How to Make Distressed Buyout models (Freight Industry)

I will be working on the freight rail side of a transportation manufacturing firm (rails, trucks, and construction) this summer. I am specifically tasked with canvassing, and evaluating small distressed rail manufacturers for acquisition. Of course, I'm extremely excited for this internship, as I love trains and play a ton of logistical management video games (Factorio and Anno). There's one problem -- I know next to nothing about financial modeling. I go to a liberal arts school, so there's no finance major for me to learn these skills. I know the basic vocabulary and concepts of finance, but not much else.

How should I prepare in two weeks until the internship? How would I even find the financial information for small private manufacturers?

1 Comments
 

Accusamus ea qui et voluptate autem dolor. Soluta doloremque qui architecto tenetur suscipit debitis et.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (353) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”