Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(i)

                              CONSULTING AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT made this 2nd day of June, 2000, by and between MICHAEL
J. JANDERNOA (the "Consultant") and PERRIGO COMPANY, a Michigan corporation
having its corporate offices at 515 Eastern Avenue, Allegan, Michigan
("Perrigo").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, Consultant has been a loyal and valuable executive officer of
Perrigo for many years and has peculiar and special knowledge regarding all
facets of the business of Perrigo and the manner in which it is conducted; and

         WHEREAS, Perrigo desires to assure itself of the continued services of
Consultant as a consultant to assist the new President and Chief Executive
Officer in the performance of his duties on an as requested basis during the
term of this Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, Consultant desires to be retained by Perrigo as a consultant
under the terms and conditions as hereinafter set forth;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the services to be performed by
Consultant for Perrigo and in further consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter set forth, Consultant and Perrigo have agreed as follows:

         1. Services. During the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall render
to Perrigo, any successor corporation, affiliate or parent company of Perrigo
such consulting and advisory services as shall be requested by the President and
Chief Executive Officer of Perrigo that are consistent with the services
performed by Consultant while employed by Perrigo.

         Subject to Section 2 below, during the first eight (8) months of the
term of this Agreement Consultant shall provide consulting services to the
President and Chief Executive Officer on an as-requested basis, which services
shall be performed at all reasonable times.

         Subject to Section 2 below, during the remainder of the term of this
Agreement, the consulting services shall be provided at the times and in the
manner, by telephone or in person, specified by Consultant.

         2. Term. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date
hereof and shall end two (2) years from such Effective Date.

         3. Compensation.

            (a) As an inducement to Consultant to enter into this Agreement and
accept the terms herein set forth, Perrigo agrees to pay to Consultant a pro
rata portion of the Management Incentive bonus that Consultant would have earned
for fiscal year 2000 under Perrigo's

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Management Incentive Bonus Plan (the "Plan") had Consultant continued his
written consent of employment with Perrigo through the payment dates provided
for in the Plan ("the MIB Bonus"). The pro rata bonus will be determined by
multiplying the MIB Bonus by a fraction, the numerator of which is 10 and the
denominator of which is 12. The pro rata bonus as determined pursuant to this
Section 3(a) shall be paid on the dates and in the proportionate amounts that
bonuses are paid to all other participants in the Plan for fiscal year 2000.

            (b) During the term of this Agreement, Perrigo shall pay and provide
to Consultant, for the services of Consultant under this Agreement, compensation
and benefits as follows:

                (i) A consulting fee of Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Eight
Dollars ($16,668.00) monthly shall be paid to Consultant during the two year
term of this Agreement commencing in May 2000.

                (ii) A private health insurance policy shall be provided to
Consultant for the term of this Agreement that is comparable to the health
insurance coverage now provided to the executive officers of Perrigo.

            (c) During the term of this Agreement, Perrigo shall provide to
Consultant office space and secretarial services in the area leased by it in the
Grand Rapids, Michigan area together with basic utility services (including
telephone service) copying and telecopying services, all at no cost to
Consultant; provided; however that (i) Consultant shall reimburse Perrigo for
long distance charges incurred by him that were not in connection with business
conducted by him on behalf of Perrigo and (ii) Consultant shall pay the full
cost of the secretarial services from and after October 1, 2001.

            (d) In addition to the amounts payable pursuant to Section 3(a),
(b), and (c) above, Perrigo shall reimburse Consultant for his other reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of his duties upon submission
by Consultant of appropriate documented expense reports.

            (e) Consultant's existing stock options shall all become vested as
of May 1, 2000 and Consultant shall have a period of three (3) years, ending May
1, 2003, during which Consultant may exercise those options. In the event of a
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 5 (a) or (c) below,
Consultant, or his heirs, representatives, or assigns, in the event of his
death, shall have the right to exercise Consultants existing stock options for
the remainder of the period specified above.

            (f) As long as Consultant remains on the Board of Directors of
Perrigo, he shall receive the compensation in effect from time to time paid by
Perrigo to its outside directors.

         Consultant agrees that all perquisites and benefits provided to him as
an executive officer of Perrigo ceased as of May 1, 2000.

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         4. Perrigo, (a) engage directly or indirectly, for himself or others,
in any activity or employment in the faithful performance of which it could be
reasonably anticipated that he would be required or expected to use or disclose
Confidential Information obtained by him prior to or during the term of this
Agreement, or (b) otherwise disclose such Confidential Information to any third
party except as necessary for the performance of his duties under this
Agreement.

         The term "Confidential Information" shall mean and include methods,
processes, techniques, formulae, compounds, compositions, equipment, research
and development data, clinical and pharmacological data, marketing and sales
information, personnel data, customer or supplier lists, financial information
or data, strategic, operational, financial or other plans, computer hardware and
software, and all know-how and trade secrets which are in the possession of
Perrigo, its subsidiaries, or any company affiliated with Perrigo, and which
have not been published or disclosed to the general public.

         In consideration of the agreements set forth in Section 3 above,
Consultant agrees to execute a Noncompetition and Nondisclosure Agreement in the
form attached as Exhibit A.

         5. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by:

             (a) The expiration of the term of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 2 above.

             (b) Mutual written agreement of Consultant and Perrigo.

             (c) Perrigo upon the death of Consultant.

             (d) Perrigo upon the refusal of Consultant to make himself
reasonably available for the consulting services to be rendered hereunder during
the term of this Agreement.

             (e) Perrigo upon a material violation by Consultant of any of the
material covenants contained herein.

             (f) Perrigo in the event of Consultant's dishonesty or willful
misconduct.

         In the event this Agreement is terminated, the rights of Consultant to
payments hereunder shall immediately terminate for any payment that becomes due
and owing after the date of termination. Perrigo's rights of termination shall
be without prejudice to its other legal remedies. Consultant's obligations under
Section 4 hereof shall survive expiration or termination of this Agreement.

         6. Relationship of the Parties. The relationship between Perrigo and
Consultant will be that of principal and agent; provided, however, that except
as otherwise provided by Perrigo in writing, Consultant is not granted authority
to assume or create any obligation or responsibility, express or implied, on
behalf of or in the name of Perrigo, or to bind Perrigo in any manner
whatsoever. As a consultant, Consultant will not participate in any of the
employee benefit plans offered by Perrigo and Perrigo shall not withhold any
local, state, or federal taxes from the payments made to Consultant under this
Agreement, all tax liability in respect of

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Consultant's receipt of compensation hereunder being the sole and exclusive
responsibility of Consultant.

         7. Indemnification. In connection with the performance of his duties
hereunder, Consultant shall be entitled to indemnification as an agent of
Perrigo to the full extent required or provided for by (a) the Business
Corporation Law of the State of Michigan; (b) the Articles of Incorporation and
By-laws of Perrigo; and (c) the terms of the attached Indemnity Agreement.

         8. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been given if delivered or mailed postage
prepaid:

            (a) If to Consultant:

                Michael J. Jandernoa
                2431 Belleglade S.E.
                Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

            (b) If to Perrigo:

                Perrigo Company
                515 Eastern Avenue
                Allegan, Michigan 49010
                Attention:  Chief Executive Officer

         9. Entire Agreement. This document contains the entire agreement
between Consultant and Perrigo concerning the subject matter hereof and it may
not be changed orally, but only by agreement in writing, executed by Consultant
and Perrigo.

         10. Governing Law. This Agreement and the performance hereunder shall
be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan.

         11. Effective Date. The "Effective Date" of this Agreement shall be May
1, 2000.

                                                     PERRIGO COMPANY,
                                                     a Michigan corporation

                                                     By:
                                                        ------------------------
                                                        Its:
                                                            --------------------

                                                     CONSULTANT:

                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Michael J. Jandernoa

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                   NONCOMPETITION AND NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT

         THIS NONCOMPETITION AND NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") entered
into on June 2, 2000, by and between PERRIGO COMPANY, a Michigan corporation,
for and in behalf of itself and each of its subsidiary and affiliated companies
(collectively referred to "Perrigo" or the "Company"), and MICHAEL J. JANDERNOA
(referred to as "Consultant").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, Perrigo's special competence in its various fields of endeavor
is the secret of its growth, and such growth depends to a significant degree on
Perrigo's confidential, proprietary information. This information that is not
generally known to others and includes more and better information that our
competitors have about research, development, production, marketing and
management in the manufacture, preparation, handling, treatment, storage, sale,
distribution, shipment and use of products for the Store and Value Brand Product
(as herein defined) ("Company Business"). To obtain such information and use it
successfully, Perrigo spends considerable sums of money in product development,
the development of marketing methods, training its employees, and service to its
customers; and

         WHEREAS, Consultant has entered into a Consulting Agreement with
Perrigo. In connection with providing such consulting services, Consultant has
obtained or will obtain access to sensitive information regarding the Company
Business and its customers. The parties agree that improper disclosure or use of
that information will cause series and irreparable harm to the Company; and

         WHEREAS, Perrigo has agreed to cause all of Consultant's existing stock
options to vest as of May 1, 2000 and to extend to Consultant a period of two
(2) years, ending May 1, 2002, during which Consultant may exercise those
options; and

         WHEREAS, on the date hereof Consultant has entered into a Consulting
Agreement and has further agreed as a condition of Perrigo entering into the
Consulting Agreement and this Noncompetition and Nondisclosure Agreement to not
compete with Perrigo;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration for the vesting of all of Consultant's
existing stock options, the extension of Consultant's time to exercise those
stock options to May 1, 2003 and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt of which is acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

         12. Restriction on Competing Activities. During the term of
Consultant's Consulting Agreement (May 1, 2000 through May 1, 2002), Consultant
will not, directly or indirectly, alone or as a partner, officer, director,
owner, employee or consultant of any business or other entity, be engaged in any
business or other enterprise that competes, directly or indirectly, with the
Company Business without the express written consent of the Board of Directors
of Perrigo.

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         13. Restriction on Post-Consultant Activities. For a period of two (2)
years following the expiration of the Consulting Agreement, Consultant shall
not, directly or indirectly, alone or as a partner, director, officer, owner,
employee or consultant of any business or other entity, compete in any way with
the Company Business. In addition to its plain meaning and understanding,
"compete in any way with the Company Business" shall specifically include
engaging in any way in the production, distribution or sale of any Store and
Value Brand Products that are similar to or competitive with those now or
hereafter produced, distributed or sold by Perrigo. As used in this Agreement,
"Store and Value Brand Products" means those products that are supplied by a
manufacturer or marketer through channels of distribution (including, but not
limited to, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) that bear either (i) a
label or brand name that is not regularly advertised by national broadcast,
print, direct mail or other media for the purpose of establishing brand name
recognition of the manufacturer, marketer and/or distributor with the general
public.

         Consultant also agrees that during this two-year period, he will not,
directly or indirectly, either for himself or any other person, solicit or
induce, or attempt to solicit or induce, any individual who is an employee,
independent contractor, supplier or customer of Perrigo to terminate his, her or
its business relationship with the Company or in any way interfere with or
disrupt the Company's relationship with any of its employees, independent
contractors, suppliers or customers.

         14. Nondisclosure. Consultant will not during or at any time after the
termination of his consulting relationship with Perrigo use, divulge or convey
to others any secret or confidential information, knowledge or data of Perrigo
or that of third parties obtained by Consultant during the period of consulting
for Perrigo. Such secret or confidential information, knowledge or data
includes, but is not limited to, secrete or confidential matters:

            (a) Of a technical nature such as, but not limited to, methods,
know-how, formulas, compositions, processes, discoveries, machines, inventions,
computer programs and similar items or research projects;

            (b) Of a business nature such as, but not limited to, information
about costs, purchasing, profits, marketing, sales or lists of customers; and

            (c) Pertaining to future developments such as, but not limited to,
research and development or future marketing or merchandising.

         15. Return of Company Property. Upon termination of the Consulting
Agreement with Perrigo, or at any other time at Perrigo's request, Consultant
agrees:

            (a) To deliver promptly to Perrigo all manuals, letters, notes,
papers, books, reports, sketches, computer data or disks, files and programs,
price lists, customer files, memoranda, contracts and agreements, business and
marketing plans, product formulations, manufacturing processes, procedures and
methods (including equipment specifications and drawings), vendor lists, vendor
files, customer lists, stored or recorded documents, and all other materials and
copies thereof relating in any way to the Company Business and in any way

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obtained by Consultant during the period of employment with Perrigo which are in
Consultant's possession or under his control. Consultant further agrees that he
will not make or retain any copies of any of the foregoing and will so represent
to Perrigo upon termination of employment.

            (b) To confirm to Perrigo that all of Perrigo's computer records,
files and programs have first been turned over to Perrigo and then deleted or
erased from all computer equipment owned, leased or used by Consultant.

            (c) To return to Perrigo all personal property provided for
Consultant's use during his consulting with Perrigo including, but not limited
to, automobiles, computers and related equipment, telephones, credit cards,
security cards and identifications, keys and tools.

         16. Remedies. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that monetary damages
for his breach of any provision of this Agreement would be an inadequate remedy
and that the Company would not have an adequate remedy at law for such breach.
Accordingly, Consultant agrees that, in addition to all other rights and
remedies available to the Company to enforce its rights pursuant to this
Agreement, the Company shall, without the necessity of proving irreparable harm
or of posting a bond, be entitled to such equitable relief from any court with
proper jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, an injunction, a temporary
restraining order, or an order for specific performance, as may be necessary to
enforce or prevent a violation (whether anticipatory, continuing or future) of
any provision of this Agreement. If Consultant breaches any provision of this
Agreement, he shall pay all expenses, including court costs and actual attorney
fees, incurred by the Company in enforcing such provision.

         17. Enforceability. The unenforceability of any provision or portion of
any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the enforceability of the
remaining provisions or the remainder of any provision of this Agreement. If at
any time a court determines that any restrictive covenant contained in this
Agreement is unreasonable, the parties agree that the maximum restriction
permitted by law shall be substituted for the stated restriction and that such
substitution shall govern this Agreement as if originally part of this
Agreement.

         18. Binding Effect. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of
Perrigo hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Perrigo and
its successors and assigns.

         19. Entire Agreement Modifications. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes
all other agreements, whether oral or written, between the parties regarding
such subject matter. This Agreement may be modified or terminated only through a
written instrument signed by each of the parties.

         20. Waiver. The waiver by either party of the enforcement or the breach
of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a
subsequent or continuing waiver of the enforcement or the breach of any
provision. The failure by either party to insist upon strict compliance of any
provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of such provision. No
waiver shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the party giving the
waiver.

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         21. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be enforced, governed and
construed by the laws of the State of Michigan, regardless of the fact that
either of the parties may be or become a resident of another state.

         The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first appearing
above.

                                                     PERRIGO COMPANY

                                                     By:
                                                        ------------------------
                                                        Its:
                                                            --------------------

                                                     CONSULTANT:

                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Michael J. Jandernoa

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                               INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

         This Agreement is entered into this 2nd day of June, 2000, effective as
of May 1, 2000, by and between PERRIGO COMPANY, a Michigan corporation (the
"Company"), 515 Eastern Avenue, Allegan, Michigan 49010, and Michael J.
Jandernoa ("Indemnitee"), whose address is 2431 Belleglade S.E., Grand Rapids,
Michigan 49546.

         WHEREAS, it is essential to the Company to retain and attract as
directors and officers the most capable persons available; and

         WHEREAS, the substantial increase in corporate litigation evidenced by
present trends subjects directors and officers to expensive litigation risks at
the same time that the cost of directors' and officers' liability insurance has
steadily increased and its availability has been severely limited; and

         WHEREAS, it is now and has always been the express policy of the
Company to indemnify its directors and officers so as to provide them with the
maximum possible protection permitted by law; and

         WHEREAS, Indemnitee has terminated his employment with the Company and
his position as an officer of Company but will continue to consult with the
Company for a period of two years in order to help the new President and Chief
Executive Officer with the transition into his position; and

         WHEREAS, the Company believes it is appropriate and in the best
interest of the Company to indemnify Indemnitee in connection with the
consulting services provided by him to the Company during the two year term of
his consulting arrangement in addition to the indemnification protection now
provided to him as a director of the Company;

         WHEREAS, the Act (as defined below) permits the Company to
contractually commit itself to increase the scope of indemnification beyond the
indemnification rights provided for in the Act and the Company has determined
under the circumstances that it is reasonable and necessary and in the best
interest of the Company and its shareholders to do so in the case of Indemnitee
in order to assure an orderly transition of his duties to the Company's new
President and Chief Executive Officer during the next two years.

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

         SECTION 1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

            (a) "Act" means the Michigan Business Corporation Act in existence
on the date of this Agreement.

            (b) "Change in Control" means a change in control of the Company
after the effective date of this Agreement of a nature that would be required to
be reported in response to Item 6(e)

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of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any
similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act, whether
or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided,
however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to
have occurred if after the effective date of this Agreement (i) any "person" (as
such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act) is
or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20 percent or
more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities
without the prior approval of at least eighty percent (80%) of the members of
the Board in office immediately prior to such person attaining such percentage
interest; (ii) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets
or other reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which members
of the Board in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute
less than a majority of the Board thereafter; or (iii) during any period of two
consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted
the Board (including for this purpose any new director whose election or
nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of
at least eighty percent (80%) of the directors then still in office who were
directors at the beginning of such period) cease for any reason to constitute at
least a majority of the Board.

            (c) "Corporate Position" means the position of a person as a
director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of or as a consultant to the
Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee
benefit plan or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the
request of the Company.

            (d) "Disinterested Director" means a director of the Company who is
not and was not a party to or threatened to be made a party to the Proceeding in
respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

            (e) "Expenses" shall mean all costs, expenses, and obligations paid
or incurred in connection with investigating, litigating, being a witness in,
defending or participating in, or preparing to litigate, defend, be a witness in
or participate in any matter that is the subject of a Proceeding, including
attorneys' and accountants' fees and court costs.

            (f) "Independent Committee of the Board" means a committee of two or
more Disinterested Directors appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company
to determine the right of Indemnitee to be indemnified pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement and to act upon all other issues and matters relating to such
indemnification.

            (g) "Independent Counsel" means a law firm, or a member of a law
firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently
is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent (i) the Company
or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party, or (ii) any other
party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term "Independent Counsel" shall not include
any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then
prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company
or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee's rights under this
Agreement.

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            (h) "Independent Director" means a director of the Company
designated as an independent director pursuant to Section 450.1505(3) of the
Michigan Business Corporation Act now in effect.

            (i) "Proceeding" shall mean any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, or any inquiry or investigation, whether brought by
or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative nature, in which Indemnitee may be or may have
been involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee held
or holds a Corporate Position, or by reason of any action taken by Indemnitee or
any inaction on Indemnitee's part while acting in a Corporate Position, or by
reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the
Company in a Corporate Position of another corporation, or as a member, agent or
fiduciary of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

            (j) "Resolution Costs" shall mean any amount, fine or penalty paid
or payable by Indemnitee in satisfaction of a final judgment entered by a court
of competent jurisdiction in any Proceeding or in settlement of any such
Proceeding.

            (k) "Securities Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended from time to time.

         SECTION 2 Agreement to Serve. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a
consultant to the Company for the period and subject to the terms set forth in a
Consulting Agreement entered into on the execution date of this Agreement.

         SECTION 3 Indemnification.

            (a) In any Proceeding other than a Proceeding by or in the right of
the Company, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses and
Resolution Costs actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection
with such Proceeding. Notwithstanding the preceding but subject to Section 4
below, no indemnification shall be made under this subsection unless otherwise
determined or directed by the court in which such proceeding was brought:

                (i) with respect to remuneration paid to Indemnitee if it shall
be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that such
remuneration was in violation of law;

                (ii) on account of any suit in which a final judgment or other
final adjudication is rendered against Indemnitee for an accounting of profits
made from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company
pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act and
amendments thereto or similar provisions of any federal, state or local law;

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                (iii) on account of Indemnitee's conduct which is determined by
a final judgment or other final adjudication to have been knowingly fraudulent,
deliberately dishonest or willfully wrong;

                (iv) on account of Indemnitee's conduct which by a final
judgment or other final adjudication is determined to have been in bad faith and
in opposition to the best interests of the Company or to have produced an
unlawful personal benefit; or

                (v) with respect to a criminal proceeding if the Indemnitee knew
or reasonably should have known that Indemnitee's conduct was illegal.

            (b) The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the
provisions of this subsection (b) if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to
be made a party to or otherwise involved in any Proceeding by or in the right of
the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that
Indemnitee held or holds a Corporate Position, against all Expenses actually and
reasonably incurred by Indemnitee and any Resolution Costs paid by Indemnitee in
settlement of such Proceeding, but only if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in
a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding but subject to
Section 4 below, no indemnification shall be made under this subsection (b) in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been
finally adjudged to be liable to the Company in the performance of his duty to
the Company, unless and then only to the extent that any court in which such
proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the
adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case,
Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such amount
of Expenses as such court shall deem proper.

            (c) In addition to any indemnification provided under subsection (a)
and (b) above, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any Expenses
and/or Resolution Costs incurred by Indemnitee, regardless of the nature of the
Proceeding in which Expenses and/or Resolution Costs were incurred, if such
Expenses or Resolution Costs would have been covered under the directors' and
officers' liability insurance policies in effect on the effective date of this
Agreement or under any such insurance policies which become effective on any
subsequent date.

            (d) The indemnification contemplated by this Agreement shall be to
the fullest extent now or hereafter allowed by law (whether statutory or common
law) as presently or hereafter enacted or interpreted. In this connection, if a
change in the Act or in the statutory laws of any other state under which the
Company, or its successor, is hereafter incorporated or to which its corporate
offices are hereafter located or relocated permits greater or lesser
indemnification, either by agreement or otherwise, than currently provided by
the Act or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that
Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by
such change or prior to such change, as the case may be.

         SECTION 4 Mandatory Advancement of Expenses. Notwithstanding anything
in this Agreement expressed or implied to the contrary, the Company shall
advance all reasonable Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in
connection with any Proceeding within

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thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements
from time to time submitted by Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances,
whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement
or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and
shall include or be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of
Indemnitee to repay any Expenses advanced if it shall ultimately be determined
by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction that Indemnitee is not
entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses under this Agreement in which
event the amounts so advanced shall be repaid to the Company.

         SECTION 5 Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification
for Resolution Costs.

            (a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement for Resolution
Costs, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including such
documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is
reasonably necessary to determine pursuant to subsection (b) below whether and
to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.

            (b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant
to subsection (a) above, a determination, if required by applicable law, with
respect to Indemnitee's entitlement thereto, shall be made in each specific case
as follows:

                (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, the
determination shall be made by Independent Counsel who shall be selected in the
manner provided in Section 5(c)(ii) below. In the alternative and at
Indemnitee's sole option, Indemnitee shall have the right to direct that such
determination be made in the manner provided in the following subparagraph (ii)
of this subsection (b); and

                (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred or if
otherwise directed by Indemnitee pursuant to subsection (b)(i) above, the
determination shall be made by the Board by a majority vote of a quorum of the
Board consisting of Disinterested Directors, provided, however, that if a quorum
of the Board consisting solely of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable
then, at the option of the Board, by a majority vote of a quorum of all of the
directors (whether or not disinterested), such determination shall be made by
(A) majority vote of a committee of two or more Disinterested Directors
appointed by the Board, or (B) all Independent Directors, or (C) Independent
Counsel, or (D) the stockholders of the Company.

                If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within thirty (30) days
after such determination. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys' fees and
disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the making of such
determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination
as to Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby agrees
to indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. A determination by the
Independent Directors or Independent Counsel shall be expressed in a written
opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee.

                                       13
<PAGE>   14
            (c) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be
made by Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as
follows:

                (i) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, the
Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board, or

                (ii) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, the Independent
Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee.

                The party selecting Independent Counsel shall advise the other
party in writing of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. The
Company shall pay any and all fees and expenses incurred by such Independent
Counsel and otherwise incident to the procedures of this Section 5, regardless
of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.

         SECTION 6 Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

            (a) If a Change in Control shall have occurred, the person or
persons making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification
shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this
Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that
presumption.

