $350,000 to Rader which is included in deposit to
related party in the accompanying balance sheet at December 31, 1995. The
Company took delivery of the railcar on April 28, 1995, and at that time assumed
the full risk of loss of such car. The balance was paid in June 1996 at which
time title passed to the Company. In April 1996, Rader had entered into a lease
agreement with Great Canadian Railtour Co., to lease the railcar for a period of
seven months for $10,000 per month. In June 1996, the remaining proceeds of the
lease were assigned to the Company and, therefore, the Company will receive
monthly lease payments of $10,000 through September 1996. Since this leasing
activity is not the intended use of the railcar, the June 1996 payment was
recorded as a reduction in the cost of the railcar (Note 8(j)).
c) In February 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with the Florida
East Coast Railway Company ("FEC") for the use of FEC track in connection with
the Company's proposed rail operations. Under the agreement, the Company will
pay a fee to the FEC upon commencement of operations of no less than either
$500,000 per train, per year, or $18 per train-mile (with a stipulated train
size of 15 cars). Effective January 1 of the year in which the third anniversary
of the commencement service occurs, and January 1 in every third year
thereafter, the car mile rate and the minimum amount payable shall, upon the
request of either party, be adjusted based on the "Consumer Price Index For
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers" unadjusted, as published by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. The agreement will expire ten
years from the date of commencement of service. At the conclusion of the initial
ten year term, the company will have the right to extend the agreement for an
additional ten year period upon twelve months advance notice to the FEC.
F-9
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
UNAUDITED WITH RESPECT TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND 1995
6. OTHER EVENTS
On August 24, 1995 the Company entered into a memorandum of understanding
with CSX Transportation, Inc. ("CSXT") for the use of its tracks between West
Palm Beach and the Orlando International Airport tradeport site in connection
with the operation of the Florida Fun-Train. The memorandum which contains the
essential terms of the agreement between the Company and CSXT, provides, in
part, that the Company will pay CSXT the greater of $20 per train mile, or 16%
of the Company's ticket revenue from the Florida Fun-Train operations. In
addition, the Company is required to maintain at least $300 million in
comprehensive general liability insurance with a minimal deductible (or self
insured). The memorandum also provides for a certain degree of exclusivity for
the Company's proposed rail operations. Specifically CSXT has agreed not to
grant similar access rights to the subject rail corridor (between West Palm
Beach and Orlando) to any other private rail passenger operator or contractor
which would provide comparable conventional rail passenger service (primarily
servicing the cruise ship market). This exclusivity clause is voidable by CSXT
upon the occurrence of certain conditions. The term of the agreement is five
years. In addition to the foregoing, the Company has agreed to sell up to
400,000 warrants to CSXT the terms of such warrants are to be negotiated. Also,
the Company has agreed to appoint a CSXT representative, selected by the
Company, to its Board of Directors. CSXT has not yet nominated their
representative to the Board (Note 8(k)).
7. NOTES PAYABLE TO RELATED PARTIES AND OTHERS
On June 9, 1995 the Company entered into a loan agreement with a shareholder
and director for up to $125,000, with simple interest of 18%. As of December 31,
1995, the Company had borrowed $125,000. In addition, the Company entered into
loan agreements with two other shareholders for a total of $140,000 with simple
interest of 18%. Subsequent to December 31, 1995, an additional $68,388 was
borrowed from related parties bearing interest of 18% per annum. All loans were
repaid with the proceeds of the private offering that closed in May 1996.
8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
a) In March 1996, the Company completed its Stage I financing. The Company
received gross proceeds of $500,000 in exchange for $500,000 in notes payable
bearing interest at 10% per annum, with a $55,000 original issue discount, and
375,004 shares of common stock valued at $55,000. Costs associated with the
offering were $106,291.
In May 1996, the Company completed its Stage II financing. Total
consideration of $16,501,365 was received consisting of $16,085,000 in cash and
the conversion of $412,500 in notes payable and $3,865 in accrued interest from
Stage I financing. In connection with this transaction $8,250,682 in five-year
convertible notes bearing interest at 10% per annum were issued. Interest is
payable semi-annually in April and October and the notes are convertible at
$3.50 per share. In addition, 3,950,271 redeemable common stock purchase
warrants and 4,050,271 shares of common stock valued at $8,250,683 were issued.
Costs associated with the offering were $1,986,460. The Company used $778,388 of
the net proceeds to paydown $333,388 in notes payable to related parties and
others and $445,000 in notes payable from the Stage I financing. In connection
with the retirement of the Stage I debt, $94,599 of deferred loan costs was
charged to operations as amortization of deferred loan costs. In addition,
$55,000 of original issue discount was charged to operations as interest
expense.
Prepaid interest of $829,924 representing the first year's interest on the
Stage II debt was placed in escrow.