            (b) If the person or persons empowered or selected to determine
whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a
determination within sixty (60) days after being selected or empowered to do so
(or within ninety (90) days thereafter, if such determination is to be made by
the stockholders), the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification
shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such
indemnification, unless such indemnification is specifically prohibited under
applicable law.

            (c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or
matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or by a plea of
nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not of itself adversely affect the
right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee
did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any
criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his
conduct was unlawful.

         SECTION 7 Remedies of Indemnitee.

            (a) The Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication of his right
to indemnification or to the advancement of Expenses, at his sole option, (i) by
the Circuit Court for the County of Kent or Allegan, State of Michigan, or any
other court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) by a

                                       14
<PAGE>   15
single arbitrator in an arbitration conducted pursuant to the rules of the
American Arbitration Association, if:

                (i) a determination has been made pursuant to Section 5 that the
Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification for Resolution Costs;

                (ii) the determination of his entitlement to indemnification is
not timely made pursuant to Section 5;

                (iii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to
Section 4; or

                (iv) payment of indemnification to which Indemnitee is entitled
under Section 9 below is not timely made or payment is not timely made after a
determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.

            The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee's right to seek any such
adjudication, whether in a court or in arbitration.

            (b) If a determination shall have been made that Indemnitee is not
entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced
pursuant to this Section 7 shall be conducted in all respects, on the merits and
Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. If a
Change in Control shall have occurred, then, in any judicial proceeding or
arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 7, the Company shall have the
burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification.

            (c) If a determination shall have been made that Indemnitee is
entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in
any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 7,
unless such indemnification is prohibited under applicable law.

            (d) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial
proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 7 that the
procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and
enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator
that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

            (e) If Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 7, seeks a judicial
adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce his rights under, or to
recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to
recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company against, any
and all expenses (of the types described in the definition of Expenses) actually
and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication or arbitration, but
only if he prevails therein. If it shall be determined in the judicial
adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not
all of the indemnification or advancement of Expenses sought, the expenses
incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial

                                       15
<PAGE>   16

adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated between the Company
and the Indemnitee.

         SECTION 8 Insurance; Subrogation.

            (a) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or
policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees,
agents or fiduciaries of or consultants to the Company or of any other
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise which such person serves in a Corporate Position at the request of
the Company (the "D & O Policy"), Indemnitee shall be covered by the D & O
Policy or Policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent
of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee or agent
under such policy or policies.

            (b) If the Company makes any payment under this Agreement, the
Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights
of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all
action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as
are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

            (c) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any
payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that
Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance
policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

         SECTION 9 Partial Indemnification; Successful Defense. If Indemnitee is
entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company
for some or a portion of the Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by
Indemnitee or for Resolution Costs but not, however, for the total amount
thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of
such Expenses or Resolution Costs to which Indemnitee is entitled.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, expressed or implied to
the contrary, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any or all claims relating in whole or in part to a
Proceeding or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including dismissal
without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred
in connection therewith.

         SECTION 10 Consent. Unless and until a Change in Control has occurred,
the Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for
any amounts paid in settlement of any Proceeding made without the Company's
written consent. Following a Change in Control, such consent shall not be
required. The Company shall not settle any Proceeding in any manner which would
impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee's written
consent. Neither the Company nor the Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold their
consent to any proposed settlement.

         SECTION 11 Indemnification Hereunder Not Exclusive. The indemnification
provided by this Agreement shall be in addition to any other rights to which
Indemnitee may be entitled under the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any
agreement, any vote of

                                       16
<PAGE>   17

shareholders or disinterested directors, the Act as amended from time to time,
or otherwise, both as to actions in Indemnitee's official capacity as a
consultant to and director of the Company and as to actions in another capacity
while holding such positions.

         SECTION 12 Severability. If this Agreement or any portion hereof
(including any provision within a single section, subsection or sentence) shall
be held to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable on any ground by any
court of competent jurisdiction, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify
Indemnitee as to any Expenses or Resolution Costs with respect to any Proceeding
to the full extent permitted by law or any applicable portion of this Agreement
that shall not have been invalidated, declared void or otherwise held to be
unenforceable.

         SECTION 13 No Presumption. For purposes of this Agreement, the
termination of any claim, action, suit or proceeding, by judgment, order,
settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a
plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that
Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any
particular belief or that a court had determined that indemnification is not
permitted by applicable law.

         SECTION 14 Notice. Indemnitee shall, as a condition precedent to
Indemnitee's right to be indemnified under this Agreement, give to the Company
notice in writing as soon as practicable of any claim for which indemnity will
or could be sought under this Agreement. Notice to the Company shall be directed
to the Company's corporate offices at 515 Eastern Avenue, Allegan, Michigan
49010, Attention: Secretary (or to such other individual or address as the
Company shall designate in writing to Indemnitee). Notice shall be deemed
received three (3) days after the date postmarked if sent by prepaid mail
properly addressed. In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such
information and cooperation as it may reasonably require and as shall be within
Indemnitee's power to give.

         SECTION 15 Continuation of Indemnification. The indemnification rights
provided to Indemnitee under this Agreement, including the right provided under
Sections 3, 4 and 5 above, shall continue after Indemnitee has ceased to hold a
Corporate Position.

         SECTION 16 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the Company, and its successors and assigns,
including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or
otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company,
and of Indemnitee and the spouse, heirs, assigns and personal and legal
representatives of Indemnitee.

         SECTION 17 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Michigan applicable to
contracts made and to be performed in such state without giving effects to the
principles of conflicts of laws.

         SECTION 18 Liability Insurance. To the extent the Company maintains an
insurance policy or policies providing directors and officers' liability
insurance, Indemnitee shall

                                       17
<PAGE>   18

be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to
the maximum extent of the coverage available for any one else who holds a
Corporate Position.

         SECTION 19 Period of Limitations. No legal action shall be brought and
no cause of action shall be asserted by or on behalf of the Company or any
affiliate of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee's spouse, heirs, assigns
or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two (2) years from
the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of
the Company or its affiliate shall be extinguished and deemed released unless
asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two (2) year period;
provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise
applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.

         SECTION 20 Amendments; Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment
of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the
parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be
deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or
not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.

                                                     COMPANY

ATTEST:                                              PERRIGO COMPANY

                                                     By
---------------------------                            -------------------------
John R. Nichols                                        David T. Gibbons
Its: Secretary                                         Its: President and CEO

                                                     INDEMNITEE

                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Michael J. Jandernoa

                                       18<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.1

===============================================================================

                                    INDENTURE

                           DATED AS OF AUGUST 14, 2000

                                     BETWEEN

                  RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP., AS ISSUER,

                                       AND

                           THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN

                                       AND

                  WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A., AS TRUSTEE

                               -------------------

                                  $130,000,000

              12-7/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2010, SERIES A

              12-7/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2010, SERIES B

===============================================================================

<PAGE>   2

                              CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Trust Indenture                                                                  Indenture
   Act Section                                                                     Section
---------------                                                                  ----------
<S>                                                                             <C>
ss. 310(a)(1)..............................................................       7.10
      (a)(2)...............................................................       7.10
      (a)(3)...............................................................       N.A.
      (a)(4)...............................................................       N.A.
      (a)(5)...............................................................       7.08, 7.10.
      (b)..................................................................       7.08; 7.10; 13.02
      (c)..................................................................       N.A.
ss. 311(a).................................................................       7.11
      (b)..................................................................       7.11
      (c)..................................................................       N.A.
ss.312(a)..................................................................       2.05
      (b)..................................................................       13.03
      (c)..................................................................       13.03
ss.313(a)..................................................................       7.06
      (b)(1)...............................................................       7.06
      (b)(2)...............................................................       7.06
      (c)..................................................................       7.06; 13.02
      (d)..................................................................       7.06
ss.314(a)..................................................................       4.11; 4.12; 13.02
      (b)..................................................................       N.A.
      (c)(1)...............................................................       13.04
      (c)(2)...............................................................       13.04
      (c)(3)...............................................................       N.A.
      (d)..................................................................       N.A.
      (e)..................................................................       13.05
      (f)..................................................................       N.A.
ss.315(a)..................................................................       7.01(b)
      (b)..................................................................       7.05; 13.02
      (c)..................................................................       7.01(a)
      (d)..................................................................       7.01(c)
      (e)..................................................................       6.11
ss.316(a)(last sentence)...................................................       2.09
      (a)(1)(A)............................................................       6.05
      (a)(1)(B)............................................................       6.04
      (a)(2)...............................................................       N.A.
      (b)..................................................................       6.07
      (c)..................................................................       10.04
ss.317(a)(1)...............................................................       6.08
      (a)(2)...............................................................       6.09
      (b)..................................................................       2.04
ss.318(a)..................................................................       13.01
</TABLE>

----------------
N.A. means Not Applicable.
NOTE: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
      part of the Indenture.

<PAGE>   3

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                            Page
                                                                                                            ----
<S>                 <C>                                                                                     <C>
                                                ARTICLE ONE

                                   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01.       DEFINITIONS...............................................................................1
SECTION 1.02.       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT........................................19
SECTION 1.03.       RULES OF CONSTRUCTION....................................................................19

                                                ARTICLE TWO

                                               THE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01.       FORM AND DATING..........................................................................20
SECTION 2.02.       EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.............................................................22
SECTION 2.03.       REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT...............................................................24
SECTION 2.04.       PAYING AGENT TO HOLD ASSETS IN TRUST.....................................................25
SECTION 2.05.       SECURITYHOLDER LISTS.....................................................................25
SECTION 2.06.       TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE....................................................................25
SECTION 2.07.       REPLACEMENT SECURITIES...................................................................30
SECTION 2.08.       OUTSTANDING SECURITIES...................................................................31
SECTION 2.09.       TREASURY SECURITIES......................................................................31
SECTION 2.10.       TEMPORARY SECURITIES.....................................................................31
SECTION 2.11.       CANCELLATION.............................................................................31
SECTION 2.12.       DEFAULTED INTEREST.......................................................................32
SECTION 2.13.       CUSIP NUMBER.............................................................................32
SECTION 2.14.       DEPOSIT OF MONEYS........................................................................32

                                               ARTICLE THREE

                                                 REDEMPTION

SECTION 3.01.       NOTICES TO TRUSTEE.......................................................................32
SECTION 3.02.       SELECTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED...................................................32
SECTION 3.03.       NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.....................................................................33
SECTION 3.04.       EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION...........................................................34
SECTION 3.05.       DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE..............................................................34
SECTION 3.06.       SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART..............................................................34
SECTION 3.07.       MANDATORY REDEMPTION.....................................................................34

</TABLE>

                                      -i-
<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                            Page
                                                                                                            ----
<S>                 <C>                                                                                     <C>
SECTION 3.08.       OFFER TO PURCHASE BY APPLICATION OF ASSET SALE OFFER AMOUNT..............................34

                                               ARTICLE FOUR

                                                COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01.       PAYMENT OF SECURITIES....................................................................36
SECTION 4.02.       MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY..........................................................36
SECTION 4.03.       TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.............................................................37
SECTION 4.04.       LIMITATION ON INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK.................38
SECTION 4.05.       LIMITATION ON CERTAIN ASSET SALES........................................................41
SECTION 4.06.       LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS........................................................43
SECTION 4.07.       CORPORATE EXISTENCE......................................................................45
SECTION 4.08.       PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER CLAIMS........................................................46
SECTION 4.09.       NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.......................................................................46
SECTION 4.10.       MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES AND INSURANCE..................................................46
SECTION 4.11.       COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE...................................................................47
SECTION 4.12.       PROVISION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION.......................................................47
SECTION 4.13.       WAIVER OF STAY, EXTENSION OR USURY LAWS..................................................47
SECTION 4.14.       CHANGE OF CONTROL........................................................................48
SECTION 4.15.       LIMITATION ON SENIOR SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS...........................................50
SECTION 4.16.       LIMITATIONS ON DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.50
SECTION 4.17.       DESIGNATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES..................................51
SECTION 4.18.       LIMITATION ON LIENS......................................................................51
SECTION 4.19.       ADDITIONAL SECURITY GUARANTEES...........................................................52
SECTION 4.20.       BUSINESS ACTIVITIES......................................................................52
SECTION 4.21.       PAYMENTS FOR CONSENT.....................................................................52

                                                ARTICLE FIVE

                                        MERGERS; SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

SECTION 5.01.       MERGERS, CONSOLIDATION AND SALE OF ASSETS................................................53
SECTION 5.02.       SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED........................................................54

                                                ARTICLE SIX

                                      EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01.       EVENTS OF DEFAULT........................................................................54
SECTION 6.02.       ACCELERATION.............................................................................56
SECTION 6.03.       OTHER REMEDIES...........................................................................57

</TABLE>

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                            Page
                                                                                                            ----
<S>                 <C>                                                                                     <C>
SECTION 6.04.       WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULT...................................................................57
SECTION 6.05.       CONTROL BY MAJORITY......................................................................57
SECTION 6.06.       LIMITATION ON SUITS......................................................................58
SECTION 6.07.       RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT.....................................................58
SECTION 6.08.       COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE...............................................................58
SECTION 6.09.       TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.........................................................59
SECTION 6.10.       PRIORITIES...............................................................................59
SECTION 6.11.       UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS....................................................................59

                                               ARTICLE SEVEN

                                                 TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01.       DUTIES OF TRUSTEE........................................................................60
SECTION 7.02.       RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE........................................................................61
SECTION 7.03.       INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.............................................................62
SECTION 7.04.       TRUSTEE'S DISCLAIMER.....................................................................62
SECTION 7.05.       NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.......................................................................62
SECTION 7.06.       REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS............................................................62
SECTION 7.07.       COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY...............................................................63
SECTION 7.08.       REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE...................................................................64
SECTION 7.09.       SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC.........................................................64
SECTION 7.10.       ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION............................................................65
SECTION 7.11.       PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY........................................65

                                               ARTICLE EIGHT

                                       SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 8.01.       SECURITIES SUBORDINATED TO SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS...........................................65
SECTION 8.02.       NO PAYMENT ON SECURITIES IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES........................................65
SECTION 8.03.       PAYMENT OVER OF PROCEEDS UPON DISSOLUTION, ETC...........................................66
SECTION 8.04.       SUBROGATION..............................................................................67
SECTION 8.05.       OBLIGATIONS OF COMPANY UNCONDITIONAL.....................................................67
SECTION 8.06.       NOTICE TO TRUSTEE........................................................................68
SECTION 8.07.       RELIANCE ON JUDICIAL ORDER OR CERTIFICATE OF LIQUIDATING AGENT...........................68
SECTION 8.08.       TRUSTEE'S RELATION TO SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS................................................69
SECTION 8.09.       SUBORDINATION RIGHTS NOT IMPAIRED BY ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF THE COMPANY OR HOLDERS
                      OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.................................................................69

SECTION 8.10.       SECURITYHOLDERS AUTHORIZE TRUSTEE TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES..............69
SECTION 8.11.       THIS ARTICLE NOT TO PREVENT EVENTS OF DEFAULT............................................69
SECTION 8.12.       TRUSTEE'S COMPENSATION NOT PREJUDICED....................................................70
SECTION 8.13.       NO WAIVER OF SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS....................................................70

</TABLE>

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>   6

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                            Page
                                                                                                            ----
<S>                 <C>                                                                                     <C>
SECTION 8.14.       SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS NOT APPLICABLE TO COLLATERAL HELD IN TRUST FOR
                      SECURITYHOLDERS; PAYMENTS MAY BE PAID PRIOR TO DISSOLUTION.............................70

SECTION 8.15.       ACCELERATION OF SECURITIES...............................................................70

                                               ARTICLE NINE

                                   DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

SECTION 9.01.       DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE...................................................................71
SECTION 9.02.       LEGAL DEFEASANCE.........................................................................71
SECTION 9.03.       COVENANT DEFEASANCE......................................................................71
SECTION 9.04.       CONDITIONS TO LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE....................................72
SECTION 9.05.       DEPOSITED MONEY AND GOVERNMENT SECURITIES TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER
                      MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS...............................................................73

SECTION 9.06.       REINSTATEMENT............................................................................74
SECTION 9.07.       MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENT..............................................................74
SECTION 9.08.       MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE...................................................................74

                                               ARTICLE TEN

                                 AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

SECTION 10.01.      WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS...............................................................75
SECTION 10.02.      WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS..................................................................75
SECTION 10.03.      COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT......................................................77
SECTION 10.04.      REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS........................................................77
SECTION 10.05.      NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES....................................................77
SECTION 10.06.      TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC..........................................................78

                                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN

                                                   GUARANTEE

SECTION 11.01.      UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE..................................................................78
SECTION 11.02.      SEVERABILITY.............................................................................79
SECTION 11.03.      LIMITATION OF GUARANTOR'S LIABILITY......................................................79
SECTION 11.04.      SUBORDINATION OF SUBROGATION AND OTHER RIGHTS............................................79
SECTION 11.05.      DELIVERY OF GUARANTEE....................................................................79

</TABLE>

                                      -iv-
<PAGE>   7
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                            Page
                                                                                                            ----
<S>                 <C>                                                                                     <C>
                                               ARTICLE TWELVE

                                        SUBORDINATION OF GUARANTEE

SECTION 12.01.      GUARANTEE OBLIGATIONS SUBORDINATED TO GUARANTOR SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS......................79
SECTION 12.02.      NO PAYMENT ON GUARANTEE IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.........................................80
SECTION 12.03.      PAYMENT OVER OF PROCEEDS UPON DISSOLUTION, ETC...........................................80
SECTION 12.04.      SUBROGATION..............................................................................81
SECTION 12.05.      OBLIGATIONS OF GUARANTOR UNCONDITIONAL...................................................82
SECTION 12.06.      NOTICE TO TRUSTEE........................................................................82
SECTION 12.07.      RELIANCE ON JUDICIAL ORDER OR CERTIFICATE OF LIQUIDATING AGENT...........................83
SECTION 12.08.      TRUSTEE'S RELATION TO GUARANTOR SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS......................................83
SECTION 12.09.      SUBORDINATION RIGHTS NOT IMPAIRED BY ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF THE GUARANTOR OR HOLDERS OF
                      GUARANTOR SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS..........................................................83
SECTION 12.10.      SECURITYHOLDERS AUTHORIZE TRUSTEE TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION OF GUARANTEE...............84
SECTION 12.11.      THIS ARTICLE NOT TO PREVENT EVENTS OF DEFAULT............................................84
SECTION 12.12.      TRUSTEE'S COMPENSATION NOT PREJUDICED....................................................84
SECTION 12.13.      NO WAIVER OF GUARANTEE SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS..........................................84
SECTION 12.14.      SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS NOT APPLICABLE TO COLLATERAL HELD IN TRUST FOR SECURITYHOLDERS;
                      PAYMENTS MAY BE PAID PRIOR TO DISSOLUTION..............................................84

                                              ARTICLE THIRTEEN

                                               MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 13.01.      TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS.............................................................85
SECTION 13.02.      NOTICES..................................................................................85
SECTION 13.03.      COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS.............................................86
SECTION 13.04.      CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.......................................86
SECTION 13.05.      STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION............................................87
SECTION 13.06.      RULES BY TRUSTEE, PAYING AGENT, REGISTRAR................................................87
SECTION 13.07.      GOVERNING LAW............................................................................87
SECTION 13.08.      NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS...............................................................87
SECTION 13.09.      SUCCESSORS...............................................................................88
SECTION 13.10.      COUNTERPART ORIGINALS....................................................................88
SECTION 13.11.      SEVERABILITY.............................................................................88
SECTION 13.12.      NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS............................................88
SECTION 13.13.      LEGAL HOLIDAYS...........................................................................88

</TABLE>

                                      -v-
<PAGE>   8

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                            Page
                                                                                                            ----
<S>                 <C>                                                                                     <C>
SIGNATURES..................................................................................................S-1

EXHIBIT A         Form of Series A Security.................................................................A-1
EXHIBIT B         Form of Series B Security.................................................................B-1
EXHIBIT C         Form of Legend for Global Securities......................................................C-1
EXHIBIT D         Form of Transfer Certificate..............................................................D-1
EXHIBIT E         Form of certification to be given by the holders of beneficial interest in a temporary
                   Regulation S global security to Euroclear or Clearstream.................................E-1

EXHIBIT F         Form of certification to be given by Euroclear operator or Clearstream Banking,
                    Societe Anonyme, Luxembourg.............................................................F-1

EXHIBIT G         Form of certification to be given by transferee of beneficial interest in a temporary
                    Regulation S global security............................................................G-1

EXHIBIT H         Form of certification for transfer or exchange of restricted global security to
                    permanent Regulation S global security..................................................H-1

EXHIBIT I         Form of certification for transfer or exchange of temporary Regulation S global
                    security or permanent Regulation S global security to restricted global security........I-1

EXHIBIT J-1       Form of certification for transfer or exchange of non-global restricted security to
                    restricted global security.............................................................J-1-1

EXHIBIT J-2       Form of certification for transfer or exchange of non-global restricted security to
                    permanent Regulation S global security or temporary Regulation S global security.......J-2-1

EXHIBIT K-1       Form of certification for transfer or exchange of non-global permanent Regulation S
                    security to restricted global security.................................................K-1-2

EXHIBIT K-2       Form of certification for transfer or exchange of non-global permanent Regulation S
                    security to permanent Regulation S global security.....................................K-2-1
</TABLE>

-----------------

NOTE: This Table of Contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part
      of the Indenture.

                                      -iv-
<PAGE>   9

                  INDENTURE dated as of August 14, 2000, between RailAmerica
Transportation Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), a subsidiary of
RailAmerica, Inc. ("RAILAMERICA"), the Guarantors set forth on the signature
page hereof, (the "GUARANTORS") and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., a National
Banking Association, as trustee (the "TRUSTEE").

                  Each party hereto agrees as follows for the benefit of each
other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the
Securities:

                                   ARTICLE ONE

                   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01. DEFINITIONS.

                  "ACQUIRED INDEBTEDNESS" means, with respect to any specified
Person, (i) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time that other
Person is merged with or into or becomes a Subsidiary of that specified Person,
including, without limitation, Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in
contemplation of, that other Person merging with or into or becoming a
Subsidiary of that specified Person; and (ii) Indebtedness secured by a Lien
encumbering an asset acquired by that specified Person at the time that asset is
acquired by that specified Person.

                  "AFFILIATE" of any specified Person means any other Person
which, directly or indirectly, controls or is controlled by or is under direct
or indirect common control with, that specified Person. For purposes of this
definition, "control," when used with respect to any Person, means the power to
direct the management and policies of that Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise,
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

                  "AFFILIATE TRANSACTION" see Section 4.03.

                  "AGENT" means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar.

                  "AGENT MEMBER" means any member of, or participant in, the
Depositary.

                  "ALTERNATE OFFER" see Section 4.14.

                  "APPLICABLE PROCEDURES" see Section 2.06(g).

                  "ASSET SALE" means: (i) the sale, lease (other than operating
leases entered into in the ordinary course of business), conveyance, disposition
or other transfer (a "DISPOSITION") of any properties, assets or rights
(including, without limitation, by way of a sale and leaseback); PROVIDED that
the sale, lease, conveyance or other Disposition of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed
by the provisions of this Indenture described under Section 4.14 and/or the
provisions described under Section 5.01 and not by the provisions of Section
4.05; and (ii) the issuance, sale or transfer by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests of any of the Company's Restricted
Subsidiaries, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii), whether in a single
transaction or a series of related transactions (a) that have a fair market
value in excess of $2.5 million; or (b) for Net Proceeds in excess of $2.5
million.

<PAGE>   10
                                      -2-

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following items shall not be deemed to be
Asset Sales: (i) a Disposition of assets by the Company to a Restricted
Subsidiary or by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted
Subsidiary; (ii) a Disposition of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to
the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary; (iii) the sale or other
Disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents; (iv) foreclosures on assets; (v) any
sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an
Unrestricted Subsidiary; (vi) for purposes of the provisions of this Indenture
described under Section 4.05 only, a Permitted Investment or a Restricted
Payment that is permitted under Section 4.06; (vii) any exchange of like
property pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, for use in a Permitted Business; (viii) sales of damaged, worn-out or
obsolete equipment or assets that, in the Company's reasonable judgment, are no
longer either used or useful in the business of the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries; and (ix) Permitted Contributions.

                  "ASSET SALE OFFER" see Section 4.05.

                  "ASSET SALE OFFER AMOUNT" see Section 4.05.

                  "BANKRUPTCY LAW" see Section 6.01.

                  "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means the Company's board of directors or
any authorized committee of such board of directors.

                  "BOOK-ENTRY SECURITY" means a Security represented by a Global
Security and registered in the name of the nominee of the Depository.

                  "BUSINESS DAY" means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday)
on which the Depository and banks in New York, and banks in the city in which
the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located, are open for business.

                  "CAPITAL EXPENDITURE INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness incurred
by any Person to finance the purchase or construction of any property or assets
acquired or constructed by that Person which have a useful life of more than one
year so long as (i) the purchase or construction price for that property or
assets is included in "addition to property, plant or equipment" in accordance
with GAAP; (ii) the acquisition or construction of that property or assets is
not part of any acquisition of a Person or line of business; and (iii) that
Indebtedness is incurred within 90 days of the acquisition or completion of
construction of that property or assets.

                  "CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATION" means, at the time any
determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a
capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance
sheet in accordance with GAAP.

                  "CAPITAL STOCK" means: (i) in the case of a corporation, any
and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however
designated and whether or not voting) of corporate stock; (ii) in the case of an
association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations,
rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; (iii) in
the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or
membership interests (whether general or limited); and (iv) any other interest
or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the
profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

                  "CASH EQUIVALENTS" means: (i) Government Securities; (ii) any
certificate of deposit maturing not more than 365 days after the date of
acquisition issued by, or demand deposit or time deposit of, an Eligible

<PAGE>   11
                                      -3-

Institution; (iii) commercial paper maturing not more than 365 days after the
date of acquisition of an issuer (other than an Affiliate of the Company) with a
rating, at the time as of which any investment therein is made, of "A-3" (or
higher) according to S&P or "P-2 (or higher) according to Moody's or carrying an
equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency if both of the two
named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of investments; (iv) any bankers'
acceptances of money market deposit accounts issued by an Eligible Institution;
and (v) any fund investing exclusively in investments of the types described in
clauses (i) through (iv) above.

                  "CERTIFICATED SECURITIES" see Section 2.01.

                  "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means the occurrence of any of the
following: (i) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other
Disposition, other than by way of merger or consolidation, in one or a series of
related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any "person" or "group" (as those
terms are used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act); (ii) the adoption of a
plan for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or RailAmerica (whether
or not otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture); (iii) the
Company or RailAmerica becoming aware of (by way of a report or any other filing
pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy vote, written notice or
otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or related group (within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor
provision to either of the foregoing, including any "group" acting for the
purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of
Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than a Permitted Holder, in a
single transaction or in a series of related transactions, by way of merger,
consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor
provision), directly or indirectly, of 40% or more of the total voting power
entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of the Company or of
such other Person surviving the transaction; or (iv) the first day on which a
majority of the members of the board of directors of RailAmerica are not
Continuing Members.

                  "CHANGE OF CONTROL OFFER" see Section 4.14.

                  "CHANGE OF CONTROL PAYMENT" see Section 4.14.

                  "CHANGE OF CONTROL PAYMENT DATE" see Section 4.14.

                  "CHANGE OF CONTROL TRIGGER DATE" see Section 4.14.

                  "CLEARSTREAM" means Clearstream Banking, Societe Anonyme,
Luxembourg (or any successor securities clearing agency).

                  "CLOSING DATE" means the date the Securities are first issued
by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee under this Indenture.

                  "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Act of 1984, as amended.

                  "COMMISSION" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                  "COMPANY" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first
paragraph of this Indenture until a successor shall have become such pursuant to
the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean
such successor.

<PAGE>   12
                                      -4-

                  "COMPANY REQUEST" or "COMPANY ORDER" means a written request
or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its
Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer, a Vice
President or its Treasurer, and by an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

                  "CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW" means, with respect to any specified
Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such
period, PLUS (i) an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss
realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with
an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such
Consolidated Net Income; PLUS (ii) provision for taxes based on income or
profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the
extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated
Net Income; PLUS (iii) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or
not capitalized (including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance
costs and original issue discount, noncash interest payments, the interest
component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all
payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and
other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers'
acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received
pursuant to Hedging Obligations), to the extent that any such expense was
deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; PLUS (iv) depreciation,
amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles, but
excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior
period) and other noncash expenses (excluding any such noncash expense to the
extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any
future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior
period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the
extent that such depreciation, amortization and other noncash expenses were
deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; MINUS (v) noncash items or
nonrecurring items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period,
other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business, in each
case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

                  "CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE" means, with respect to any
Person for any period, the sum of, without duplication, (i) the interest expense
of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a
consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP (including, without
limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount on
any Indebtedness, all non-cash interest payments, the interest component of all
payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and
other fees and charges incurred in respect of letters of credit or bankers'
acceptance financings, and net payments, if any, pursuant to Hedging
Obligations) plus, in the case of the Company, the interest expense of
RailAmerica relating to its 6% junior convertible subordinated debentures due
2004; (ii) the consolidated capitalized interest of the Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for that period, whether paid or accrued; and (iii) any
interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such
Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of
such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee
or Lien is called upon.

                  "CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" means, with respect to any Person
for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of that Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for that period, on a consolidated basis, determined in
accordance with GAAP; PROVIDED that (i) the Net Income of any Person that is not
a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of
accounting shall be excluded except that: (a) the Company's equity in the net
income of any such Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated
Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such
Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a
dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other
distribution made to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in
clause (ii) below) and (b) the Company's equity

<PAGE>   13
                                      -5-

in a net loss of any such Person for such period shall be included in
determining such Consolidated Net Income; (ii) the Net Income of any Restricted
Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of
dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net
Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior
governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly,
by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, contract, instrument,
judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to
that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders except that the Company's equity
in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be
included in determining such Consolidated Net Income; (iii) unrealized gains or
losses due solely to fluctuations in currency values and the related tax effects
according to GAAP shall be excluded; (iv) the Net Income of any Person acquired
in a pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to the date of that
acquisition shall be excluded; (v) one-time noncash charges recorded in
accordance with GAAP resulting from any merger, recapitalization or acquisition
transaction shall be excluded; (vi) the cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principles shall be excluded; and (vii) the restoration to income of
any contingency reserve, except to the extent that provision for such reserve
was made out of Consolidated Net Income accrued at any time following the
Closing Date.

                  "CONTINUING MEMBERS" means, as of any date of determination,
any member of the board of directors of RailAmerica, as the case may be, who:
(i) was a member of RailAmerica's board of directors, as the case may be, at the
date of this Indenture; or (ii) was nominated for election or elected to
RailAmerica's Board of Directors, as the case may be, with the approval of, or
whose election to the Board of Directors was ratified by, at least a majority of
the Continuing Members who were members of RailAmerica's Board of Directors, as
the case may be, at the time of that nomination or election.

                  "CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE OF THE TRUSTEE" shall be at the
address of the Trustee specified in Section 13.02 or such other address as the
Trustee may give notice to the Company.

                  "COVENANT DEFEASANCE OPTION" see Section 9.03.

                  "CUSTODIAN" see Section 6.01.

                  "DEFAULT" means any event that is, or after the giving of
notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

                  "DEFEASANCE TRUST" see Section 9.04.

                  "DEPOSITORY" means, with respect to the Securities issued in
the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC")
or another Person designated as Depository by the Company, which must be a
clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act.

                  "DEPOSITORY SECURITIES CERTIFICATION" see Section 2.01.

                  "DESIGNATED GUARANTOR SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" means (i) the
guarantee by the Guarantors of any Indebtedness outstanding under the Senior
Credit Facility and (ii) any other Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of the
Guarantors the principal amount of which is $25,000,000 or more.

                  "DESIGNATED SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" means (i) any Indebtedness
outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility at any time and (ii) following the
payment in full in cash of all Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility and
the permanent termination of all commitments thereunder, any other Senior
Indebtedness

<PAGE>   14
                                      -6-

permitted under this Indenture the principal amount of which is $25 million or
more and that has been designated by the Company as "Designated Senior
Indebtedness."

                  "DISPOSITION" see definition of Asset Sale.

                  "DISQUALIFIED STOCK" means any Capital Stock that, by its
terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for
which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event (other than any
event solely within the control of the issuer thereof), matures or is
mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or
is exchangeable for Indebtedness (except to the extent exchangeable at the
option of that Person subject to the terms of any debt instrument to which that
Person is a party) or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole
or in part, on or prior to the date on which the Securities mature; PROVIDED
that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because
the holders thereof have the right to require the Company to repurchase that
Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale shall
not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of that Capital Stock provide
that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to
those provisions unless that repurchase or redemption complies with the covenant
described under Section 4.06; and PROVIDED FURTHER, that, if that Capital Stock
is issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or its
Subsidiaries or by any such plan to those employees, that Capital Stock shall
not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be
repurchased by the Company in order to satisfy applicable statutory or
regulatory obligations.

                  "DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY" means a Subsidiary that is organized
under the laws of the United States or any State, district or territory thereof.

                  "ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION" means a commercial banking institution
organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or
the District of Columbia or any U.S. branch of a foreign bank that has combined
capital and surplus not less than $500.0 million or its equivalent in foreign
currency, whose short-term debt is rated "A-3" or higher according to Standard &
Poor's Rating Group ("S&P") or "P-2" or higher according to Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("MOODY'S") or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally
recognized rating agency if both of the two named rating agencies cease
publishing ratings of investments.

                  "EQUITY INTERESTS" means Capital Stock and all warrants,
options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt
security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

                  "EQUITY OFFERING" means (i) any issuance of Equity Interests,
other than Disqualified Stock, by the Company, and (ii) any issuance of Equity
Interests by RailAmerica to the extent of proceeds that are received by the
Company as a contribution to the common equity of the Company, excluding
issuances of common stock pursuant to employee benefit plans of the Company or
otherwise as compensation to employees of the Company.

                  "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended.

                  "EUROCLEAR" means the Euroclear Clearance System (or any
successor securities clearing agency).

                  "EVENT OF DEFAULT" see Section 6.01.

                  "EXCESS PROCEEDS" see Section 4.05.

<PAGE>   15
                                      -7-

                  "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder.

                  "EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Senior Credit
Facility) in existence on the date of this Indenture, until those amounts are
repaid.

                  "FINAL MATURITY DATE" means August 15, 2010.

                  "FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" means, with respect to any
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for any period, the ratio of the
Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period to the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases or redeems any
Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues,
repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the
period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or
prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the "CALCULATION DATE"), then the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence,
assumption, guarantee, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or
such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the
proceeds therefrom as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the
applicable reference period. In addition, for the purposes of making the
computation referred to above: (i) acquisitions that have been made by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or
consolidations and including any related financing transactions and Asset Sales,
during the applicable period or subsequent to such applicable period and on or
prior to the Calculation Date shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day
of the reference period, and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for such period
shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to any such acquisitions and
Asset Sales and Consolidated Cash Flow for such period shall be calculated
without giving effect to clause (iv) of the proviso set forth in the definition
of Consolidated Net Income; and (ii) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to
discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations
of businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date shall be excluded; and
(iii) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined
in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of or prior to
the Calculation Date, shall be excluded, but only to the extent that the
obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the
specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation
Date. For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given
to an acquisition of assets, the amount of income or earnings relating thereto
and the amount of Consolidated Interest Expense associated with any Indebtedness
incurred in connection therewith, the pro forma calculations shall be determined
in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

                  "FIXED CHARGES" means, with respect to any specified Person
for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (i) the Consolidated Interest
Expense of such Person; PLUS (ii) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid
or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Preferred Stock of such
Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and in the case of the Company,
all such dividends with respect to Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of
RailAmerica), other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity
Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), times (b) a fraction,
the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then
current combined effective federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such
Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in
accordance with GAAP.

                  "FOREIGN CREDIT FACILITY" means a working capital facility
available to a Foreign Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED that the Indebtedness
incurred under such facility is denominated and payable in U.S.

<PAGE>   16
                                      -8-

dollars or the local currencies of the jurisdictions of the operations of the
Foreign Restricted Subsidiary incurring such Indebtedness.

                  "FOREIGN RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means a Restricted Subsidiary
whose jurisdiction of incorporation or formation is other than the United
States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

                  "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set
forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of
the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other
statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment
of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

                  "GLOBAL SECURITY" means a security evidencing all or a portion
of the Securities issued to the Depository or its nominee in accordance with
Section 2.01 and bearing the legend set forth in EXHIBIT C hereto.

                  "GOVERNMENT SECURITIES" means marketable direct obligations
issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States government or, in
the case of Investments held by a Foreign Restricted Subsidiary, the government
of the country in which such Foreign Restricted Subsidiary was incorporated or
formed, or issued by any agency or instrumentality thereof and backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States or such other country, in each case
maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof.

                  "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means the government of the United
States, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or
local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court,
central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial,
taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to
government.

                  "GUARANTEE" means a Guarantee (other than by endorsement of
negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business),
direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of
credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of
any Indebtedness.

                  "GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS" see Section 11.01.

                  "GUARANTOR SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" means, with respect to the
Guarantors, the Guarantors' Guarantee of RailAmerica's obligations under the
Senior Credit Facility and any other Indebtedness of the Guarantors (including,
without limitation, in the case of Palm Beach Rail Holding, Inc., Indebtedness
evidenced by the asset sale bridge notes issued on February 4, 2000) (other than
as otherwise provided in this definition), whether outstanding on the issue date
or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, unless, in the case of any
particular Indebtedness, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or
pursuant to which the same is outstanding expressly provides that such
Indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to the Guarantee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, "Guarantor Senior Indebtedness" will not include
(i) Indebtedness evidenced by the Guarantee of the Securities; (ii) Indebtedness
of the Guarantors that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other
Indebtedness of the Guarantors; (iii) Indebtedness of the Guarantors which, when
incurred and without respect to any other election under Section 1111(b) of
Title 11, United States Code, is without recourse to the Guarantors; (iv)
Indebtedness which is represented by Disqualified Stock of the Guarantors; (v)
any liability for foreign, federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by
the Guarantors; (vi) Indebtedness of the Guarantors to a Subsidiary or any other
Affiliate of the Guarantors or any of such Affiliate's subsidiaries; (vii) that
portion of any Indebtedness which, when incurred, is issued in violation of this
Indenture; and (viii) trade payables owed or owing by the Guarantors.

<PAGE>   17
                                      -9-

                  "GUARANTORS" means (i) RailAmerica, (ii) Palm Beach Rail
Holding, Inc., (iii) each Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of the date of
this Indenture that is a Domestic Subsidiary and (iv) any other Subsidiary that
executes a guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

                  "GUARANTOR PAYMENT BLOCKAGE PERIOD" see Section 12.02(a).

                  "GUARANTOR PAYMENT BLOCKAGE NOTICE" see Section 12.02(a).

                  "HEDGING OBLIGATIONS" means, with respect to any Person, the
Obligations of such Person under (i) interest rate swap agreements, interest
rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements, and (ii) other
agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations,
or otherwise to establish financial hedges in respect of, exchange rates,
currency rates, commodity prices or interest rates.

                  "HOLDER," "HOLDER OF SECURITIES," "SECURITYHOLDERS" or other
similar terms mean the registered holder of any Security.

                  "INDEBTEDNESS" means, with respect to any Person, any
indebtedness of that Person in respect of borrowed money or evidenced by bonds,
notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement
agreements in respect thereof) or bankers' acceptances or representing Capital
Lease Obligations or the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of
any property or representing any Hedging Obligations, except any such balance
that constitutes an accrued expense, trade payable or customer contract advance,
if and to the extent any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of
credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet
of that Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as all Indebtedness of
others secured by a Lien on any asset of that Person (whether or not that
Indebtedness is assumed by that Person) and, to the extent not otherwise
included, the Guarantee by that Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person
and all Disqualified Stock issued by such Person with the amount of Indebtedness
represented by such Disqualified Stock being equal to the greater of its
voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference and its maximum fixed repurchase
price, but excluding accrued dividends, if any. For purposes hereof, the
"maximum fixed repurchase price" of any Disqualified Stock which does not have a
fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such
Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were purchased on any date on
which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this
Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market
value of such Disqualified Stock, such fair market value shall be determined
reasonably and in good faith by the Board of Directors of the issuer of such
Disqualified Stock. The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date
shall be: (i) the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness that
does not require current payments of interest; and (ii) the principal amount
thereof (together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due),
in the case of any other Indebtedness.

                  "INDENTURE" means this Indenture as amended or supplemented
from time to time.

                  "INDIRECT PARTICIPANT" means a person who holds a beneficial
interest in a Global Security through a participant of DTC, Euroclear or
Clearstream.

                  "INITIAL PURCHASERS" means Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation, Barclays Bank PLC and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.

                  "INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR" means an institution that
is an "accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3)
or (7) under the Securities Act.

<PAGE>   18
                                      -10-

                  "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE" means each semiannual interest payment
date on August 15 and February 15 of each year, commencing February 15, 2001.

                  "INTEREST RECORD DATE" for the interest payable on any
Interest Payment Date (except a date for payment of defaulted interest) means
the August 1 or February 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be,
immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

                  "INVESTMENTS" means, with respect to any Person, all
investments by that Person in other Persons, including Affiliates, in the forms
of direct or indirect loans (including guarantees by the referent Person of, and
liens on any assets of the referent Person securing, Indebtedness or other
obligations of other Persons), advances or capital contributions (excluding (i)
commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the
ordinary course of business and (ii) extensions of trade credit on commercially
reasonable terms in accordance with normal trade practices), purchases or other
acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other
securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as
investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; PROVIDED that
an investment by the Company for consideration consisting of common equity
securities of the Company shall not be deemed to be an Investment. If
RailAmerica or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise
disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition,
that Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company shall be
deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition
equal to the fair market value of the Equity Interests of that Restricted
Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the
final three paragraphs of Section 4.06.

                  "ISSUE" means create, issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or
otherwise become directly or indirectly liable for any Indebtedness or Capital
Stock, as applicable; PROVIDED that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a
Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether
by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be issued
by such Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary.
For this definition, the terms "issuing," "issuer," "issuance" and "issued" have
meanings correlative to the foregoing.

                  "LEGAL DEFEASANCE OPTION" see Section 9.02.

                  "LIEN" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien,
pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such
asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable
law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any
lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a
security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing
statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any
jurisdiction).

                  "LIQUIDATED DAMAGES" has the meaning provided in the
Registration Rights Agreement.

                  "NET INCOME" means, with respect to any Person, the net income
(loss) of that Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any
reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however (i) any
gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on that gain (or
loss), realized in connection with (a) any Asset Sale, including, without
limitation, dispositions pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions; or (b) the
extinguishment of any Indebtedness of that Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; and (ii) any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (or loss),
together with any related provision for taxes on that extraordinary or
nonrecurring gain (or loss).

<PAGE>   19
                                      -11-

                  "NET PROCEEDS" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale
(including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other
disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of,
without duplication, (i) the direct costs relating to that Asset Sale,
including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees,
and sales commissions, recording fees, title transfer fees and appraiser fees
and cost of preparation of assets for sale, and any relocation expenses incurred
as a result thereof; (ii) taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after
taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing
arrangements); (iii) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of
Indebtedness (other than revolving credit Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the
Senior Credit Facility) secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the
subject of that Asset Sale; and (iv) any reserve established in accordance with
GAAP or any amount placed in escrow, in either case for adjustment in respect of
the sale price of such asset or assets until such time as that reserve is
reversed or that escrow arrangement is terminated, in which case Net Proceeds
shall include only the amount of the reserve so reversed or the amount returned
to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries from that escrow arrangement, as
the case may be.

                  "NEW YORK PRESENTING AGENT" see Section 4.02.

                  "NON-GLOBAL PERMANENT REGULATION S SECURITY" see Section 2.01.

                  "NON-RECOURSE DEBT" means Indebtedness (i) no default with
respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take
enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon
notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other
Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to
its stated maturity; and (ii) as to which the lenders have been notified in
writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock (other than the stock
of an Unrestricted Subsidiary pledged by the Company to secure debt of that
Unrestricted Subsidiary) or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; PROVIDED that in no event shall Indebtedness of any Unrestricted
Subsidiary fail to be Non-Recourse Debt solely as a result of any Default
provisions contained in a guarantee thereof by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries if the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary was
otherwise permitted to incur that Guarantee pursuant to this Indenture.

                  "NON-U.S. PERSON" means a Person who is not a U.S. Person, as
defined in Regulation S.

                  "OBLIGATIONS" means, with respect to any Indebtedness, any
principal, interest, premiums, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursement
obligations, damages and other liabilities payable to the holder of such
Indebtedness under the documentation governing such Indebtedness.

                  "OFFER PERIOD" see Section 3.08.

                  "OFFERING" means the offering of the Securities by the
Company.

                  "OFFICER" means the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, or the Secretary of
the Company.

                  "OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" means, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice
President and the Chief Financial Officer or any Treasurer of such Person that
shall comply with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

<PAGE>   20
                                      -12-

                  "OPINION OF COUNSEL" means a written opinion from legal
counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an
employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.

                  "OTHER COMPANY INDEBTEDNESS GUARANTEE" see Section 4.19.

                  "OWNER SECURITIES CERTIFICATION" see Section 2.01.

                  "PARI PASSU INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness of the Company
that ranks equally in right of payment to the Securities.

                  "PAYING AGENT" see Section 2.03.

                  "PAYMENT BLOCKAGE NOTICE" see Section 8.02(a).

                  "PAYMENT BLOCKAGE PERIOD" see Section 8.02(a).

                  "PAYMENT DEFAULT" see Section 6.01.

                  "PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY" see Section 2.01.

                  "PERMITTED BUSINESS" means the transportation business or any
business reasonably related, incidental or ancillary thereto.

                  "PERMITTED CONTRIBUTION" means contributions of properties or
assets in a transaction in which RailAmerica is entitled, in accordance with the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to receive an income tax deduction on
its consolidated federal income tax return; PROVIDED that the amount of any such
income tax deduction is at least equal to the fair market value of such
properties and assets less the amount of any liabilities, as shown on the
Company's most recent balance sheet, that are assumed by the transferee of any
such properties or assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that
releases the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from further liability
(such determination shall be evidenced by an Officers' Certificate delivered to
the Trustee in the case of property and assets with a fair market value less
than or equal to $1.0 million, by a resolution of the board of directors of
RailAmerica delivered to the Trustee in the case of property and assets with a
fair market value greater than $1.0 million, but less than or equal to $5.0
million, or by an opinion delivered to the Trustee of an accounting, appraisal
or investment banking firm of national standing in the case of property and
assets with a fair market value greater than $5.0 million).

                  "PERMITTED HOLDER" means RailAmerica and any direct or
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of RailAmerica.

                  "PERMITTED INDEBTEDNESS" see Section 4.04.

                  "PERMITTED INVESTMENTS" means (i) any Investment in the
Company or in any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (ii) any Investment in
cash or Cash Equivalents; (iii) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company in a Person if, as a result of that Investment, (a)
that Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or (b) that Person
is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys
substantially all of its assets to or is liquidated into, the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (iv) any Investment made as a result of
the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant
to and in compliance with Section 4.05; (v) any investment acquired

<PAGE>   21
                                      -13-

solely in exchange for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
Company; (vi) Investments in the Securities; (vii) loans and advances to
officers, directors and employees for business-related and other similar
investments, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business for bona
fide business purposes not in excess of $1.0 million at any one time
outstanding; (viii) Hedging Obligations permitted to be incurred under Section
4.04; (ix) Investments in securities of trade creditors or customers received
pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the
bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers; (x) repurchases
of Equity Interests of the Company deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock
options if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price
thereof; (xi) Investments made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in
connection with purchase price adjustments, contingent purchase price payments
or other earnout payments required in connection with Investments otherwise
permitted under this Indenture; and (xii) Investments in securities received in
settlement of trade obligations in the ordinary course of business.