F-10
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
UNAUDITED WITH RESPECT TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND 1995
8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS--(CONTINUED)
b) In 1996, the Company granted two-year warrants to purchase 12,500 shares
of common stock at $3.50 per share to a shareholder, in consideration for
extending the repayment terms of a loan made to the Company.
c) On April 26, 1996, the Company merged into Asia-America Corporation (Asia)
a public company and accounted for the transaction as a reverse acquisition for
financial statement purposes, and was recapitalized with 9,050,271 shares of
$.001 par value stock, 100,000,000 shares authorized to be issued. In connection
with this transaction, there was no impact on the operating results of the
Company and it resulted only in an adjustment to stockholders equity.
d) During 1996, the Company granted three year warrants to purchase 100,000
shares of common stock at $2.50 per share (the market value at the date of
grant) pursuant to a consulting agreement.
e) In May 1996, the Company entered into a two year agreement with an
underwriter to provide financial advisory and consulting services. The agreement
provides for annual fees of $60,000. It also provides for additional fees
comprising of 3% to 5% of consideration paid for acquisitions or mergers with
other companies, joint ventures, license and royalty agreements, etc., that the
consultant arranges and 1.5% to 8% of the gross proceeds resulting from the sale
of any securities issued by the Company.
f) In July 1996, the Company entered into a three year employment agreement
with its new President and Chief Operating Officer. The agreement provides for
an initial annual base salary of $150,000 and a minimum annual bonus of $25,000
with minimum increases in the base salary to $175,000 on January 1, 1997,
$189,000 on January 1, 1998, and $204,120 on January 1, 1999. In addition,
nonqualified stock options will be granted annually to purchase a minimum of
30,000 shares of common stock. In connection with this agreement, in July 1996,
the Company issued 10,800 shares of common stock and granted options to purchase
30,000 shares at $3.50 per share (the market value at the date of grant).
g) In June 1996, the employment agreements previously entered into with the
officers of the Company were modified to provide for aggregate annual base
salaries of approximately $300,000 (Note 5(a)).
h) In July 1996, the Company entered into a consulting agreement to undertake
a market study designed to evaluate target market segments most likely to use
the Company's trains. The cost of the study will be approximately $172,000.
i) In August and September 1996, the Company entered into one year employment
agreements with four of its new officers providing for annual aggregate initial
base compensation of $385,000. In addition, nonqualified stock options were
granted to purchase 51,000 shares of common stock at the market price at the
date of grant (ranging from $3.50 to $4.75 per share) of which 19,000 vest
immediately, with the remaining 32,000 vesting equally in two annual increments.
j) In October 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with Rader for
design and production of up to twelve additional railcars for a total cost of
approximately $9,700,000. Pursuant to the agreement the Company has made a down
payment of $1,400,000 to Rader. The agreement provides for delivery of various
railcars over a period of several months beginning June 1997 (Note 5 (b)).
k) In October 1996, the Company reduced the CSXT memorandum to a formal
agreement. Modification to the memorandum includes a provision whereby the
pre-train mile amount is subject to various increases for inflation and other
price adjustments. In
F-11
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
UNAUDITED WITH RESPECT TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND 1995
8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS--(CONTINUED)
addition, the Company has agreed to sell up to 475,000 warrants to CSXT,
exercisable at $4.50 per warrant with 75,000 warrants being exercisable upon
commencement of operations of the Florida Fun-Train and thereafter in four
equal annual installment of 100,000 warrants each commencing January 1, 1998
(Note 6).
l) In October 1996, the Company entered into a letter of intent with the
Florida Department of Transportation for the right to use the tracks between Ft.
Lauderdale and West Palm Beach which comprise part of the proposed route of the
Florida Fun-Train. The Company anticipates that the track usage fee will range
from $400 to $600 per one way trip. The cost to the Company is expected to
include the right to use a railroad terminal in Broward County and the track
rights to an existing railroad maintenance facility in Dade County.
F-12
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NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE HEREBY. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE
SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN
WHICH SUCH AN OFFER WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS
NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN
IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE FACTS HEREIN SET FORTH SINCE
THE DATE HEREOF.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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Prospectus Summary ........................ 3
Risk Factors .............................. 6
The Merger ................................ 13
Use of Proceeds ........................... 14
Price Range of Common Stock ............... 14
Dividend Policy ........................... 15
Selected Financial Data ................... 16
Plan of Operation ......................... 17
Business .................................. 20
Management ................................ 29
Principal and Selling Shareholders ....... 35
Certain Transactions ...................... 44
Description of Securities ................. 46
Plan of Distribution ...................... 48
Legal Matters ............................. 49
Experts ................................... 49
Additional Information .................... 49
Index to Financial Statements ............. F-1
Report of Independent Certified Public
Accountants ............................... F-2
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11,788,321 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
6,320,111 SERIES A REDEEMABLE WARRANTS
100,000 FINANCIAL ADVISORY WARRANTS
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
[LOGO]
FIRST AMERICAN RAILWAYS, INC.
COMMON STOCK
AND
WARRANTS
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PROSPECTUS
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NOVEMBER 8, 1996
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