                  "PERMITTED JUNIOR SECURITIES" means Equity Interests in the
Company or unsecured debt securities of the Company that are subordinated to all
Senior Indebtedness (and any debt securities issued in exchange for Senior
Indebtedness) to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than,
the Securities are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness.

                  "PERMITTED LIENS" means (i) Liens on property of a Person
existing at the time that Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED that those Liens were not incurred in
contemplation of that merger or consolidation and do not secure any property or
assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the property or
assets subject to the Liens prior to that merger or consolidation; (ii) Liens
existing on the date of this Indenture; (iii) Liens securing Indebtedness
consisting of purchase money Indebtedness, mortgage financings, industrial
revenue bonds or other monetary obligations, in each case incurred solely for
the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of
construction or installation of assets used in the business of the Company or
its Restricted Subsidiaries, or repairs, additions or improvements to those
assets; PROVIDED that (a) those Liens secure Indebtedness in an amount not in
excess of the original purchase price or the original cost of any such assets or
repair, addition or improvement thereto (plus an amount equal to the reasonable
fees and expenses in connection with the incurrence of that Indebtedness); (b)
those Liens do not extend to any other assets of the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries (and, in the case of repairs, additions or improvements to any such
assets, that Lien extends only to the assets (and improvements thereto or
thereon) repaired, added to or improved); (c) the Incurrence of that
Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.04; and (d) those Liens attach within
365 days of that purchase, construction, installation, repair, addition or
improvement; (iv) Liens securing Capital Lease Obligations permitted pursuant to
clause (iv) of the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness"; (v) Liens to secure
any refinancings, renewals, extensions, modifications or replacements
(collectively, "REFINANCING") (or successive refinancings), in whole or in part,
of any Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in clauses (i) through (iv)
above so long as that Lien does not extend to any other property (other than
improvements thereto); (vi) Liens securing letters of credit entered into in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past business practice; (vii)
Liens securing Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
owing to a Governmental Authority; and (viii) Liens securing (a) Indebtedness
(including all Obligations) under the Senior Credit Facility or a Foreign Credit
Facility or (b) Hedging Obligations payable to a lender under the Senior Credit
Facility or an Affiliate thereof or to a Person that was a lender or Affiliate
thereof at the time the contract was entered into to the extent such Hedging
Obligations are secured by Liens on assets also securing Indebtedness (including
all Obligations) under the Senior Credit Facility or a Foreign Credit Facility;
PROVIDED that in the case of a Foreign Credit Facility, the Indebtedness
incurred thereunder was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred.

                  "PERMITTED REFINANCING INDEBTEDNESS" means any Indebtedness of
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued within 60 days after
repayment of, in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which

<PAGE>   22
                                      -14-

are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other
Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in
accordance with Section 4.04 (other than pursuant to clauses (i), (iv), (v),
(vii), (viii), (ix), (x) and (xi) of the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness";
PROVIDED that (i) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of
that Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or
accreted value, if applicable) of, plus marked-based or other premium, if any,
and accrued interest on the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred
in connection therewith); (ii) that Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a
final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a
Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average
Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded; (iii) if the Indebtedness being extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of
payment to the Securities, that Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is
subordinated in right of payment to the Securities on terms at least as
favorable, taken as a whole, to the Holders of Securities as those contained in
the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced,
renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and (iv) such Indebtedness is incurred
either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the
Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded.

                  "PERSON" means any individual, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company,
trust, unincorporated organization or government (including any agency or
political subdivision thereof).

                  "PREFERRED STOCK" of any Person means Capital Stock of such
Person of any class or classes (however designated) that ranks prior, as to the
payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to shares of
Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

                  "PRINCIPAL" of a debt security means the principal of the
security, plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the security.

                  "PRIVATE PLACEMENT LEGEND" means the legend initially set
forth on the Securities in the form set forth on EXHIBIT A hereto.

                  "PURCHASE AGREEMENT" means the Purchase Agreement dated as of
August 9, 2000 between the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

                  "PURCHASE DATE" see Section 3.08.

                  "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" or "QIB" means a "qualified
institutional buyer" as that term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities
Act.

                  "REDEMPTION DATE," when used with respect to any Security to
be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to this
Indenture.

                  "REDEMPTION PRICE," when used with respect to any Security to
be redeemed, means the price fixed for such redemption pursuant to this
Indenture as set forth in the form of Security annexed hereto as EXHIBIT A.

<PAGE>   23
                                      -15-

                  "REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER" means the offer to exchange the
Series B Securities for all of the outstanding Series A Securities in accordance
with the Registration Rights Agreement.

                  "REGISTER" see Section 2.03.

                  "REGISTRAR" see Section 2.03.

                  "REGISTRATION" means the registration of the Registered
Exchange Offer by the Company and the Guarantors or other registration of the
Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to and in accordance with the terms
of the Registration Rights Agreement.

                  "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT" means the Notes Registration
Rights Agreement dated as of August 14, 2000 between the Company, the Guarantors
and the Initial Purchasers.

                  "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means the registration statement(s)
as defined and described in the Registration Rights Agreement.

                  "REGULATION S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act.

                  "RESTRICTED GLOBAL SECURITY" see Section 2.01.

                  "RESTRICTED INVESTMENT" means an Investment other than a
Permitted Investment.

                  "RESTRICTED PAYMENTS" see Section 4.06.

                  "RESTRICTED PERIOD" see Section 2.01.

                  "RESTRICTED SECURITY" has the meaning set forth in Rule
144(a)(3) under the Securities Act; PROVIDED, that the Trustee shall be entitled
to request and conclusively rely upon an Opinion of Counsel with respect to
whether any Security is a Restricted Security

                  "RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" of a Person means any Subsidiary of
the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

                  "RULE 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

                  "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                  "SECURITIES" means, collectively, the Series A Securities and
the Series B Securities, which should be treated as a single class of
securities, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the
terms hereof, that are issued pursuant to this Indenture.

                  "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder.

                  "SENIOR CREDIT FACILITY" means that certain Credit Agreement,
dated as of February 4, 2000, among the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries,
as borrowers, the Guarantors named therein, DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as lead
arranger and syndication agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as administrative
agent, ING

<PAGE>   24
                                      -16-

(U.S.) Capital LLC and Fleet National Bank, as documentation agents, and various
financial institutions party thereto, including any related notes, guarantees,
letters of credit, collateral documents, instruments, rate protection or hedging
arrangements and agreements executed in connection therewith, and, in each case,
as amended, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to
time, including any agreement (i) extending or shortening the maturity of any
Indebtedness incurred thereunder or contemplated thereby; (ii) adding or
deleting lenders, borrowers or guarantors thereunder; (iii) increasing the
amount of Indebtedness incurred thereunder or available to be borrowed
thereunder; PROVIDED that on the date that Indebtedness is incurred it would not
be prohibited under Section 4.04; or (iv) otherwise altering the terms and
conditions thereof. Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility outstanding on
the date on which Securities are first issued and authenticated under this
Indenture shall be deemed to have been incurred on that date in reliance on the
first paragraph in Section 4.04.

                  "SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" means all Obligations, if any, and
interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition
of bankruptcy at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect
thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable law)
on any Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the issue date or
thereafter created, incurred or assumed, unless, in the case of any particular
Indebtedness, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to
which the same is outstanding expressly provides that such Indebtedness shall
not be senior in right of payment to the Securities; PROVIDED that Indebtedness
under this sentence shall constitute "Senior Indebtedness" only to the extent
that such Indebtedness is secured by interests in property or assets and only if
the Chief Financial Officer of the Company or RailAmerica delivers a certificate
to the Trustee at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness stating that,
after due inquiry, the Indebtedness is secured by interests in property and
assets which have, and such officer has no reason to believe that such property
and assets will not continue to have, a fair market value that equals or exceeds
the principal amount and one interest payment on such Indebtedness, giving due
regard to the type and amount of any other Indebtedness secured by such property
and assets. Such certificate shall constitute conclusive evidence, binding for
all purposes, that such Indebtedness is secured. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, "Senior Indebtedness" shall also include all Obligations, if
any, interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a
petition of bankruptcy at the rate provided for in the documentation with
respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under
applicable law) on, and all other amounts owing in respect of, all monetary
obligations (including guarantees thereof) of every nature of the Company under
the Senior Credit Facility, including, without limitation, obligations to pay
principal and interest, reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, fees,
expenses and indemnities. "Senior Indebtedness" shall not include (i) any
Indebtedness of the Company to a Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of
the Company; (ii) Indebtedness to, or Guarantees on behalf of, any shareholder,
director, officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
(including, without limitation, amounts owed for compensation); (iii)
Indebtedness to trade creditors and other amounts incurred in connection with
obtaining goods, materials or services; (iv) Indebtedness represented by
Disqualified Stock; (v) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes
owed or owing by the Company; (vi) that portion of any Indebtedness incurred in
violation of provisions set forth under Section 4.04 of this Indenture; and
(vii) any Indebtedness which is, by its express terms, subordinated in right of
payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company.

                  "SERIES A SECURITIES" means the 12-7/8% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2010 of the Company issued pursuant to this Indenture and sold
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

                  "SERIES B SECURITIES" means the 12-7/8% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2010 of the Company to be issued in exchange for the Series A
Securities pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and the Registration Rights
Agreement.

<PAGE>   25
                                      -17-

                  "SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary of the Company
that would be a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of
Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

                  "STATED FINAL MATURITY" means August 15, 2010.

                  "STATED MATURITY" means, with respect to any installment of
interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which that
payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original
documentation governing that Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent
obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any of that interest or principal
prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

                  "SUBORDINATED NOTE OBLIGATIONS" means all Obligations with
respect to the Securities, including, without limitation, principal, premium, if
any, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, payable pursuant to the terms of
the Securities (including, without limitation, upon the acceleration or
redemption thereof), together with and including, without limitation, any
amounts received or receivable upon the exercise of rights of rescission or
other rights of action, including, without limitation, claims for damages, or
otherwise.

                  "SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any
corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the
total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the
occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or
trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by
that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a
combination thereof); and (ii) any partnership or limited liability company: (a)
the sole general partner of the managing general partner or managing member of
which is that Person or a Subsidiary of that Person; or (b) the only general
partners or managing members of which are that Person or one or more
Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

                  "TAX SHARING AGREEMENT" means the Tax Sharing Agreement, dated
as of February 4, 2000, by and among the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries.

                  "TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY" see Section 2.01.

                  "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code
ss.ss. 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended, as in effect on the date of this Indenture,
except as provided in Section 10.03.

                  "TRANSFEREE SECURITIES CERTIFICATION" see Section 2.06(g).

                  "TRUST OFFICER" means any officer within the corporate trust
department (or any successor group) of the Trustee including any vice president,
assistant vice president, assistant secretary or any other officer or assistant
officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those
performed by the persons who at that time shall be such officers, and also
means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to
whom such trust matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity
with the particular subject.

                  "TRUSTEE" means the party named as such in this Indenture
until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of this
Indenture and thereafter means such successor.

                  "UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time
to time in the State of New York.

<PAGE>   26
                                      -18-

                  "UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means, initially, Empresa de
Transporte Ferrovario, S.A. and any Subsidiary that is designated by the Board
of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary (and any Subsidiary of
an Unrestricted Subsidiary) pursuant to board resolution, but only to the extent
that that Subsidiary and each of its Subsidiaries (i) has no Indebtedness other
than Non-Recourse Debt; (ii) is not party to any agreement, contract,
arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company, unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding are no less favorable to the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary
than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not
Affiliates of the Company; and (iii) is a Person with respect to which neither
the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect
obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests (other than
Investments described in clauses (x) and (xi) of the definition of Permitted
Investments); or (b) to maintain or preserve that Person's financial condition
or to cause that Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results.

                  Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be
evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the
board resolution giving effect to that designation and an Officers' Certificate
certifying that designation complied with the foregoing conditions and was
permitted under Section 4.06 of this Indenture. If, at any time, any
Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted
Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of that
Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company as of that date (and, if that Indebtedness is not permitted to be
incurred as of that date under Section 4.04 of this Indenture, the Company shall
be in default of that provision).

                  The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time
designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED
that the designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of that
Unrestricted Subsidiary and that designation shall only be permitted if (i) that
Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.04 of this Indenture; (ii) no Default
or Event of Default would be in existence following that designation; and (iii)
if any such Subsidiary is a Domestic Subsidiary, it shall execute a supplemental
indenture to become a Guarantor with respect to the Securities.

                  "U.S. PERSON" means a "U.S. person" as defined in Rule 902
under the Securities Act.

                  "WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE TO MATURITY" means, when applied to any
Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock at any date, the number of years obtained by
dividing (i) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of
each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required
payments of principal or, in the case of Disqualified Stock, liquidation
preference, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof; by (b) the
number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between
that date and the making of that payment; by (ii) the then outstanding principal
amount of that Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock.

                  "WHOLLY OWNED RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" of any Person means a
Restricted Subsidiary of that Person all the outstanding Equity Interests or
other ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares)
shall at the time be owned by that Person or by one or more Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiaries of that Person or by that Person and one or more Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of that Person.

                  "WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY" of any Person means a Subsidiary of
that Person all of the outstanding Equity Interests or other ownership interests
of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by
that Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of that Person. SECTION

<PAGE>   27
                                      -19-

1.02. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT.

                  Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the
provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The
following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

                  "INDENTURE SECURITIES" means the Securities.

                  "INDENTURE SECURITY HOLDER" means a Securityholder.

                  "INDENTURE TO BE QUALIFIED" means this Indenture.

                  "INDENTURE TRUSTEE" or "INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE" means the
Trustee.

                  "OBLIGOR" on the indenture securities means the Company or any
other obligor on the Securities.

                  All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by
the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by Commission
rule and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them
therein.

SECTION 1.03. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

                  Unless the context otherwise requires:

                    (1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

                    (2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
         assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting
         principles in effect from time to time, and any other reference in this
         Indenture to "generally accepted accounting principles" refers to GAAP;

                    (3) "or" is not exclusive;

                    (4) words in the singular include the plural, and words in
         the plural include the singular;

                    (5) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
         and

                    (6) "herein," "hereof" and other words of similar import
         refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article,
         Section or other subdivision.

<PAGE>   28
                                      -20-

                                   ARTICLE TWO

                                 THE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01. FORM AND DATING.

                  The Securities and the Trustee's certificate of authentication
with respect thereto shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A or Exhibit
B hereto, as the case may be. The Securities may have notations, legends or
endorsements (including notations relating to the Guarantees) required by law,
stock exchange rule or usage. The Company and the Trustee shall approve the form
of the Securities and any notation, legend or endorsement (including notations
relating to the Guarantees) on them. Each Security shall be dated the date of
its authentication, shall bear interest from the applicable date which shall be
payable on each Interest Payment Date as long as such Security is outstanding
and shall be payable on the Final Maturity Date.

                  The terms and provisions contained in the Securities shall
constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and, to the
extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery
of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound
thereby.

                  Securities offered and sold in their initial distribution to
Qualified Institutional Buyers in reliance on Rule 144A and to Institutional
Accredited Investors, if any, shall, unless the applicable Holder requests
Securities in the form of physical, certified Securities in registered form
("Certificated Securities"), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit
A, be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities (collectively, and
together with their successor securities, the "RESTRICTED GLOBAL SECURITY") in
fully registered form without interest coupons, substantially in the form of
Exhibit A, with such applicable legends as provided for in Exhibit A and Exhibit
C, which shall be registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee and
deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depository, duly executed by
the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided, for credit
by the Depository to the respective accounts of beneficial owners of the
Securities represented thereby (or such other accounts as they may direct). The
aggregate principal amount of the Restricted Global Security may be increased or
decreased from time to time by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee,
as custodian for the Depository, in connection with a corresponding decrease or
increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Temporary Regulation S Global
Security or the Permanent Regulation S Global Security, as hereinafter provided
in Section 2.06.

                  Securities offered and sold in offshore transactions in
reliance on Regulation S shall initially be in the form of one or more temporary
registered, global book-entry Global Securities without interest coupons which
shall be registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee and deposited
with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depository, duly executed by the Company
and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided, for credit by the
Depository to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of the Securities
represented thereby (or such other accounts as they may direct), provided that
upon such deposit all such Securities shall be credited to or through accounts
maintained at the Depository by or on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream. Until
such time as the Restricted Period (as defined below) shall have expired, such
temporary Global Securities, together with their successor securities which are
Global Securities other than the Restricted Global Security, shall be referred
to herein as a "TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY." During the Restricted
Period, beneficial interests in the Temporary Regulation S Global Securities may
be held only through Euroclear or Clearstream, and pursuant to DTC's procedures,
Indirect Participants that hold a beneficial interest in the Temporary
Regulation S Global Securities will not be able to transfer such interest to a
person that takes delivery thereof in the form of an interest in the Restricted
Global Security. Within a reasonable time after the Restricted

<PAGE>   29
                                      -21-

Period shall have expired and the certifications referred to below in the next
succeeding paragraph shall have been provided, interests in such Temporary
Regulation S Global Securities shall be exchanged (as initiated by the
beneficial owners of interests therein) for interests in like Global Securities,
referred to herein collectively as the "PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY,"
or for interests in the form of Certificated Securities which shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A, referred to herein collectively as the
"NON-GLOBAL PERMANENT REGULATION S SECURITY," each substantially in the form of
Security set forth in Exhibit A, with such applicable legends as are provided
for in Exhibit A or Exhibit C. Such Permanent Regulation S Global Securities
shall be registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee and deposited
with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depository, duly executed by the Company
and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided, for credit to the
respective accounts of the beneficial owners of the Securities represented
thereby (or such other accounts as they may direct). The aggregate principal
amount of the Temporary Regulation S Global Security or the Permanent Regulation
S Global Security may be increased or decreased from time to time by adjustments
made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depository, as
hereinafter provided. As used herein, the term "RESTRICTED PERIOD" means the
period of 40 days commencing on the day after the later of (a) the offering date
and (b) the date of this Indenture; provided that promptly after the occurrence
of the date described in clause (a), the Company shall give written notice
thereof to the Trustee, identifying therein the day on which the Restricted
Period expires.

                  Interests in a Temporary Regulation S Global Security may be
exchanged for interests in a Permanent Regulation S Global Security only after
(a) the expiration of the Restricted Period, (b) delivery by a beneficial owner
of an interest therein to Euroclear or Clearstream of a written certification
(an "OWNER SECURITIES CERTIFICATION") substantially in the form of Exhibit E
hereto, and (c) upon delivery by Euroclear or Clearstream to the Trustee of a
written certification (a "DEPOSITORY SECURITIES CERTIFICATION") substantially in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit F. Upon receipt by the Trustee of the
Depository Securities Certification and the notification from the Depository
described in clause (iv) of the next succeeding paragraph, the Trustee will
exchange the portion of the Temporary Regulation S Global Security covered by
such certification for interests in a Permanent Regulation S Global Security.
The delivery by such Holder of a beneficial interest in such Temporary
Regulation S Global Security of such certification shall constitute an
irrevocable instruction by such holder to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case
may be, to exchange such Holder's beneficial interest in the Temporary
Regulation S Global Security for a beneficial interest in the Permanent
Regulation S Global Security upon the expiration of the Restricted Period in
accordance with the next succeeding paragraph.

                  Upon:

                    (i)    the expiration of the Restricted Period;

                    (ii)   receipt by Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may
                           be, of Owner Securities Certifications described in
                           the preceding paragraph;

                    (iii)  receipt by the Depository of:

                           (1) written instructions given in accordance with the
                  Applicable Procedures from an Agent Member directing the
                  Depository to credit or cause to be credited to a specified
                  Agent Member's account a beneficial interest in a Permanent
                  Regulation S Global Security in a principal amount equal to
                  that of the beneficial interest in a corresponding Temporary
                  Regulation S Global Security for which the necessary
                  certifications have been delivered; and

<PAGE>   30
                                      -22-

                           (2) a written order given in accordance with the
                  Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the
                  account of the Agent Member, and the Euroclear or Clearstream
                  account for which such Agent Member's account is held, to be
                  credited with, and the account of the Agent Member to be
                  debited for, such beneficial interest; and

                    (iv)   receipt by the Trustee of notification from the
                           Depository in accordance with the Applicable
                           Procedures requesting the exchange of a principal
                           amount of the Temporary Regulation S Global Security
                           identified therein for the same amount of the
                           Permanent Regulation S Global Security and from
                           Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, of
                           Depository Securities Certifications,

the Trustee, as Registrar, shall, or shall instruct the Depository to, reduce
the principal amount of such Temporary Regulation S Global Security, and to
increase the principal amount of such Permanent Regulation S Global Security, by
the principal amount of the beneficial interest in such Temporary Regulation S
Global Security to be so transferred, and the Depository shall credit or cause
to be credited to the account of the person specified in such instructions a
beneficial interest in such Permanent Regulation S Global Security having a
principal amount equal to the amount by which the principal amount of such
Temporary Regulation S Global Security was reduced upon such transfer.

SECTION 2.02. EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.

                  Two Officers, or an Officer and an Assistant Secretary, shall
sign, or one Officer shall sign and one Officer or an Assistant Secretary (each
of whom shall, in each case, have been duly authorized by all requisite
corporate actions) shall attest to, the Securities for the Company by manual or
facsimile signature.

                  If an Officer whose signature is on a Security was an Officer
at the time of such execution but no longer holds that office at the time the
Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall be valid nevertheless.
Each execution of a Security by the Company shall be accompanied by the
execution of a Guarantee by the Guarantors (and by any Restricted Subsidiary
that guarantees Indebtedness of the Company pursuant to Section 4.19).

                  A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of
the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security.
The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been
authenticated under this Indenture.

                  Upon receipt of a written order of the Company in the form of
an Officers' Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate Series A Securities for
original issue in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $130,000,000. The
Officers' Certificate shall specify the amount of Securities to be
authenticated, the series of Securities and the date on which the Securities are
to be authenticated. The aggregate principal amount of Securities outstanding at
any time may not exceed $130,000,000, except as provided in Section 2.07.

                  The Series A Securities may be exchanged for Series B
Securities pursuant to the terms of the Registered Exchange Offer. The Trustee
shall authenticate Series B Securities only in exchange for a like principal
amount of Series A Securities, in accordance with the following procedures:

                    (i)    The Company shall present the Trustee with an
                           Officers' Certificate certifying the following:

<PAGE>   31
                                      -23-

                           (a) that, upon issuance of the Series B Securities,
                  the transactions contemplated by the Registered Exchange Offer
                  shall have been consummated;

                           (b) the principal amount of Series A Securities
                  properly tendered in the Registered Exchange Offer that are
                  represented by a Global Security, and the aggregate principal
                  amount of Series B Securities in the form of a Global Security
                  that shall be exchanged therefor, together with any
                  registration or participant information and delivery
                  instructions for each such Holder; and

                           (c) the principal amount of Series A Securities
                  properly tendered in the Registered Exchange Offer that are
                  represented by Certificated Securities; the aggregate
                  principal amount of Series B Securities in definitive form
                  that shall be issued in exchange therefor, and with respect to
                  each Holder of such Certificated Securities, such Holder's
                  name; the principal amount properly tendered in the Exchange
                  Offer by each such Holder; the amount of Series B Securities
                  in definitive form to be issued to such Holder; the name and
                  address to which such definitive securities shall be
                  registered and sent to each such Holder; and applicable
                  delivery instructions.

                   (ii)    If requested by the Holders of at least a majority in
                           principal amount of the outstanding Series A
                           Securities, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee
                           an Opinion of Counsel for the Company as to the
                           following matters:

                           (a) the Series B Securities have been duly authorized
                  and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the
                  provisions of this Indenture and delivered in exchange for
                  Series A Securities in accordance with this Indenture and the
                  Registered Exchange Offer, will be entitled to the benefits of
                  this Indenture and will be valid and binding obligations of
                  the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms except
                  as (x) the enforceability thereof may be limited by
                  bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors'
                  rights generally and (y) rights of acceleration and the
                  availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable
                  principles of general applicability; and

                           (b) when the Series B Securities are executed and
                  authenticated in accordance with the provisions of this
                  Indenture and delivered in exchange for Series A Securities in
                  accordance with this Indenture and the Registered Exchange
                  Offer, the Guarantees endorsed thereon will be entitled to the
                  benefits of this Indenture and will be valid and binding
                  obligations of the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with
                  their terms except as (x) the enforceability thereof may be
                  limited to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting
                  creditors' rights generally and (y) rights of acceleration and
                  the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by
                  equitable principles of general applicability.

                    (iii)  The Trustee, upon receipt of such Officers'
                           Certificate and, if applicable, the Opinion of
                           Counsel, shall authenticate (A) a Global Security for
                           Series B Securities in an aggregate principal amount
                           equal to the aggregate principal amount of Series A
                           Securities represented by a Global Security indicated
                           in such Officers' Certificate as having been properly
                           tendered and (B) Certificated Securities for Series B
                           Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to
                           the aggregate principal amount of Series A Securities
                           registered in the names of the Holders and
                           represented by Certificated Securities indicated in
                           such Officers' Certificate as having been properly
                           tendered.

<PAGE>   32
                                      -24-

                    (iv)   If the principal amount of the Global Security for
                           the Series B Securities is less than the principal
                           amount of the Global Security for the Series A
                           Securities, the Trustee shall make an endorsement on
                           such Global Security for Series A Securities
                           indicating a reduction in the principal amount
                           represented thereby.

                    (v)    The Trustee shall deliver such Certificated
                           Securities for Series B Securities to the Holders
                           thereof as indicated in such Officers' Certificate.

                  Upon receipt of a written order of the Company in the form of
an Officers' Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities in
substitution for Securities originally issued to reflect any name change of the
Company.

                  The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably
acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. Unless otherwise provided
in the appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever
the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the
Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the
same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company and Affiliates of the Company.

                  The Securities shall be issuable only in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

SECTION 2.03. REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT.

                  The Company shall maintain an office or agency where (a)
Securities may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for
exchange ("REGISTRAR"), (b) Securities may be presented or surrendered for
payment ("PAYING Agent") and (c) notices and demands in respect of the
Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Registrar shall keep a register
(the "REGISTER") of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The
Company, upon notice to the Trustee, may appoint one or more co-Registrars and
one or more additional Paying Agents. The term "PAYING AGENT" includes any
additional Paying Agent. Except as provided herein, the Company, or any
Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.

                  The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement
with any Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the
provisions of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this
Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the
name and address of any such Agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar
or Paying Agent, or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as
such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation in accordance with
Section 7.07.

                  The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and
Paying Agent until such time as the Trustee has resigned or a successor has been
appointed. The Company may appoint a different Registrar or Paying Agent without
prior notice to Holders of the Securities.

SECTION 2.04. PAYING AGENT TO HOLD ASSETS IN TRUST.

                  The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the
Trustee to agree in writing that each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the
benefit of Holders or the Trustee all assets held by the Paying Agent for the
payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest or Liquidated Damages,
if any, on the Securities, and shall notify the Trustee of any Default by the
Company in making any such payment. The Company at any

<PAGE>   33
                                      -25-

time may require a Paying Agent to distribute all assets held by it to the
Trustee and account for any assets disbursed and the Trustee may at any time
during the continuance of any payment Default, upon written request to a Paying
Agent, require such Paying Agent to distribute all assets held by it to the
Trustee and to account for any assets distributed. Upon distribution to the
Trustee of all assets that shall have been delivered by the Company to the
Paying Agent (if other than the Company), the Paying Agent shall have no further
liability for such assets. If the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their
respective Affiliates acts as Paying Agent, it shall, on or before each due date
of the principal of or interest on the Securities, segregate and hold in trust
for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the
principal or premium, if any, or, interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, so
becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed
of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or
failure so to act.

SECTION 2.05. SECURITYHOLDER LISTS.

                  The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and
addresses of Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall
furnish to the Trustee before each Interest Record Date and at such other times
as the Trustee may request in writing, a list as of such date and in such form
as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders,
which list may be conclusively relied upon by the Trustee.

SECTION 2.06. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.

                  (a) An entire Global Security may be exchanged for
Certificated Securities if (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from
DTC (x) that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global
Securities and the Company thereupon fails to appoint a successor Depository
within 90 days or (y) that DTC has ceased to be a clearing agency registered
under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in
writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Certificated Securities or (iii)
there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or an Event of Default
with respect to the Securities. In addition, beneficial interests in a Global
Security may, subject to the restrictions on the transferability of the
Securities set forth herein and upon delivery of a certificate in the form of
Exhibit D, be exchanged for Certificated Securities upon request but only upon
at least 20 days' prior written notice given to the Trustee by or on behalf of
the Depository (in accordance with the Depository's customary procedures) and
will bear the applicable legends set forth in Exhibit A. The Company shall duly
execute and deliver to the Trustee upon request Certificated Securities for such
purpose (or from time to time shall provide to the Trustee an inventory of duly
executed Certificated Securities for such purpose).

                  (b) If any Global Security is to be exchanged for other
Securities or cancelled in whole, it shall be surrendered by or on behalf of the
Depository or its nominee to the Trustee, as Registrar, for exchange or
cancellation as provided in this Article Two. If any Global Security is to be
exchanged for other Securities or cancelled in part, or if another Security is
to be exchanged in whole or in part for a beneficial interest in any Global
Security, such Global Security shall be so surrendered for exchange or
cancellation as provided in this Article Two or, if the Trustee is acting as
custodian for the Depository or its nominee (or is party to a similar
arrangement) with respect to such Global Security, the principal amount thereof
shall be reduced or increased by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so
exchanged or cancelled, or the principal amount of such other Security to be so
exchanged for a beneficial interest therein, as the case may be, in each case by
means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Trustee, whereupon
the Trustee, in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, shall instruct the
Depository or its authorized representatives to make a corresponding adjustment
to its records (including by crediting or debiting any Agent Member's account as
necessary to reflect any transfer or exchange of a beneficial interest). Upon
any such surrender or adjustment of a Global Security,

<PAGE>   34
                                      -26-

the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, subject to this Article Two,
authenticate and deliver any Securities issuable in exchange for such Global
Security (or any portion thereof) to or upon the order of, and registered in
such names as may be directed by, the Depository or its authorized
representative. Upon the request of the Trustee in connection with the
occurrence of any of the events specified in the preceding paragraph or in
paragraph (r) below, the Company shall promptly make available to the Trustee a
reasonable supply of Securities that are not in the form of Global Securities.
The Trustee shall be entitled to rely upon any order, direction or request of
the Depository or its authorized representative which is given or made pursuant
to this Article Two if such order, direction or request is given or made in
accordance with the Applicable Procedures.

                  (c) Subject to the provisions in the legends required by this
Indenture, the registered Holder may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any
Person, including Agent Members and Persons who may hold interests in Agent
Members, to take any action that such Holder is entitled to take under this
Indenture.

                  (d) Neither Agent Members nor any other Person on whose behalf
Agent Members may act shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to
any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depository or under the Global
Security, and the Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any
agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global
Security for all purposes whatsoever. Nothing herein shall prevent the Company,
the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any
written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository
or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of
customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any
Security. With respect to any Global Security deposited with the Trustee as
custodian for the Depository for credit to their respective accounts (or to such
other accounts as they may direct) at Euroclear or Clearstream, the provisions
of the "Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System" and the "Terms and
Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear," and the "Management Regulations" and
"Instructions to Participants" of Clearstream, respectively, shall be applicable
to such Global Security.

                  (e) Upon presentation for transfer or exchange of any Security
at the office of the Trustee, as Registrar, or at the office of the New York
Presenting Agent located in The City of New York, accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer or exchange in the form approved by the Company (it being
understood that, until notice to the contrary is given to holders of Securities,
the Company shall be deemed to have approved the form of instrument of transfer
or exchange, if any, printed on any Security), executed by the registered
Holder, in person or by such Holder's attorney thereunto duly authorized in
writing, and upon compliance with this Section 2.06, such Security shall be
transferred upon the Register, and a new Security shall be authenticated and
issued in the name of the transferee. Notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary herein or in the Securities, transfers of a Global Security, in whole
or in part, and transfers of interests therein of the kind described in this
Section 2.06, shall only be made in accordance with this Section 2.06. Transfers
and exchanges subject to this Section 2.06 shall also be subject to the other
provisions of this Indenture that are not inconsistent with this Section 2.06.

                  (f) GENERAL. A Global Security may be transferred, in whole
and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC, or its
nominee in certain limited circumstances as described below, and no such
transfer to any such other Person may be registered; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
this paragraph (f) shall not prohibit any transfer of a Security that is issued
in exchange for a Global Security but is not itself a Global Security. No
transfer of a Security to any Person shall be effective under this Indenture or
the Securities unless and until such Security has been registered in the name of
such Person. Nothing in this paragraph (f) shall prohibit or render ineffective
any transfer of a beneficial interest in a Global Security effected in
accordance with the other provisions of this Section 2.06.

<PAGE>   35
                                      -27-

                  (g) TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY. If the holder of a
beneficial interest in a Temporary Regulation S Global Security wishes at any
time to transfer such interest to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof
in the form of a beneficial interest in such Temporary Regulation S Global
Security, such transfer may be effected, subject to the rules and procedures of
the Depository, Euroclear and Clearstream, in each case to the extent applicable
and as in effect from time to time (the "APPLICABLE PROCEDURES"), only in
accordance with this paragraph (g). In order to effect such a transfer, the
transferring beneficial owner of an interest in a Temporary Regulation S Global
Security shall deliver to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, an Owner
Securities Certification, and the transferee of such beneficial interest in the
Temporary Regulation S Global Security shall deliver to Euroclear or
Clearstream, as the case may be, a written certification (a "TRANSFEREE
SECURITIES CERTIFICATION") substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto.

                  (h) RESTRICTED GLOBAL SECURITY TO TEMPORARY REGULATION S
GLOBAL SECURITY. Prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, a holder of a
beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Security will not be permitted to
transfer its interests to any person that takes delivery thereof in the form of
an interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Securities.

                  (i) RESTRICTED GLOBAL SECURITY TO PERMANENT REGULATION S
GLOBAL SECURITY. If the holder of a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global
Security wishes at any time after the expiration of the Restricted Period to
transfer such interest to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof in the
form of a beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Security,
such transfer may be effected, subject to the Applicable Procedures, only in
accordance with this paragraph (i). Upon receipt by the Trustee, as Registrar,
after the expiration of the Restricted Period of (A) written instructions given
by or on behalf of the Depository in accordance with the Applicable Procedures
directing the Trustee to credit or cause to be credited to a specified Agent
Member's account a beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global
Security in a specified principal amount and to cause to be debited from another
specified Agent Member's account a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global
Security in an equal principal amount and (B) a certificate in substantially the
form set forth in Exhibit H signed by or on behalf of the holder of such
beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Security, the Trustee, as
Registrar, shall reduce the principal amount of a Restricted Global Security and
increase the principal amount of the Permanent Regulation S Global Security by
such specified principal amount. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global
Security may not be transferred to the Permanent Regulation S Global Security
prior to expiration of the Restricted Period.

                  (j) TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY OR PERMANENT
REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY TO RESTRICTED GLOBAL SECURITY. Prior to the
expiration of the Registered Period, an Indirect Participant who holds an
interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Security through Euroclear or
Clearstream will not be permitted to transfer its interest to a U.S. Person who
takes delivery in the form of an interest in Restricted Global Securities. If
the holder of a beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global
Security at any time wishes after the expiration of the Restricted Period to
transfer such interest to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof in the
form of a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Security, such transfer
may be effected, subject to the Applicable Procedures, only in accordance with
this paragraph (j) and paragraph (n) below. Upon receipt by the Trustee, as
Registrar, of (A) written instructions given by or on behalf of the Depository
in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Trustee to credit or
cause to be credited to a specified Agent Member's account a beneficial interest
in the Restricted Global Security in a specified principal amount and to cause
to be debited from another specified Agent Member's account a beneficial
interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Security in an equal principal
amount and (B) a certificate in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit I
signed by or on behalf of the holder of such beneficial interest in the
Permanent Regulation S Global Security, the Trustee, as Registrar, shall,
subject to paragraph (n) below, reduce the principal amount of such Permanent

<PAGE>   36
                                      -28-

Regulation S Global Security and increase the principal amount of the Restricted
Global Security by such specified principal amount.

                  (k) NON-GLOBAL RESTRICTED SECURITY TO GLOBAL SECURITY. If the
holder of a Restricted Security (other than a Global Security) wishes at any
time to transfer all or any portion of such Security to a Person who wishes to
take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Restricted
Global Security, the Temporary Regulation S Global Security or the Permanent
Regulation S Global Security, such transfer may be effected, subject to the
Applicable Procedures, only in accordance with this paragraph (k) and paragraph
(n) below. Upon receipt by the Trustee, as Registrar, of (A) such Restricted
Security and written instructions given by or on behalf of such Holder as
provided in this Section 2.06 directing the Trustee to credit or cause to be
credited to a specified Agent Member's account a beneficial interest in the
Restricted Global Security, the Temporary Regulation S Global Security or the
Permanent Regulation S Global Security, as the case may be, in a specified
principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Security (or
portion thereof) to be so transferred, and (B) an appropriately completed
certificate substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit J-1 hereto, if the
specified account is to be credited with a beneficial interest in the Restricted
Global Security, or Exhibit J-2 hereto, if the specified account is to be
credited with a beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global
Security or the Permanent Regulation S Global Security, signed by or on behalf
of such Holder, then the Trustee, as Registrar, shall, subject to paragraph (n)
below, cancel such Restricted Security (and issue a new Restricted Security in
respect of any untransferred portion thereof) as provided in this Section 2.06
and increase the principal amount of the Restricted Global Security, Temporary
Regulation S Global Security or Permanent Regulation S Global Security, as the
case may be, by the specified principal amount.

                  (l) NON-GLOBAL PERMANENT REGULATION S SECURITY TO RESTRICTED
GLOBAL SECURITY OR PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY. If the Holder of a
Non-Global Permanent Regulation S Security wishes at any time to transfer all or
any portion of such Security to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof in
the form of a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Security or the
Permanent Regulation S Global Security, as the case may be, such transfer may be
effected only in accordance with this paragraph (l) and subject to the
Applicable Procedures. Upon receipt by the Trustee, as Registrar, of (A) such
Non-Global Permanent Regulation S Security and instructions given by or on
behalf of such Holder as provided in this Section 2.06 directing the Trustee to
credit or cause to be credited to a specified Agent Member's account a
beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Security or the Permanent
Regulation S Global Security, as the case may be, in a principal amount equal to
the principal amount of the Non-Global Permanent Regulation S Security (or
portion thereof) to be so transferred, and (B)(i) with respect to a transfer
which is to be delivered in the form of a beneficial interest in the Restricted
Global Security, a certificate in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit
K-1, signed by or on behalf of such Holder, and (ii) with respect to a transfer
which is to be delivered in the form of a beneficial interest in the Permanent
Regulation S Global Security, a certificate in substantially the form set forth
in Exhibit K-2, signed by or on behalf of such Holder, then the Trustee, as
Registrar, shall, subject to paragraph (n) below, cancel such Non-Global
Permanent Regulation S Security (and issue a new Non-Global Permanent Regulation
S Security in respect of any untransferred portion thereof) as provided in this
Section 2.06 and increase the principal amount of the Restricted Global Security
or the Permanent Regulation S Global Security, as the case may be, by the
specified principal amount.

                  (m) OTHER EXCHANGES. Securities that are not Global Securities
may be exchanged (on transfer or otherwise) for Securities that are not Global
Securities or for beneficial interests in a Global Security (if any is then
outstanding) only in accordance with such procedures, which shall be
substantially consistent with the provisions of paragraphs (f) through (l) above
(including the certification requirements intended to insure that transfers of
beneficial interests in a Global Security comply with Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, Rule 144 under the Securities Act or Regulation S, as the case
may be) and any Applicable Procedures, as may be from time to

<PAGE>   37
                                      -29-

time adopted by the Company and the Trustee. The Trustee shall be entitled to
request and receive, from time to time, instructions as to such procedures
adopted or approved by the Company.

                  (n) INTERESTS IN TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY TO BE
HELD THROUGH EUROCLEAR OR CLEARSTREAM. Until the expiration of the Restricted
Period, beneficial interests in any Temporary Regulation S Global Security may
be held only in or through accounts maintained at the Depository by Euroclear or
Clearstream (or by Agent Members acting for the account thereof).

                  (o) When Certificated Securities are presented to the
Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register the transfer of such
Certificated Securities or to exchange such Certificated Securities for an equal
principal amount of Certificated Securities of other authorized denominations,
the Registrar or co-Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange
as requested if its requirements for such transaction are met; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Securities surrendered for transfer or exchange shall be duly
endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory
to the Company and the Registrar or co-Registrar, duly executed by the Holder
thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing. To permit registrations of
transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate Certificated Securities at the Registrar's or co-Registrar's
request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith
(other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon
exchanges or transfers pursuant to Sections 2.02, 2.10, 3.06, 4.05, 4.14 or
10.05). The Registrar or co-Registrar shall not be required to register the
transfer of or exchange of any Security (i) during a period between (a) the date
the Trustee receives notice of a redemption from the Company and the date the
Securities to be redeemed are selected by the Trustee or (b) an Interest Record
Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date or (ii) selected for
redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article Three hereof, except the
unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part, or tendered pursuant
to an offer therefor. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange: (i)
any Security selected for redemption or tendered, or (ii) any Security during
the period between (a) the date the Trustee receives notice of a redemption from
the Company and the date the Securities to be redeemed are selected by the
Trustee or (b) a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

                  (p) If a Series A Security is a Restricted Security and a
Certificated Security, then as provided in this Indenture and subject to the
limitations herein set forth, the Holder, provided it is a Qualified
Institutional Buyer, may exchange such Security for a Book-Entry Security by
instructing the Trustee (by completing the Transferee Certificate in the form of
Exhibit D hereto) to arrange for such Series A Security to be represented by a
beneficial interest in a Global Security in accordance with the customary
procedures of the Depository.

                  (q) Upon any exchange provided for in Section 2.06(a), the
Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the
person specified by the Depository a new Certificated Security registered in
such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depository, pursuant to
the instructions of the beneficial owner of the Securities requesting the
exchange, shall instruct the Trustee. Thereupon, the beneficial ownership of
such Global Security shown on the records maintained by the Depository or its
nominee shall be reduced by the amounts so exchanged and an appropriate
endorsement shall be made by or on behalf of the Trustee on the Global Security.
Any such exchange shall be effected through the Depository in accordance with
the procedures of the Depository therefor.

                  (r) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Global Security shall be
registered for transfer or exchange, or authenticated and delivered in the name
of a person other than the Depository for such Global Security or its nominee
until (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time the Depository
ceases to be a clearing agency registered under

<PAGE>   38
                                      -30-

the Exchange Act, and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company
within 30 days, (ii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company
Order that all such Global Securities shall be exchangeable or (iii) there shall
have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default. Upon the occurrence in
respect of any Global Security representing the Series A Securities of any one
or more of the conditions specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the
preceding sentence, such Global Security may be registered for transfer or
exchange for Series A Securities registered in the names of, authenticated and
delivered to, such persons as the Trustee or the Depository, as the case may be,
shall direct.

                  (s) Except as provided above, any Security authenticated and
delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of,
any Global Security shall also be a Global Security and bear the legend
specified in Exhibit C.

                  (t) Neither the Trustee, the Registrar nor any Paying Agent
shall have any responsibility or liability for the accuracy of the books and
records of, or for any actions or omissions of, the Depository, Euroclear,
Clearstream or any Agent Member.

                  (u) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary,
neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall be responsible for ascertaining
whether any transfer complies with the registration provisions of or exemptions
from the Securities Act, applicable state securities laws, ERISA, the Code or
the Investment Company Act; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if a certificate is
specifically required by the express terms of this Section 2.06 to be delivered
to a Trustee by a purchaser or transferee of a Note, the Trustee shall be under
a duty to receive and examine the same to determine whether it conforms on its
face to the requirements of this Indenture and shall promptly notify the party
delivering the same if such certificate does not conform.

SECTION 2.07. REPLACEMENT SECURITIES.

                  If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee or if
the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or
wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a
replacement Security if the Company's and the Trustee's requirements for
replacement of Securities are met. Such Holder must provide an indemnity bond or
other indemnity, sufficient in the judgment of both the Company and the Trustee,
to protect the Company, the Trustee and any Agent from any loss which any of
them may suffer if a Security is replaced and evidence to their satisfaction of
the apparent loss, destruction or theft of such Security. The Company may charge
such Holder for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in replacing a Security,
including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel.

                  Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the
Company.

SECTION 2.08. OUTSTANDING SECURITIES.

                  Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities that
have been authenticated by the Trustee except those canceled by it, those
delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section 2.08 as not
outstanding. Subject to Section 2.09, a Security does not cease to be
outstanding because the Company or any of its Affiliates holds the Security.

                  If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 (other than
a mutilated Security surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding
unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security
is held by a BONA FIDE purchaser. A mutilated Security ceases to be outstanding
upon surrender of such Security and replacement thereof pursuant to Section
2.07.

<PAGE>   39
                                      -31-

                  If on a Redemption Date or the Final Maturity Date the Paying
Agent holds money sufficient to pay all of the principal and interest due on the
Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities
cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

SECTION 2.09. TREASURY SECURITIES.

                  In determining whether the Holders of the required principal
amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent,
Securities owned by the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective
Affiliates shall be disregarded, except that, for the purposes of determining
whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver
or consent, only Securities that a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows
are so owned shall be disregarded.

                  The Trustee may require an Officers' Certificate listing
Securities owned by the Company, the Guarantors or, to the knowledge of the
Officers signing such Officers' Certificate, their respective Affiliates.

SECTION 2.10. TEMPORARY SECURITIES.

                  Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the
Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities.
Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities
but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary
Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the
Trustee shall authenticate upon receipt of a Company Order pursuant to Section
2.02 definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.

SECTION 2.11. CANCELLATION.

                  The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee
for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the
Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment.
The Trustee, or at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying
Agent, and no one else, shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer,
exchange, payment or cancellation. Such canceled Securities shall be disposed of
in accordance with applicable securities laws. Subject to Section 2.07, the
Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. If the Company or the Guarantors
shall acquire any of the Securities, such acquisition shall not operate as a
redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Securities
unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation
pursuant to this Section 2.11.

SECTION 2.12. DEFAULTED INTEREST.

                  If the Company defaults in a payment of principal of or
interest on the Securities, it shall pay interest on overdue principal and on
overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace
periods) from time to time on demand at the rate per annum borne by the
Securities, to the extent lawful.

SECTION 2.13. CUSIP NUMBER.

                  The Company in issuing the Securities will use a "CUSIP"
number, and the Trustee shall use the CUSIP number in notices of redemption or
exchange as a convenience to Holders; PROVIDED that any such notice may state
that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP
number printed in the notice or on the Securities and that reliance may be
placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities. The
Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any changes in CUSIP numbers.

<PAGE>   40
                                      -32-

SECTION 2.14. DEPOSIT OF MONEYS.

                  Prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on each Interest
Payment Date, Redemption Date and the Final Maturity Date, the Company shall
deposit with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient to
make cash payments, if any, due on such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date
or Final Maturity Date, as the case may be, in a timely manner which permits the
Paying Agent to remit payment to the Holders on such Interest Payment Date,
Redemption Date or Final Maturity Date, as the case may be.

                                  ARTICLE THREE

                                   REDEMPTION

SECTION 3.01. NOTICES TO TRUSTEE.

                  If the Company wants to redeem Securities pursuant to
paragraph 6 or 7 of the Securities at the applicable redemption price set forth
therein, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date and the
principal amount of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give such
notice to the Trustee at least 45 days before the Redemption Date (unless a
shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee in writing), together with an
Officers' Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the
conditions contained herein.

SECTION 3.02. SELECTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED.

                  If less than all of the Securities are to be redeemed pursuant
to paragraph 6 of the Securities, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be
redeemed (1) in compliance with the requirements of the principal national
securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities are listed or, (2) if the
Securities are not then listed on a national securities exchange, on a PRO RATA
basis, by lot or by any other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and
appropriate; PROVIDED that if a partial redemption is made with the proceeds of
an Equity Offering, selection of the Securities or portions thereof for
redemption shall be made by the Trustee only on a pro rata basis as is
practicable (subject to DTC procedures), unless such method is otherwise
prohibited; PROVIDED that, in each case, no securities of $1,000 or less shall
be redeemed in part. Selection of the Securities to be redeemed pursuant to
paragraph 7 of the Securities shall be made by the Trustee only on a PRO RATA
basis or on as nearly a PRO RATA basis as is practicable (subject to the
procedures of the Depository) based on the aggregate principal amount of
Securities held by each Holder. The Trustee shall make the selection from the
Securities then outstanding, subject to redemption and not previously called for
redemption.

                  The Trustee may select for redemption pursuant to paragraph 6
or 7 of the Securities portions of the principal amount of Securities that have
denominations equal to or larger than $1,000 principal amount. Securities and
portions of them the Trustee so selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 principal
amount or integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to
Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for
redemption.

SECTION 3.03. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

                  Subject to the provisions of Section 3.08, at least 30 days
but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail a
notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder at such Holder's
registered address whose Securities are to be redeemed. Notices of redemption
may not be conditional.

<PAGE>   41
                                      -33-

                  Each notice of redemption shall identify the Securities to be
redeemed (including, but subject to the provisions of Section 2.13, the CUSIP
number thereon) and shall state:

                    (i)    the Redemption Date;

                   (ii)    the redemption price;

                  (iii)    the name and address of the Paying Agent to which the
                           Securities are to be surrendered for redemption;

                   (iv)    that Securities called for redemption must be
                           surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the
                           redemption price;

                    (v)    the paragraph of the Securities and/or Section of
                           this Indenture pursuant to which the Securities
                           called for redemption are being redeemed;

                   (vi)    that, unless the Company defaults in making the
                           redemption payment, interest on Securities called for
                           redemption ceases to accrue on and after the
                           Redemption Date and the only remaining right of the
                           Holders is to receive payment of the redemption price
                           upon surrender to the Paying Agent; and

                  (vii)    if any Security is being redeemed in part, the
                           portion of the principal amount of such Security to
                           be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date, upon
                           surrender of such Security, a new Security or
                           Securities in principal amount equal to the
                           unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

                  At the Company's written request, the Trustee shall give the
notice of redemption on behalf of the Company, in the Company's name and at the
Company's expense.

SECTION 3.04. EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

                  Once a notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for
redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the redemption
price specified in such notice. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such
Securities shall be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued interest thereon,
if any, to the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose maturity is on
or prior to such Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of record at
the close of business on the relevant Interest Record Date.

SECTION 3.05. DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE.

                  At least one Business Day before the Redemption Date, the
Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or if the Company is its own Paying
Agent, shall, on or before the Redemption Date, segregate and hold in trust)
money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date other
than Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which
have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.

                  If any Security surrendered for redemption in the manner
provided in the Securities shall not be so paid on the Redemption Date due to
the failure of the Company to deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to
pay the redemption price thereof, the principal and accrued and unpaid interest,
if any, thereon

<PAGE>   42
                                      -34-

shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest as provided in Sections
2.12 and 4.01 with respect to any payment default.

SECTION 3.06. SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART.

                  Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the
Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security equal in principal
amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

SECTION 3.07. MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

                  The Company is not required to make any mandatory redemption
of, or sinking fund payments with respect to, the Securities.

SECTION 3.08. OFFER TO PURCHASE BY APPLICATION OF ASSET SALE OFFER AMOUNT.

                  In the event that the Company shall be required to commence an
Asset Sale Offer pursuant to Section 4.05, it shall follow the procedures
specified below.

                  The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20
Business Days following its commencement or such longer period as may be
required by applicable law (the "OFFER PERIOD"). No later than five Business
Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the "PURCHASE DATE"), the
Company shall purchase the Asset Sale Offer Amount except as provided in Section
3.02 or, if Securities in an aggregate principal amount less than the Asset Sale
Offer Amount have been tendered, all Securities validly tendered in response to
the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Securities so purchased shall be made in
the same manner as interest payments are made.

                  If the Purchase Date is on or after an Interest Record Date
and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid
interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Security is registered at
the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest shall be
payable to Holders who tender Securities pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

                  Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company
shall send, by first-class mail, a notice of such Asset Sale Offer to the
Trustee and each of the Holders. The notice shall contain all instructions and
materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Securities pursuant to the
Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice,
which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:

                           (a) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant
         to this Section 3.08 and Section 4.05 and the length of time the Asset
         Sale Offer shall remain open;

                           (b) the Asset Sale Offer Amount, the purchase price
         and the Purchase Date;

                           (c) that any Security not validly tendered or
         accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;

                           (d) that, unless the Company defaults in making such
         payment, any Security accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale
         Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase

<PAGE>   43
                                      -35-

         Date and the only remaining right of the Holder is to receive payment
         of the purchase price upon surrender of the applicable Security to the
         Paying Agent;

                           (e) that Holders electing to have a portion of a
         Security purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may only elect to
         have such Security purchased in integral multiples of $1,000;

                           (f) that Holders electing to have a Security
         purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to
         surrender the Security, with the form entitled "Option of Holder to
         Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the Security completed, or transfer
         by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a depositary, if appointed by
         the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice
         at least three days before the Purchase Date;

                           (g) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their
         election if the Company, the depositary or the Paying Agent, as the
         case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer
         Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting
         forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security the
         Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is
         withdrawing his election to have such Security purchased;

                           (h) that, if the aggregate principal amount of
         Securities surrendered by Holders exceeds the Asset Sale Offer Amount,
         the Company shall select the Securities to be purchased on a PRO RATA
         basis (based on amounts tendered and with such adjustments as may be
         deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Securities in
         denominations of $1,000, or integral multiples thereof, shall be
         purchased); and

                           (i) that Holders whose Securities were purchased only
         in part shall be issued a new Security or Securities in principal
         amount equal to the unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered
         (or transferred by book-entry transfer) in the name of the Holder
         thereof upon cancellation of the original Security.

                  On or before the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the
extent lawful, accept for payment, on a PRO RATA basis to the extent necessary
and, except as provided in Section 3.02, the Asset Sale Offer Amount of
Securities or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale
Offer, or if less than the Asset Sale Offer Amount has been validly tendered,
all Securities or portions thereof validly tendered, and shall deliver to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such Securities or portions
thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of
this Section 3.08. The Company, the Depository or the Paying Agent, as the case
may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the
Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the
purchase price of the Securities tendered by such Holder and accepted by the
Company for purchase, and the Company shall promptly issue a new Security, and
the Trustee, upon written request from the Company shall authenticate and mail
or deliver such new Security to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any
unpurchased portion of the Security surrendered. Any Security not so accepted
shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The
Company shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the
Purchase Date.

                  Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.08, any
purchase pursuant to this Section 3.08 and Section 4.05 shall be made pursuant
to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06.

<PAGE>   44
                                      -36-

To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict
with this Section 3.08 or Section 4.05, the Company shall comply with the
applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have
breached its obligations under this Section 3.08 or Section 4.05.

                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                                    COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01. PAYMENT OF SECURITIES.

                  The Company shall pay the principal of and premium, if any,
and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities in the manner
provided in the Securities and the Registration Rights Agreement. An installment
of principal, premium, interest or Liquidated Damages shall be considered paid
on the date due if the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Company, a
Subsidiary or an Affiliate of the Company) holds on that date money designated
for and sufficient to pay the installment in full and is not prohibited from
paying such money to the Holders of the Securities pursuant to the terms of this
Indenture. The Trustee shall not be responsible for knowing the amount of
Liquidated Damages due unless the Trustee shall have been notified by the
Company thereof.

                  The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the
same rate per annum borne by the Securities. The Company shall pay interest on
overdue installments of interest at the same rate per annum borne by the
Securities, to the extent lawful, as provided in Section 2.12.

SECTION 4.02. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY.

                  The Company shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York, an office or agency (which may be an office or agent of the
Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Securities may be surrendered for
payment or for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and
demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture
may be presented (the "NEW YORK PRESENTING AGENT"). The Company may also from
time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the
Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may
from time to time rescind such designations; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such
designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its
obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City
of New York for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to
the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or
agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required
office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof,
such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the
address of the Trustee set forth in Section 13.02 hereof. The Company hereby
initially designates Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., at its address at The
Depository Trust Company, 1st Floor, TADS Department, 55 Water Street, New York,
New York 10041, for such purposes.

SECTION 4.03. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.

                  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any
property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction,
contract, agreement, understanding,

<PAGE>   45
                                      -37-

loan, advance or Guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the
Company (each of the foregoing, an "AFFILIATE TRANSACTION") unless:

                  (i)      that Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no
                           less favorable to the Company or that Restricted
                           Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained
                           in a comparable transaction by the Company or that
                           Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

                  (ii)     the Company delivers to the Trustee:

                           (a)      with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or
                                    series of related Affiliate Transactions
                                    involving aggregate consideration in excess
                                    of $1.0 million, a resolution of the Board
                                    of Directors set forth in an Officers'
                                    Certificate certifying that the relevant
                                    Affiliate Transaction complies with clause
                                    (i) above and that the Affiliate Transaction
                                    has been approved by a majority of the
                                    disinterested members of the Board of
                                    Directors; and

                           (b)      with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or
                                    series of related Affiliate Transactions
                                    involving aggregate consideration in excess
                                    of $5.0 million, an opinion as to the
                                    fairness to the Holders of the Securities of
                                    that Affiliate Transaction from a financial
                                    point of view issued by an accounting,
                                    appraisal or investment banking firm of
                                    national standing.

                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following items shall not
be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions:

                  (i)      customary directors' fees, indemnification or similar
                           arrangements or any employment agreement or other
                           compensation plan or arrangement entered into by the
                           Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the
                           ordinary course of business (including ordinary
                           course loans to employees not to exceed (1) $2.5
                           million outstanding in the aggregate at any time and
                           (2) $0.5 million to any one employee) and consistent
                           with the past practice of the Company or that
                           Restricted Subsidiary;

                  (ii)     transactions between or among the Company and/or its
                           Restricted Subsidiaries;

                  (iii)    payments of customary arms'-length fees by the
                           Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
                           investment banking firms, financial consultants and
                           financial advisors made for any financial advisory,
                           financing, underwriting or placement services or in
                           respect of other investment banking activities,
                           including, without limitation, in connection with
                           acquisitions or divestitures that are approved by a
                           majority of the Board of Directors in good faith;

                  (iv)     any agreement as in effect on the date of this
                           Indenture or any amendment thereto (so long as that
                           amendment is not more disadvantageous to the Holders
                           of the Securities in any material respect than the
                           original agreement as in effect on the Closing Date)
                           or any transaction contemplated thereby;

<PAGE>   46
                                      -38-

                  (v)      the issuance and sale of Equity Interests (other than
                           Disqualified Stock) of the Company for cash;

                  (vi)     payments pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement;

                  (vii)    transactions pursuant to loan documents between
                           RailAmerica de Chile, S.A. and the Company as in
                           effect on the date of this Indenture; and

                  (viii)   Restricted Payments that are permitted by the
                           provisions of this Indenture described under Section
                           4.06 and any Permitted Investments.

SECTION 4.04. LIMITATION ON INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED
              STOCK.

                  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue,
assume, Guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable,
contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, "INCUR") any
Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness); and the Company will not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of Preferred Stock;

                  PROVIDED that the Company or any Guarantor may incur
         Indebtedness, including Acquired Indebtedness, if the Fixed Charge
         Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently ended four full fiscal
         quarters for which internal financial statements are available
         immediately preceding the date on which that additional Indebtedness is
         incurred would have been at least (x) 2.25 to 1.0 in the case of any
         such incurrence or issuance occurring on or prior to the thirty-six
         month anniversary of the date of the indenture and (y) 2.5 to 1 in the
         case of any such incurrence or issuance that occurs thereafter, in each
         case determined on a consolidated pro forma basis, including a pro
         forma application of the net proceeds therefrom, as if the additional
         Indebtedness had been incurred at the beginning of that four-quarter
         period.

                  The provisions of the first paragraph of this Section 4.04
will not apply to the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness
(collectively, "PERMITTED INDEBTEDNESS"):

                  (i)      the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted
                           Subsidiary under the Senior Credit Facility; PROVIDED
                           that the aggregate principal amount of all
                           Indebtedness (with letters of credit being deemed to
                           have a principal amount equal to the maximum
                           potential liability of the Company and those
                           Guarantors thereunder) outstanding under the Senior
                           Credit Facility (together with any Indebtedness
                           incurred pursuant to clause (ii) below) does not
                           exceed an amount equal to $380 million LESS (x) the
                           amount of term Indebtedness repaid with the proceeds
                           of the initial offering of the Series A Securities
                           and (y) the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of
                           Asset Sales that have been applied by the Company or
                           any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of
                           this Indenture to repay any term Indebtedness under
                           the Senior Credit Facility pursuant to Section 4.05
                           of this Indenture and LESS the aggregate amount of
                           all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied by the
                           Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
                           repay any revolving credit Indebtedness under the
                           Senior Credit Facility and effect a corresponding
                           commitment reduction thereunder pursuant to Section
                           4.05 of this Indenture;

<PAGE>   47
                                      -39-

                  (ii)     the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted
                           Subsidiaries of Existing Indebtedness;

                  (iii)    the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness
                           represented by the Securities issued in the initial
                           offering of the Series A Securities on the date of
                           this Indenture (and new Securities issued in exchange
                           therefor) and this Indenture and the incurrence by
                           the Guarantors of the Guarantees;

                  (iv)     the incurrence by the Company or any of its
                           Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented
                           by Capital Expenditure Indebtedness, Capital Lease
                           Obligations or other obligations, in each case, the
                           proceeds of which are used solely for the purpose of
                           financing all or any part of the purchase price or
                           cost of construction or improvement of property,
                           plant or equipment (including acquisitions of Capital
                           Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted
                           Subsidiary to the extent of the fair market value of
                           the property, plant or equipment so acquired) used in
                           the business of the Company or that Restricted
                           Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount (or
                           accreted value, as applicable) not to exceed $10.0
                           million outstanding after giving effect to that
                           incurrence;

                  (v)      Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company
                           or any Restricted Subsidiary providing for
                           indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or
                           similar obligations, in each case, incurred or
                           assumed in connection with the disposition of any
                           business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than
                           Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person
                           acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets
                           or Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of financing
                           that acquisition; PROVIDED that:

                                    (1) that Indebtedness is not reflected on
                           the balance sheet of the Company or any Restricted
                           Subsidiary (contingent obligations referred to in a
                           footnote or footnotes to financing statements and not
                           otherwise reflected on the balance sheet will not be
                           deemed to be reflected on that balance sheet for
                           purposes of this clause (1)); and

                                    (2) the maximum assumable liability in
                           respect of that Indebtedness shall at no time exceed
                           the gross proceeds including non-cash proceeds (the
                           fair market value of those non-cash proceeds being
                           measured at the time received and without giving
                           effect to any subsequent changes in value) actually
                           received by the Company and/or that Restricted
                           Subsidiary in connection with that disposition;

                  (vi)     the incurrence by the Company or any of its
                           Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing
                           Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of
                           which are used to refund, refinance, defease or
                           replace Indebtedness (other than intercompany
                           Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to
                           be incurred;

                  (vii)    the incurrence by the Company or any of its
                           Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness
                           between or among the Company and/or any of its
                           Restricted Subsidiaries; PROVIDED that:

                                    (1) if the Company is the obligor on that
                           Indebtedness, that Indebtedness is expressly
                           subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of
                           all Obligations with respect to the Securities; and

<PAGE>   48
                                      -40-

                                    (2) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer
                           of Equity Interests that results in any such
                           Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the
                           Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof and (ii)
                           any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness
                           to a Person that is not either RailAmerica or a
                           Restricted Subsidiary thereof shall be deemed, in
                           each case, to constitute an incurrence of that
                           Indebtedness by the Company or that Restricted
                           Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not
                           permitted by this clause (vii);

                  (viii)   the incurrence by the Company or any of its
                           Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations that
                           are incurred for the purpose of fixing or hedging:

                                    (1) interest rate risk with respect to any
                           Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of this
                           Indenture to be outstanding;

                                    (2) exchange rate risk with respect to
                           agreements or Indebtedness of that Person payable
                           denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars;
                           and

                                    (3) risk with respect to fluctuations in the
                           cost of raw materials (including, without limitation,
                           fuel) used in the ordinary course of business;

                  PROVIDED that those agreements do not increase the
                  Indebtedness of the obligor outstanding at any time other than
                  as a result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange
                  rates, interest rates or the cost of raw materials or by
                  reason of fees, indemnities and compensation payable
                  thereunder;

                  (ix)     the Guarantee by the Company or any of its Restricted
                           Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of the Company or any
                           Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be
                           incurred by another provision of this Section 4.04;

                  (x)      obligations in respect of performance and surety
                           bonds and completion guarantees (including related
                           letters of credit), bankers' acceptances, workers'
                           compensation claims and payment obligations in
                           connection with self-insurance or similar obligations
                           provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
                           in the ordinary course of business and industrial
                           revenue bonds or other similar governmental or
                           municipal bonds; and

                  (xi)     the incurrence by the Company or any of its
                           Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in
                           an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as
                           applicable) outstanding after giving effect to that
                           incurrence, including all Permitted Refinancing
                           Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace
                           any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause
                           (xi), not to exceed $25.0 million.

                  For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.04:

                  o        in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the
                           criteria of more than one of the categories of
                           Permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (i)
                           through (xi) above or is entitled to be incurred
                           pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.04,
                           the Company shall, in its sole discretion, classify
                           that item of Indebtedness in any manner that

<PAGE>   49
                                      -41-

                           complies with this Section 4.04 and that item of
                           Indebtedness will be treated as having been incurred
                           pursuant to any one of those clauses or pursuant to
                           the first paragraph hereof and the Company may divide
                           and classify an item of Indebtedness under more than
                           one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness
                           described in clauses (i) through (xi); and

                  o        accrual of interest or dividends, accretion or
                           amortization of original issue discount will not be
                           deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for
                           purposes of this Section 4.04.

SECTION 4.05. LIMITATION ON CERTAIN ASSET SALES.

                  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

                    (1) the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
         may be, receives consideration at the time of that Asset Sale at least
         equal to the fair market value (evidenced by an Officers' Certificate
         delivered to the Trustee in the case of an Asset Sale with a fair
         market value less than $5.0 million and a resolution of the Board of
         Directors set forth in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the
         Trustee in the case of an Asset Sale with a fair market value greater
         than or equal to $5.0 million) of the assets or Equity Interests issued
         or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

                    (2) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by
         the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash
         Equivalents.

         For the purposes of this Section 4.05, each of the following shall be
deemed to be cash:

                  (i)      any liabilities, as shown on the Company's or the
                           Restricted Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet, of
                           the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than
                           contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by
                           their terms subordinated to the Securities or any
                           Guarantee thereof) that are assumed by the transferee
                           of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation
                           agreement that releases the Company or the Restricted
                           Subsidiary from further liability; and

                  (ii)     any securities, notes or other obligations received
                           by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary from the
                           transferee that are promptly converted (but in any
                           event within 90 days) of their receipt by the Company
                           or the Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash
                           Equivalents, but only to the extent of the cash or
                           Cash Equivalents received.

                  Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an
Asset Sale, the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall
apply the Net Proceeds, at its option, to:

                  (1) repay or purchase Senior Indebtedness or Pari Passu
         Indebtedness and, if the Indebtedness repaid is Indebtedness under a
         revolving line of credit, to correspondingly reduce commitments with
         respect thereto; PROVIDED that, if the Company shall elect to repay or
         purchase Pari Passu Indebtedness, the Company shall make an offer, in
         accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.08 of this
         Indenture, to all Holders of Securities to purchase Securities at a
         purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities,
         plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if

<PAGE>   50
                                      -42-

         any, thereon to the date of purchase (any such offer shall be on a
         ratable basis with the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness); or

                  (2) (a) an investment in property, the making of a capital
         expenditure or the acquisition of assets that are used or useful in a
         Permitted Business; or (b) the acquisition of Capital Stock of any
         Person primarily engaged in a Permitted Business if as a result of the
         acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, that
         Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary.

                  Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company
may temporarily reduce Indebtedness (including revolving indebtedness under the
Senior Credit Facility) or otherwise invest those Net Proceeds in any manner
that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

                  Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or
invested as provided in the first sentence of the second preceding paragraph
will be deemed to constitute "EXCESS PROCEEDS." When the aggregate amount of
Excess Proceeds exceeds $15.0 million, the Company will be required to make an
offer to all Holders of Securities (an "ASSET SALE OFFER") to purchase the
maximum principal amount of Securities (the "ASSET SALE OFFER AMOUNT") that,
together with all Pari Passu Indebtedness which the Company is concurrently
offering to repay or purchase, may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at
an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount
thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, to the
date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.08.

                  To the extent that any Excess Proceeds remain after
consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds
for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate
principal amount of Securities surrendered by Holders thereof in connection with
an Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall
select the Securities to be purchased as set forth under Section 3.02. Upon
completion of an offer to purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset
at zero.

                  The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1
under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder
to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
repurchase of the Securities pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that
the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the
provisions of this Indenture relating to an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will
comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be
deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue
thereof.

SECTION 4.06. LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.

                  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, (1) declare or pay any dividend or make
any other payment or distribution on account of the Company's or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries' Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any
payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) or
to the direct or indirect holders of the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries'
Equity Interests other than (x) dividends or distributions payable in Equity
Interests (other than Disqualified Stock of the Company) or (y) dividends or
distributions payable by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire
or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any
merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the
Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (other than any such
Equity Interests owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company); (3) make any principal payment on or with respect to, or purchase,
defease, redeem, prepay, decrease or otherwise acquire or retire for value,
prior to any scheduled final maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking
fund payment, any

<PAGE>   51
                                      -43-

Indebtedness of the Company that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to
the Securities except in accordance with the mandatory redemption or repayment
provisions set forth in the original documentation governing that Indebtedness
(but not pursuant to any mandatory offer to repurchase upon the occurrence of
any event); or (4) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other
actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred
to as "RESTRICTED PAYMENTS"), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to
such Restricted Payment:

                  (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
         continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; and

                  (b) the Company would, immediately after such Restricted
         Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if that Restricted
         Payment had been made at the beginning of the Company's most recently
         completed four full fiscal quarters, have been permitted to incur at
         least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge
         Coverage Ratio set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.04 of this
         Indenture; and

                  (c) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate
         amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its
         Restricted Subsidiaries after the date of this Indenture (excluding
         Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4) and (5) (ii) of
         the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum, without
         duplication, of:

                    (1) 50% of the aggregate Consolidated Net Income of the
         Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the
         beginning of the first full fiscal quarter commencing after the date of
         this Indenture to the end of the Company's most recently ended fiscal
         quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the
         time of that Restricted Payment (or, if Consolidated Net Income for
         that period is a deficit, less 100% of the deficit); plus

                    (2) 100% of the net cash proceeds received by the Company
         after the date of this Indenture from contributions to the Company's
         common equity or from the issue or sale after the date of this
         Indenture of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
         Company or of Disqualified Stock or convertible debt securities of the
         Company to the extent that they have been converted into such Equity
         Interests, other than (x) Equity Interests, Disqualified Stock or
         convertible debt securities sold to a Subsidiary of the Company; and
         (y) Disqualified Stock or convertible debt securities that have been
         converted into Disqualified Stock; PLUS

                    (3) without duplication, (i) to the extent that any
         Restricted Investment that was made after the date of this Indenture is
         sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, the lesser of
         (A) the cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted
         Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (B) the initial
         amount of such Restricted Investment; and (ii) the redesignation of
         Unrestricted Subsidiaries whose assets are used or useful in, or which
         is engaged in, one or more Permitted Business as Restricted
         Subsidiaries (valued, proportionate to the Company's equity interest in
         that Subsidiary, at the lesser of (a) the fair market value of the net
         assets of that Subsidiary at the time of that redesignation and (b) the
         initial amount of such Restricted Investment).

                  The foregoing provisions will not prohibit:

<PAGE>   52
                                      -44-

                  (1)      the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the
                           date of declaration thereof, if at said date of
                           declaration, such payment would comply with all the
                           provisions of this Indenture;

                  (2)      if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
                           and be continuing, the redemption, repurchase,
                           retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any
                           subordinated Indebtedness or Equity Interests of the
                           Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash
                           proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other
                           than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of other Equity
                           Interests of the Company (other than any Disqualified
                           Stock); PROVIDED that the amount of any such net cash
                           proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption,
                           repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other
                           acquisition shall be excluded from clause (c)(2) of
                           the preceding paragraph;

                  (3)      if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
                           and be continuing, the defeasance, redemption,
                           repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of
                           subordinated Indebtedness of the Company with the net
                           cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent sale
                           (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, or in
                           exchange for, subordinated Indebtedness;

                  (4)      the payment of dividends by a Restricted Subsidiary
                           on any class of common stock of that Restricted
                           Subsidiary if:

                           (i)      that dividend is paid pro rata to all
                                    holders of that class of common stock; and

                           (ii)     at least a majority of that class of common
                                    stock is held by the Company or one or more
                                    of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

                  (5)      (i) the payment of amounts to RailAmerica (directly
                           or through Palm Beach Rail Holding, Inc.) in an
                           amount necessary to enable RailAmerica to pay: (a)
                           the reasonable fees and expenses of its directors,
                           (b) the salaries, wages, employee benefits, insurance
                           and other direct expenses incurred in the ordinary
                           course of business of RailAmerica, (c) taxes in the
                           amounts set forth in the Tax Sharing Agreement, (d)
                           dividends and mandatory redemption with respect to
                           Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of RailAmerica
                           that is outstanding on the date of this Indenture,
                           (e) interest and principal, when due, on
                           RailAmerica's 6% junior convertible subordinated
                           debentures due 2004, (f) up to $2.0 million per
                           fiscal year to repurchase RailAmerica common stock
                           under its stock buyback program and (g) its public
                           company expenses, including legal fees, directors'
                           and officers' insurance costs, accounting fees,
                           financial advisory fees, investor relations costs,
                           directors' fees and printing fees and related
                           expenses, in each case of clauses (a), (b) and (g) in
                           an amount that substantially reflects the
                           contribution of the Company and its Subsidiaries to
                           the consolidated financial results of RailAmerica and
                           its subsidiaries and (ii) the payment of the Net
                           Proceeds from the sale of Quebec Railway Corporation
                           to Palm Beach Rail Holding, Inc. to the extent used
                           to repay Palm Beach Rail Holding, Inc.'s asset sale
                           bridge notes issued on February 4, 2000; and

<PAGE>   53
                                      -45-

                  (6)      if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
                           and be continuing, additional Restricted Payments in
                           an aggregate amount not to exceed $22.0 million;
                           PROVIDED, that no more than $20.0 million of
                           Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (6)
                           may be used to repay Palm Beach Rail Holding, Inc.'s
                           asset sale bridge notes issued on February 4, 2000.

                  The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall
be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s)
or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or that
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment.

                  The fair market value of any non-cash Restricted Payment shall
be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company whose resolution with
respect thereto shall be delivered to the Trustee. The Board of Directors'
determination must be based on an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting,
appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing if the fair market
value exceeds $5.0 million.

                  Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment
(other than a Restricted Payment made pursuant to Subsection (5)(i)), the
Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the
Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the
calculations required by this Section 4.06 were computed.

SECTION 4.07. CORPORATE EXISTENCE.

                  Subject to Article Five, the Company and the Guarantors shall
do or shall cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full
force and effect their respective corporate existence and the corporate,
partnership or other existence of each Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with
the respective organizational documents of each of them (as the same may be
amended from time to time) and the rights (charter and statutory) and material
franchises of the Company, the Guarantors and the Restricted Subsidiaries;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company and the Guarantors shall not be required to
preserve any such right or franchise, or the corporate existence of any
Restricted Subsidiary, if the Board of Directors or the board of directors of
the Guarantors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer
desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company, the Guarantors and the
Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not, and
will not be, adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

SECTION 4.08. PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER CLAIMS.

                  The Company and the Guarantors shall pay or discharge or cause
to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all
material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the
Company, the Guarantors or any Restricted Subsidiary or upon the income, profits
or property of the Company, the Guarantors or any Restricted Subsidiary and (2)
all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, in each case, if
unpaid, might by law become a material liability, or Lien upon the property, of
the Company, the Guarantors or any Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that neither the Company nor the Guarantors shall be required to pay or
discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or
claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and for which appropriate provision has been made.

<PAGE>   54
                                      -46-

SECTION 4.09. NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.

                  (a) In the event that any Indebtedness of the Company, the
Guarantors or any of their Subsidiaries is declared due and payable before its
maturity because of the occurrence of any default (or any event which, with
notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute such a default) under such
Indebtedness, the Company or the Guarantors shall promptly give written notice
to the Trustee of such declaration, the status of such default or event and what
action the Company or the Guarantors is taking or proposes to take with respect
thereto.

                  (b) Upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default,
the Company or the Guarantors shall promptly deliver an Officers' Certificate to
the Trustee specifying the Default or Event of Default.

SECTION 4.10. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES AND INSURANCE.

                  (a) The Company and the Guarantors shall cause all material
properties owned by or leased to either of them or any Restricted Subsidiary and
used or useful in the conduct of their business or the business of any
Restricted Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in normal condition, repair and
working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and shall cause to be
made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements
thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company or the Guarantors may be
necessary, so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly and advantageously conducted at all times; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
nothing in this Section 4.10 shall prevent the Company, the Guarantors or any
Restricted Subsidiary from discontinuing the use, operation or maintenance of
any of such properties, or disposing of any of them, if such discontinuance or
disposal is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors or of the board of
directors of the Guarantors or Restricted Subsidiary concerned, or of an officer
(or other agent employed by the Company, the Guarantors or any Restricted
Subsidiary) of the Company, the Guarantors or such Restricted Subsidiary having
managerial responsibility for any such property, desirable in the conduct of the
business of the Company, the Guarantors or any Restricted Subsidiary, and if
such discontinuance or disposal is not adverse in any material respect to the
Holders.

                  (b) The Company and the Guarantors shall maintain, and shall
cause the Restricted Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible
carriers against such risks and in such amounts, and with such deductibles,
retentions, self-insured amounts and co-insurance provisions, as are customarily
carried by similar businesses of similar size, including property and casualty
loss, and workers' compensation insurance.

SECTION 4.11. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE.

                  The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 90 days after
the close of each fiscal year a certificate signed by the principal executive
officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating
that a review of the activities of the Company has been made under the
supervision of the signing officers with a view to determining whether a Default
or Event of Default has occurred and whether or not the signers know of any
Default or Event of Default by the Company that occurred during such fiscal
year. If they do know of such a Default or Event of Default, the certificate
shall describe all such Defaults or Events of Default, their status and the
action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 4.12. PROVISION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

                  Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the
SEC, so long as any Securities are outstanding, RailAmerica shall furnish to the
Holders of Securities, if not then obtainable from the SEC:

<PAGE>   55
                                      -47-

                    (1) all quarterly and annual financial information that
         would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms
         10-Q and 10-K of RailAmerica with appropriate footnotes regarding the
         results of operations and financial position of the Company or if the
         Company were required to file those Forms, including a "Management's
         Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
         Operations" and, with respect to the annual information only, a report
         thereon by RailAmerica's certified independent accountants; and

                    (2) all current reports that would be required to be filed
         with the SEC on Form 8-K if RailAmerica were required to file those
         reports, in each case, within the time periods specified in the SEC's
         rules and regulations.

         In addition, following the consummation of the exchange offer
contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, whether or not required by
the rules and regulations of the SEC, RailAmerica will file a copy of all the
information and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC
for public availability within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and
regulations (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) and make that
information available to securities analysts and prospective investors upon
request. The Company shall at all times comply with TIA ss. 314(a).

         In addition, RailAmerica and the Guarantors agree that, for so long as
any Securities remain outstanding, they will furnish to the Holders and to
securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the
information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act.

SECTION 4.13. WAIVER OF STAY, EXTENSION OR USURY LAWS.

                  The Company and the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that
they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or
in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or
extension law or any usury law or other law, which would prohibit or forgive the
Company or such Guarantor from paying all or any portion of the principal of
and/or interest, if any, on the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the
performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that they may lawfully do so)
each of the Company and the Guarantor hereby expressly waives all benefit or
advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not hinder, delay or
impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall
suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had
been enacted.

SECTION 4.14. CHANGE OF CONTROL.

                  (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (the date of
such occurrence being the "CHANGE OF CONTROL TRIGGER DATE"), each Holder of
Securities shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all or any
part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder's
Securities pursuant to the offer described below (the "CHANGE OF CONTROL OFFER")
at an offer price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal thereof, plus
any accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of
purchase (the "CHANGE OF CONTROL PAYMENT").

                  Within 60 days following any Change of Control, the Company
will, or will cause the Trustee to, mail a notice to each Holder describing the
transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering
to repurchase Securities on the date specified in that notice, which date shall
be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date that notice
is mailed (the "CHANGE OF CONTROL PAYMENT DATE"),

<PAGE>   56
                                      -48-

pursuant to the procedures required by this Indenture and described in that
notice. Such notice shall state among other things:

                  (i)      that a Change of Control Offer is being made, the
                           length of time the Change of Control Offer shall
                           remain open and that all Securities tendered for
                           payment will be accepted for payment, and otherwise
                           subject to the terms and conditions set forth
                           therein;

                  (ii)     the purchase price and the Change of Control Payment
                           Date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no
                           later than 60 days from the date such notice is
                           mailed);

                  (iii)    that any Security not tendered will continue to
                           accrue interest;

                  (iv)     that any Security accepted for payment pursuant to
                           the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue
                           interest on and after the Change of Control Payment
                           Date;

                  (v)      that Holders accepting the Change of Control Offer
                           will be required to surrender the Securities to the
                           Paying Agent specified in the notice prior to the
                           close of business on the third Business Day preceding
                           the Change of Control Payment Date;

                  (vi)     that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their
                           acceptance if the Paying Agent receives, not later
                           than the close of business on the third Business Day
                           preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a
                           telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter
                           setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal
                           amount of the Securities delivered for purchase and a
                           statement that such Holder is withdrawing his
                           election to have such Securities purchased;

                  (vii)    that Holders whose Securities are being purchased
                           only in part will be issued new Securities equal in
                           principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the
                           Securities surrendered;

                  (viii)   any other procedures that a Holder must follow to
                           accept a Change of Control Offer or effect withdrawal
                           of such acceptance; and

                  (ix)     the name and address of the Paying Agent.

                  (b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall,
to the extent lawful, (1) accept for payment all Securities or portions thereof
properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; (2) deposit with the
Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all
Securities or portions thereof so tendered; and (3) deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Trustee the Securities so accepted together with an Officers'
Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities or portions
thereof being purchased by the Company. The Paying Agent will promptly mail to
each Holder of Securities so tendered the Change of Control Payment for that
Holder's Securities, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail or
cause to be transferred by book-entry to each Holder a new Security equal in
principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered, if
any; PROVIDED that each new Security will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or
an integral multiple thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of
the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of
Control Payment Date.

<PAGE>   57
                                      -49-

                  Prior to complying with the provisions of this Section 4.14,
but in any event within 90 days following a Change of Control, the Company shall
either repay all outstanding Senior Indebtedness or obtain the requisite
consents, if any, under all agreements governing outstanding Senior Indebtedness
to permit the repurchase of Securities required by this Section 4.14.

                  The Change of Control provisions described above will be
applicable whether or not any other provisions of this Indenture are applicable.
Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, this Indenture
does not contain provisions that permit the Holders of the Securities to require
that RailAmerica or the Company repurchase or redeem the Securities in the event
of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

                  The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control
Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control
Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the
requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer
made by the Company and purchases all Securities validly tendered and not
withdrawn under that Change of Control Offer.

                  The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control
Offer, as provided above, if, in connection with or in contemplation of a Change
of Control, it has made an offer to purchase (an "ALTERNATE OFFER") any and all
Securities validly tendered at a cash price equal to or greater than the Change
of Control offer price and has purchased all Securities properly tendered in
accordance with the terms of such Alternate Offer.

                  The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1
under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder
to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
repurchase of the Securities as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent
that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the
provisions of this Indenture relating to a Change of Control Offer, the Company
will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be
deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue
thereof.

SECTION 4.15. LIMITATION ON SENIOR SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS.

                  (a) The Company shall not incur any Indebtedness that would
rank both (1) senior in right of payment to the Securities and (2) subordinate
in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company; and

                  (b) no Guarantor that is a Restricted Subsidiary will incur
any Indebtedness that would rank both (1) senior in right of payment to that
Guarantor's Guarantee and (2) subordinate in right of payment to any other
Indebtedness of such Guarantor.

SECTION 4.16. LIMITATIONS ON DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING
              RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.

                  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or
suffer to exist or become effective, any consensual encumbrance or restriction
on the ability of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:

                  (1) (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the
         Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) on its Capital Stock
         or (ii) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or
         measured by, its profits; or

<PAGE>   58
                                      -50-

                      (b) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any
         Restricted Subsidiary,

                  (2) make loans or advances to the Company or any Restricted
         Subsidiary or

                  (3) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or
         any Restricted Subsidiary.

                  The foregoing restrictions will not apply to encumbrances or
restrictions existing under or by reason of:

                  (1) Existing Indebtedness as in effect as of the date of this
         Indenture;

                  (2) the Senior Credit Facility as in effect as of the date of
         this Indenture;

                  (3) this Indenture, the Securities and the Guarantees;

                  (4) Foreign Credit Facilities; PROVIDED that the Indebtedness
         incurred thereunder was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be
         incurred;

                  (5) applicable law and any applicable rule, regulation or
         order;

                  (6) any agreement or instrument governing Indebtedness or
         Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its
         Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of that acquisition
         (except to the extent created in contemplation of that acquisition),
         which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or
         the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the
         property or assets of the Person, so acquired; PROVIDED that, in the
         case of Indebtedness, that Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of
         this Indenture to be incurred;

                  (7) customary non-assignment provisions in leases entered into
         in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;

                  (8) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the
         ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature
         described in clause (6) above on the property so acquired;

                  (9) contracts for the sale of assets, including, without
         limitation, customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary
         pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or
         disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets
         of the Restricted Subsidiary;

                  (10) secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred
         pursuant to Sections 4.04 and 4.18 of this Indenture that limit the
         right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing that
         Indebtedness;

                  (11) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth
         imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary
         course of business;

                  (12) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and
         other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of
         business; and

<PAGE>   59
                                      -51-

                  (13) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness
         issued, assumed or incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in
         clauses (1), (2), (3), (4) or (6) above; PROVIDED that the restrictions
         contained in the agreements governing that Permitted Refinancing
         Indebtedness are, in the good faith judgment of the Company's Board of
         Directors, not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, to the
         Holders of the Securities than those contained in the agreements
         governing the Indebtedness being refinanced.

SECTION 4.17. DESIGNATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.

                  The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that
designation would not cause a Default or an Event of Default. If a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the
aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed
to be an Investment made as of the time of such designation and will either
reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of
Section 4.06 in this Indenture or reduce the amount available for future
Investments under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted
Investments, if applicable, as the Company shall determine. That designation
will only be permitted if such Investment would be permitted at that time and if
such Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted
Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may redesignate an Unrestricted Subsidiary to
be a Restricted Subsidiary if the redesignation would not cause a Default or an
Event of Default.

SECTION 4.18. LIMITATION ON LIENS.

                  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist any Lien, other than a Permitted Lien, that secures obligations
under any Pari Passu Indebtedness or subordinated Indebtedness of the Company,
on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or
convey any right to receive income therefrom, unless the Securities are equally
and ratably secured with the obligations so secured until such time as those
obligations are no longer secured by a Lien; PROVIDED that, in any case
involving a Lien securing subordinated Indebtedness of the Company, that Lien is
subordinated to the Lien securing the Securities at least to the same extent
that such subordinated Indebtedness is subordinated to the Securities.

SECTION 4.19. ADDITIONAL SECURITY GUARANTEES.

                  If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires
or creates another Domestic Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture or if
any Foreign Restricted Subsidiary issues a Guarantee in favor of the lenders
under the Senior Credit Facility (other than Guarantees by Canadian Subsidiaries
of borrowings under the Canadian revolving credit facility and Guarantees by
Australian Subsidiaries of borrowings under the Australian revolving credit
facility), such Subsidiary must become a Guarantor and execute a supplemental
indenture (the "OTHER COMPANY INDEBTEDNESS GUARANTEE") and deliver an Opinion of
Counsel to the Trustee within ten Business Days of the date on which it was
acquired or created or such other Guarantee is issued; PROVIDED that all
Subsidiaries that have been properly designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in
accordance with this Indenture shall not become Guarantors for so long as they
continue to constitute Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

                  Each Guarantee of the Securities created by a Restricted
Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions described in the foregoing paragraph shall
be in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee and shall provide, among
other things, that it will be automatically and unconditionally released and
discharged upon (i) any sale,

<PAGE>   60
                                      -52-

exchange or transfer permitted by this Indenture of (a) all of the Company's
Capital Stock in such Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Restricted Subsidiary and upon the
application of the Net Proceeds from such sale in accordance with the
requirements of Section 4.05 or (ii) the release or discharge of the Other
Company Indebtedness Guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee
of the Securities.

SECTION 4.20. BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.

                  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to
such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

SECTION 4.21. PAYMENTS FOR CONSENT.

                  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any
consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Securities for or as an
inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions
of this Indenture or the Securities unless such consideration is offered to be
paid or is paid to all Holders of the Securities that consent, waive or agree to
amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such
consent, waiver or agreement.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE

                         MERGERS; SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

SECTION 5.01. MERGERS, CONSOLIDATION AND SALE OF ASSETS.

                  The Company shall not consolidate or merge with or into
(whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or, directly or
indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related
transactions to, another Person unless:

                  (1) the Company is the surviving corporation or the Person
         formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than
         the Company) or to which that sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or
         other disposition shall have been made is a corporation organized or
         existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the
         District of Columbia;

                  (2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation
         or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which that sale,
         assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been
         made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Registration
         Rights Agreement, the Securities and this Indenture pursuant to a
         supplemental indenture in a form reasonably satisfactory to the
         Trustee;

                  (3) immediately after that transaction no Default or Event of
         Default exists; and

                  (4) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such
         consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which that
         sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition

<PAGE>   61
                                      -53-

         shall have been made, will, at the time of such transaction and after
         giving pro forma effect thereto as if the transaction had occurred at
         the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to
         incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed
         Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section
         4.04 of this Indenture.

                  The foregoing clause (4) will not prohibit:

                           (a)      a merger between the Company and a Wholly
                                    Owned Subsidiary of RailAmerica;

                           (b)      a merger between the Company and a Wholly
                                    Owned Restricted Subsidiary; or

                           (c)      a merger between the Company and an
                                    Affiliate incorporated solely for the
                                    purpose of reincorporating the Company in
                                    another State of the United States

so long as, in the case of clauses (a), (b) and (c), the amount of Indebtedness
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.

                  No Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into
another person or entity, whether or not the Guarantor is the surviving Person,
unless:

                  (1) subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the
         Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger, if
         other than the Company or the Guarantor, unconditionally assumes all
         the obligations of the Guarantor pursuant to a supplemental indenture
         in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee under this
         Indenture, the Guarantee and the Registration Rights Agreement; and

                  (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
         Default or Event of Default exists.

In the event of:

                  o        a sale or other disposition of all of the assets of a
                           Guarantor that is a Subsidiary, by way of merger,
                           consolidation or otherwise, if the Guarantor applies
                           the Net Proceeds of that sale in accordance with
                           Section 4.05 of this Indenture;

                  o        a sale or other disposition of all of the capital
                           stock of a Guarantor that is a Subsidiary, if the Net
                           Proceeds of that sale are applied in accordance with
                           Section 4.05 of this Indenture; or

                  o        the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is
                           a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in
                           accordance with the terms of this Indenture,

         that Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under
its Guarantee.

SECTION 5.02. SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED.

                  (a) In the event of any Disposition of the Company or the
Guarantors in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor corporation formed by
such consolidation or into which the Company or the Guarantors

<PAGE>   62
                                      -54-

is merged or to which such Disposition is made shall succeed to, and be
substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company or the
Guarantors under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor
corporation had been named as the Company or the Guarantors herein, and
thereafter the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all Obligations and
covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

                                   ARTICLE SIX

                         EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

                  Each of the following shall be an "EVENT OF DEFAULT" for
purposes of this Indenture:

                  (i)      a default for 30 days in the payment when due of
                           interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to,
                           the Securities (whether or not prohibited by the
                           subordination provisions of this Indenture);

                  (ii)     a default in payment when due of principal or
                           premium, if any, on the Securities (whether or not
                           prohibited by the subordination provisions of this
                           Indenture);

                  (iii)    failure by the Company or any of its Restricted
                           Subsidiaries for 30 days after receipt of notice from
                           the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in principal
                           amount of the Securities then outstanding to comply
                           with the provisions of Section 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.14
                           or 5.01;

                  (iv)     failure by the Company for 60 days after notice from
                           the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in
                           principal amount of the Securities then outstanding
                           to comply with any of its other agreements in this
                           Indenture or the Securities;

                  (v)      a default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument
                           under which there may be issued or by which there may
                           be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money
                           borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted
                           Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is Guaranteed
                           by the Company or any of its Restricted
                           Subsidiaries), whether that Indebtedness or Guarantee
                           now exists, or is created after the date of this
                           Indenture, which default:

                                    (a) is caused by a failure to pay
                           Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after
                           giving effect to any applicable grace period provided
                           in that Indebtedness) (a "PAYMENT DEFAULT"); or

                                    (b) results in the acceleration of that
                           Indebtedness prior to its stated final maturity and,
                           in each case, the principal amount of any such
                           Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of
                           any other such Indebtedness under which there has
                           been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has
                           been so accelerated, aggregated $10.0 million or
                           more;

<PAGE>   63
                                      -55-

                  (vi)     failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
                           pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $10.0
                           million (net of any amounts with respect to which a
                           reputable and creditworthy insurance company has
                           acknowledged liability in writing), which judgments
                           are not paid, discharged or stayed within a period of
                           60 days after such judgment or judgments become final
                           and non-appealable;

                  (vii)    except as permitted by this Indenture, any Guarantee
                           shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be
                           unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any
                           reason to be in full force and effect or any
                           Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any
                           Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations
                           under its Guarantee;

                  (viii)   the Company, the Guarantors or any of its Significant
                           Subsidiaries pursuant to or within the meaning of any
                           Bankruptcy Law: (I) commences a voluntary case, (II)
                           consents to the entry of an order for relief against
                           it in an involuntary case, (III) consents to the
                           appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or
                           substantially all of its property, (IV) makes a
                           general assignment for the benefit of its creditors,
                           or (V) generally is not paying its debts as they
                           become due; and

                  (ix)     a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or
                           decree under any Bankruptcy Law that: (I) is for
                           relief against the Company, the Guarantors or any of
                           its Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case,
                           (II) appoints a Custodian of the Company, the
                           Guarantors or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or
                           for all or substantially all of the property of the
                           Company, the Guarantors or any of its Significant
                           Subsidiaries, or (III) orders the liquidation of the
                           Company, the Guarantors or any of its Significant
                           Subsidiaries, and the order or decree remains
                           unstayed and in effect for 60 days.

                  The term "BANKRUPTCY LAW" means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any
similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term "CUSTODIAN"
means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any
Bankruptcy Law.

                  In the case of any Event of Default pursuant to paragraph (i)
or (ii) above occurring by reason of any willful action (or inactions) taken (or
not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding payment
of the premium that the Company would have to pay pursuant to a redemption of
Securities as described under Article Three, an equivalent premium shall also
become and be immediately, due and payable to the extent permitted by law.

SECTION 6.02. ACCELERATION.

                  If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default
specified in clauses (viii) and (ix) above with respect to events of bankruptcy
or insolvency with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary that is a
Significant Subsidiary) occurs and is continuing, the Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may direct the Trustee to
declare all the Securities to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such
declaration, the Securities shall become due and payable immediately. However,
so long as any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to the Senior
Credit Facility shall be outstanding, that acceleration shall not be effective
until the earlier of:

                  (1) an acceleration of any such Indebtedness under the Senior
         Credit Facility; and

<PAGE>   64
                                      -56-

                    (2) five Business Days after receipt by the Company and the
         administrative agent under the Senior Credit Facility of written notice
         of that acceleration.

                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of
Default specified in clauses (viii) and (ix) above with respect to events of
bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary that is a
Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Securities will become due and payable
without further action or notice. Holders of the Securities may not enforce this
Indenture or the Securities except as provided in this Indenture.

                  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
then outstanding Securities by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of
all of the Holders rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the
rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing
Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest or premium or
Liquidated Damages, if any, that has become due solely because of the
acceleration) have been cured or waived; PROVIDED that, in the event of a
declaration of acceleration of the Securities because an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing as a result of the acceleration of any Indebtedness
described in clause (v) above, the declaration of acceleration of the Securities
shall be automatically annulled if the Holders of any Indebtedness described in
that clause (v) have rescinded the declaration of acceleration in respect of
that Indebtedness within 30 days of the date of that declaration and if:

                  (1) the annulment of the acceleration of the Securities would
         not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent
         jurisdiction; and

                  (2) all existing Events of Default (except non-payment of
         principal or interest on the Securities that became due solely because
         of the acceleration of the Securities) have been cured or waived.

SECTION 6.03. OTHER REMEDIES.

                  If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee
may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the
payment of principal of or interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the
Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or
this Indenture.

                  The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not
possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.
A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right
or remedy maturing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy
or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is
exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative to the
extent permitted by law.

SECTION 6.04. WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULT.

                  Subject to Sections 2.09, 6.07 and 10.02, prior to the
declaration of acceleration of the Securities, the Holders of not less than a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities by written
notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its
consequences under this Indenture, except a continuing Default or Event of
Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest or
Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Security or a Default or Event of Default in
respect of any term or provision of this Indenture that may not be amended or
modified without the consent of each Holder affected as provided in Section
10.02 (and except for any failure to pay any amount owing to the Trustee, or
waiver of any covenant or other provision for the personal protection of the
Trustee, without the Trustee's consent). The Company shall deliver to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the requisite percentage of
Holders have

<PAGE>   65
                                      -57-

consented to such waiver and attaching copies of such consents. In case of any
such waiver, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored to their
former positions and rights hereunder and under the Securities, respectively.
This paragraph of this Section 6.04 shall be in lieu of ss. 316(a)(1)(B) of the
TIA and such ss. 316(a)(1)(B) of the TIA is hereby expressly excluded from this
Indenture and the Securities, as permitted by the TIA.

                  Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist and be
deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred, and any Event of Default
arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred
for every purpose of this Indenture and the Securities, but no such waiver shall
extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any
right consequent thereon.

SECTION 6.05. CONTROL BY MAJORITY.

                  Subject to Section 2.09, the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Securities may direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or
exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse
to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that the
Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another
Securityholder, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee
which is not inconsistent with such direction. The trustee may withhold from
Holders of the Securities notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default
(except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or
interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. In the
event the Trustee takes any action or follows any direction pursuant to this
Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it
in its sole discretion against any loss or expense caused by taking such action
or following such direction. This Section 6.05 shall be in lieu of ss.
316(a)(1)(A) of the TIA, and such ss. 316(a)(1)(A) of the TIA is hereby
expressly excluded from this Indenture and the Securities, as permitted by the
TIA.

SECTION 6.06. LIMITATION ON SUITS.

                  A Securityholder may not pursue any remedy with respect to
this Indenture or the Securities unless:

                  (i)      the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a
                           continuing Event of Default;

                  (ii)     the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
                           amount of the outstanding Securities make a written
                           request to the Trustee to pursue a remedy;

                  (iii)    such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested,
                           provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the
                           Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

                  (iv)     the Trustee does not comply with the request within
                           60 days after receipt of the request and the offer
                           and, if requested, the provision of indemnity; and

                  (v)      during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority
                           in principal amount of the outstanding Securities do
                           not give the Trustee a direction which, in the
                           opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with the
                           request.

<PAGE>   66
                                      -58-

                  A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the
rights of another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over such
other Securityholder.

SECTION 6.07. RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT.

                  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the
right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of or interest or Liquidated
Damages, if any, on a Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed
in the Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or
after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the
consent of the Holder.

SECTION 6.08. COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE.

                  If an Event of Default in payment of principal or premium, if
any, or interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, specified in Section 6.01(i) or
(ii) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name
and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or the Guarantors or any
other obligor on the Securities for the whole amount of principal and premium,
if any, and accrued interest remaining unpaid, and Liquidated Damages, if any,
together with interest overdue on principal and to the extent that payment of
such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each
case at the rate PER ANNUM borne by the Securities and such further amount as
shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel.

SECTION 6.09. TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.

                  The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or
documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the
Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or
the Guarantors (or any other obligor upon the Securities), any of their
respective creditors or any of their respective property and shall be entitled
and empowered to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any Custodian in
any such judicial proceedings is hereby authorized by each Securityholder to
make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall
consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay
to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agent and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be
deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on
behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment
or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or
to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder
in any such proceeding.

SECTION 6.10. PRIORITIES.

                  If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this
Article Six, subject to the provisions of Articles Eight and Twelve, it shall
pay out the money or property in the following order:

                  First: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

                  Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the
         Securities for principal, premium, if any, or Liquidated Damages, if
         any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind,
         according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities for
         principal and interest, respectively; and

<PAGE>   67
                                      -59-

                  Third: to the Company or, to the extent the Trustee collects
         any amount from the Guarantors, to the Guarantors.

                  The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix
a record date and payment date for any payment to Securityholders pursuant to
this Section 6.10.

SECTION 6.11. UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS.

                  In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under
this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or
omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by
any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit,
and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit,
having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by
the party litigant. This Section 6.11 shall not apply to a suit by the Trustee,
a suit by a Holder or group of Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Securities, or to any suit instituted by any Holder
for the enforcement or the payment of the principal of or interest or premium or
Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Securities on or after the respective due
dates expressed in the Security.

                                  ARTICLE SEVEN

                                     TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01. DUTIES OF TRUSTEE.

                  (a) If a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in
it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise
as a prudent Person would exercise or use under similar circumstances in the
conduct of his own affairs.

                  (b) Except during the continuance of a Default or Event of
Default:

                    (1) The Trustee shall not be liable except for the
         performance of such duties as are specifically set forth herein; and

                    (2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
         conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
         correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or
         opinions conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in
         the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision
         hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the
         Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine
         whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

                  (c) The Trustee shall not be relieved from liability for its
own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:

                    (1) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph
(b) of this Section 7.01;

<PAGE>   68
                                      -60-

                    (2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
         judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved
         that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

                    (3) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
         action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a
         direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.

                  (d) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee
to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in
the performance of any of its duties hereunder or to take or omit to take any
action under this Indenture or take any action at the request or direction of
Holders if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such
funds is not assured to it or it does not receive from such Holders an indemnity
satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against such risk, liability, loss,
fee or expense which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or
direction.

                  (e) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates
to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section
7.01.

                  (f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.
Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds
except to the extent required by law.

SECTION 7.02. RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

                  Subject to Section 7.01:

                  (a) The Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to be
         genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The
         Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

                  (b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may
         require an Officers' Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel or both,
         which shall conform to the provisions of Section 13.05. The Trustee
         shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good
         faith in reliance on such Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

                  (c) The Trustee may act through attorneys and agents of its
         selection and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence
         of any agent or attorney (other than an agent who is an employee of the
         Trustee) appointed with due care.

                  (d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or
         omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be
         authorized or within its rights or powers conferred upon it by this
         Indenture.

                  (e) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice or
         opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete
         authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action
         taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in
         accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

                  (f) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein
         shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order
         and any request or direction of the Guarantors mentioned herein shall
         be sufficiently evidenced if signed by an officer of the Guarantors.

<PAGE>   69
                                      -61-

                  (g) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
         of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request
         or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to this Indenture,
         unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee
         reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and
         liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such
         request or direction.

                  (h) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
         into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate,
         statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
         consent, order, bond, debenture, security, other evidence of
         indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its
         discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such
         facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine
         to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to
         examine the books, records and premises of the Company or the
         Guarantors, personally or by agent or attorney.

                  (i) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any
         Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual
         knowledge thereof or unless the Trustee shall have received written
         notice thereof at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such
         notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

                  (j) Permissive rights or powers available to the Trustee
         hereunder shall not be assumed to be mandatory duties or obligations.

SECTION 7.03. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

                  The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become
the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or
its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee,
subject to Section 7.10 hereof. Any Agent may do the same with like rights.
However, the Trustee is subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

SECTION 7.04. TRUSTEE'S DISCLAIMER.

                  The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no
representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the
Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company's use of the proceeds
from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the
Company or the Guarantors in this Indenture or any document issued in connection
with the sale of Securities or any statement in the Securities other than the
Trustee's certificate of authentication.

SECTION 7.05. NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.

                  The Company shall deliver to the Trustee annually a statement
regarding compliance with this Indenture and, upon an Officer of the Company
becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, a statement specifying such
Default or Event of Default. If a Default or an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing and the Trustee knows of such Default or Event of Default, the
Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder notice of the Default or Event of
Default within 90 days after the occurrence thereof. Except in the case of a
Default or an Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to
the payment of principal or interest) on any Security or a Default or Event of
Default in complying with Section 5.01 hereof, the Trustee may withhold the
notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith
determines that withholding the notice is in the interest of Securityholders.
This Section 7.05 shall be in lieu of the proviso to ss. 315(b) of the TIA and

<PAGE>   70
                                      -62-

such proviso to ss. 315(b) of the TIA is hereby expressly excluded from this
Indenture and the Securities, as permitted by the TIA.

SECTION 7.06. REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS.

                  If required by TIA ss. 313(a), within 60 days after each
August 1 beginning with August 1, 2001 following the date of this Indenture, the
Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder a report dated as of such August 1
that complies with TIA ss. 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA ss.
313(b), (c) and (d).

                  A copy of each such report at the time of its mailing to
Securityholders shall be filed with the Commission and each stock exchange, if
any, on which the Securities are listed.

                  The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing if
the Securities become listed on any stock exchange or of any delisting thereof.

SECTION 7.07. COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY.

                  The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall
pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as the Company and the
Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing for its services. The Trustee's
compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an
express trust. The Company and the Guarantors shall reimburse the Trustee upon
request for all reasonable disbursements, expenses and advances (including fees,
disbursements and expenses of its agents and counsel) incurred or made by it in
addition to the compensation for its services except any such disbursements,
expenses and advances as may be attributable to the Trustee's negligence or bad
faith. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements
and expenses of the Trustee's agents, accountants, experts and counsel and any
taxes or other expenses incurred by a trust created pursuant to Section 9.01
hereof.

                  The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall
indemnify the Trustee for, and hold it harmless against any and all loss,
damage, claims, liability or expense, including taxes (other than franchise
taxes imposed on the Trustee and taxes based upon, measured by or determined by
the income of the Trustee), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance
or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and
expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with
the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to
the extent that such loss, damage, claim, liability or expense is due to its own
negligence or bad faith. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any
claim asserted against the Trustee for which it may seek indemnity. However, the
failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company or
the Guarantors of their respective obligations hereunder. The Company and the
Guarantors shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense
(and may employ its own counsel) at the Company's and the Guarantors' expense;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company's and the Guarantors' reimbursement
obligation with respect to counsel employed by the Trustee will be limited to
the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.

                  The Company and the Guarantors need not pay for any settlement
made without their written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld. The Company and the Guarantors need not reimburse any expense or
indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee as a result of
the violation of this Indenture by the Trustee.

                  To secure the Company's and the Guarantors' payment
obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the
Securities against all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, in

<PAGE>   71
                                      -63-

its capacity as Trustee, except money or property held in trust to pay principal
of or premium, if any, or interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on particular
Securities or the purchase price or redemption price of any Securities to be
purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer or Change of Control Offer or
redeemed.

                  When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an
Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(viii) or (ix) occurs, the expenses
(including the reasonable fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) and the
compensation for the services shall be preferred over the status of the Holders
in a proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law and are intended to constitute expenses
of administration under any Bankruptcy Law. The Company's and the Guarantors'
obligations under this Section 7.07 and any claim arising hereunder shall
survive the resignation or removal of any Trustee, the discharge of the
Company's and the Guarantor's obligations pursuant to Article Nine and any
rejection or termination under any Bankruptcy Law.

SECTION 7.08. REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE.

                  The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company
in writing. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in
writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with the Company's consent. The
Company may remove the Trustee if:

                  (1)      the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

                  (2)      the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent
                           under any Bankruptcy Law;

                  (3)      a custodian or other public officer takes charge of
                           the Trustee or its property; or

                  (4)      the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

                  If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in
the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred
to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a
successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities may appoint a
successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

                  A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. As promptly as
practicable after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer, after payment of
all sums then owing to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.07, all property held
by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided in
Section 7.07, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become
effective, and the successor Trustee shall have the rights, powers and duties of
the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail notice of its
succession to each Securityholder.

                  If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days
after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the
Company or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

                  If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any
Securityholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal
of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

<PAGE>   72
                                      -64-

                  Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this
Section 7.08, the Company's and the Guarantor's obligations under Section 7.07
shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

SECTION 7.09. SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC.

                  If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or
transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another
corporation or banking corporation, the resulting, surviving or transferee
corporation or banking corporation without any further act shall be the
successor Trustee.

                  In case at the time such successor or successors by merger,
conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created
by this Indenture any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not
delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of
authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so
authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have
been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such
Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the
successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the
full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided
that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

SECTION 7.10. ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION.

                  This Indenture shall always have a Trustee which shall be
eligible to act as Trustee under TIA ss.ss. 310(a)(1) and 310(a)(2). The Trustee
shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth
in its most recent published annual report of condition. If the Trustee has or
shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of TIA ss. 310(b),
the Trustee and the Company shall comply with the provisions of TIA ss. 310(b);
PROVIDED, HOWEVer, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA ss.
310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or
certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are
outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA ss.
310(b)(1) are met. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.10, the Trustee shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinbefore specified in this
Article Seven.

SECTION 7.11. PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY.

                  The Trustee shall comply with TIA ss. 311(a), excluding any
creditor relationship listed in TIA ss. 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or
been removed shall be subject to TIA ss. 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

                                  ARTICLE EIGHT

                           SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 8.01. SECURITIES SUBORDINATED TO SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.

                  The Company and the Guarantors covenant and agree, and the
Trustee and each Holder of the Securities by his acceptance thereof likewise
covenant and agree, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the
provisions of this Article Eight; and each person holding any Security, whether
upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts
and agrees that all payments of the principal of and interest

<PAGE>   73
                                      -65-

and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities by the Company or the
Guarantors shall, to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Article
Eight, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in
full in cash or Cash Equivalents of all amounts payable under Senior
Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter
incurred.

SECTION 8.02. NO PAYMENT ON SECURITIES IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

                  (a) The Company may not make any payment or distribution to
the Trustee or any Holder upon or in respect of the Subordinated Note
Obligations (except that Holders of Securities may receive payments in Permitted
Junior Securities or made from the defeasance trust described under Section
9.04) until all Obligations with respect to Senior Indebtedness have been paid
in full in cash or Cash Equivalents, if (i) a default in the payment of the
principal (including reimbursement obligations in respect to letters of credit)
of, premium, if any, or interest on or commitment, letter of credit or
administrative fees relating to, Designated Senior Indebtedness occurs and is
continuing beyond any applicable period of grace or (ii) any other default
occurs and is continuing with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness that
permits holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness as to which such default
relates to accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives a written notice
(with a copy to the Company) of such other default (a "PAYMENT BLOCKAGE NOTICE")
from the Company or the holders of any Designated Senior Indebtedness. Payments
on the Securities may and shall be resumed (a) in the case of a payment default,
upon the date on which such default is cured or waived and (b) in case of a
nonpayment default, the earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is
cured or waived or 179 days after the date on which the applicable Payment
Blockage Notice is received by the Trustee (such period being referred to herein
as the "PAYMENT BLOCKAGE PERIOD"), unless a payment default on Designated Senior
Indebtedness then exists. No new Payment Blockage Period may be commenced unless
and until 360 days have elapsed since the date of receipt by the Trustee of the
immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice. No nonpayment default that existed or
was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the
Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice
unless such default shall have been waived or cured for a period of not less
than 90 days.

                  (b) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any
payment shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder when such payment is
prohibited by Section 8.02(a), such payment shall be held in trust for the
benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Designated
Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or
trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Designated Senior
Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but
only to the extent that, upon notice from the Trustee to the holders of
Designated Senior Indebtedness that such prohibited payment has been made, the
holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or
representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing of the amounts then
due and owing on the Designated Senior Indebtedness, if any, and only the
amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of
Designated Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 8.03. PAYMENT OVER OF PROCEEDS UPON DISSOLUTION, ETC.

                  (a) Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company in a
liquidation or dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization,
insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its
property, an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any marshaling of the
assets and liabilities of the Company, (1) the holders of Senior Indebtedness
shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash or Cash Equivalents of all
Obligations due in respect of such Senior Indebtedness (including interest after
the commencement of any such proceeding, whether or not allowable as a claim in
any such proceeding, at the rate specified in the applicable Senior
Indebtedness) before the Holders of Securities shall be entitled to receive any

<PAGE>   74
                                      -66-

payment with respect to the Subordinated Note Obligations under the Securities,
and (2) until all Obligations with respect to Senior Indebtedness are paid in
full in cash or Cash Equivalents, any distribution to which the Holders of
Securities would be entitled shall be made to holders of Senior Indebtedness.
However, Holders of Securities may receive and retain Permitted Junior
Securities and payments made from the defeasance trust described in Section
9.04.

                  (b) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provision
prohibiting such payment or distribution, any payment or distribution of assets
or securities of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property
or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder of Securities at a
time when such payment or distribution is prohibited by Section 8.03(a) and
before all obligations in respect of Senior Indebtedness are paid in full in
cash or Cash Equivalents, or payment provided for, such payment or distribution
shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over
or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness (PRO RATA to such holders on
the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders)
or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees or agent or
agents under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may
have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, for application to
the payment of Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior
Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash after giving effect to any prior or
concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness.

                  The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the
Company with or into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of
the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety,
or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and
conditions provided in Article Five shall not be deemed a dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 8.03
if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger,
conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article Five.

SECTION 8.04. SUBROGATION.

                  Upon the payment in full in cash or Cash Equivalents of all
Senior Indebtedness, or provision for payment, the Holders of the Securities
shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to
receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company
made on such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of and interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities shall be paid in full in cash;
and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the
holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which
the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled
except for the provisions of this Article Eight, and no payment over pursuant to
the provisions of this Article Eight to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by
Holders of the Securities or the Trustee on their behalf shall, as between the
Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the
Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on
account of the Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this
Article Eight are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the
relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the
holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

                  If any payment or distribution to which the Holders of the
Securities would otherwise have been entitled but for the provisions of this
Article Eight shall have been applied, pursuant to the provisions of this
Article Eight, to the payment of all amounts payable under Senior Indebtedness,
then and in such case, the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to
receive from the holders of such Senior Indebtedness any payments or
distributions received by such holders of Senior Indebtedness in excess of the
amount required to make payment in full, or provision for payment, of such
Senior Indebtedness.

<PAGE>   75
                                      -67-

SECTION 8.05. OBLIGATIONS OF COMPANY UNCONDITIONAL.

                  Nothing contained in this Article Eight or elsewhere in this
Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the
Company and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the
principal of and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities as
and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms,
or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the
Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Holder of any
Security or the Trustee on their behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise
permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the
rights, if any, under this Article Eight of the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received
upon the exercise of any such remedy.

                  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing
contained in this Article Eight shall restrict the right of the Trustee or the
Holders of Securities to take any action to declare the Securities to be due and
payable prior to their stated maturity pursuant to Section 6.01 or to pursue any
rights or remedies hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that all Senior Indebtedness
then due and payable shall first be paid in full before the Holders of the
Securities or the Trustee are entitled to receive any direct or indirect payment
from the Company of principal of or interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on
the Securities.

SECTION 8.06. NOTICE TO TRUSTEE.

                  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of
any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to
or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of
this Article Eight. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the
existence of any event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness or of
any other facts which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the
Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall have received notice in writing at
its Corporate Trust Office to that effect signed by an Officer of the Company,
or by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or trustee or agent therefor; and prior to
the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall, subject to Article
Seven, be entitled to assume that no such facts exist; PROVIDED that if the
Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 8.06 at
least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms of this
Indenture any moneys shall become payable for any purpose (including, without
limitation, the payment of the principal of or interest or Liquidated Damages,
if any, on any Security), then, regardless of anything herein to the contrary,
the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive any moneys from the
Company and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and
shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it
on or after such prior date. Nothing contained in this Section 8.06 shall limit
the right of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to recover payments as
contemplated by Section 8.03. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the
delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself or itself to
be a holder of any Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of, or other
representative of, such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by
a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee or representative on behalf of
any such holder.

                  In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that
any evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of
Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to
this Article Eight, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to
the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior
Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to
participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the
rights of such Person

<PAGE>   76
                                      -68-

under this Article Eight, and if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may
defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right
of such Person to receive such payment.

SECTION 8.07. RELIANCE ON JUDICIAL ORDER OR CERTIFICATE OF LIQUIDATING AGENT.

                  Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities
referred to in this Article Eight, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities
shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of
competent jurisdiction in which bankruptcy, dissolution, winding-up, liquidation
or reorganization proceedings are pending, or upon a certificate of the
receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person
making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders
of the Securities for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to
participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and
other Indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the
amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent
thereto or to this Article Eight.

SECTION 8.08. TRUSTEE'S RELATION TO SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.

                  The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall be entitled to all the
rights set forth in this Article Eight with respect to any Senior Indebtedness
which may at any time be held by it in its individual or any other capacity to
the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this
Indenture shall deprive the Trustee or any Paying Agent of any of its rights as
such holder.

                  With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the
Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and
obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article Eight, and no implied
covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness
shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be
deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (except
as provided in Section 8.03(b)). The Trustee shall not be liable to any such
holders if the Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to
Holders of Securities or to the Company or to any other person cash, property or
securities to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by
virtue of this Article Eight or otherwise.

SECTION 8.09. SUBORDINATION RIGHTS NOT IMPAIRED BY ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF THE
              COMPANY OR HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.

                  No right of any present or future holders of any Senior
Indebtedness to enforce subordination as provided herein shall at any time in
any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of
the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder,
or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms of this Indenture,
regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise
be charged with. The provisions of this Article Eight are intended to be for the
benefit of, and shall be enforceable directly by, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness.

SECTION 8.10. SECURITYHOLDERS AUTHORIZE TRUSTEE TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION OF
              SECURITIES.

                  Each Holder of Securities by his acceptance of such Securities
authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee on its or his behalf to take such
action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination
provided in this Article Eight, and appoints the Trustee its or his
attorney-in-fact for such purposes, including, in the event of any dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company (whether in bankruptcy,
insolvency, receivership, reorganization or similar proceedings or upon an
assignment for the

<PAGE>   77
                                      -69-

benefit of creditors or otherwise) tending towards liquidation of the business
and assets of the Company, the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of its
or his Securities in the form required in those proceedings.

SECTION 8.11. THIS ARTICLE NOT TO PREVENT EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

                  The failure to make a payment on account of principal of or
interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities by reason of any
provision of this Article Eight shall not be construed as preventing the
occurrence of an Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (ii) of Section
6.01.

SECTION 8.12. TRUSTEE'S COMPENSATION NOT PREJUDICED.

                  Nothing in this Article Eight shall apply to amounts due to
the Trustee pursuant to other sections in this Indenture.

SECTION 8.13. NO WAIVER OF SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS.

                  Without in any way limiting the generality of Section 8.09,
the holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time,
without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the
Securities, without incurring responsibility to the Holders of the Securities
and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article
Eight or the obligations hereunder of the Holders of the Securities to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (a) change
the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew
or alter, Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any
agreement under which Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or secured; (b) sell,
exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or
otherwise securing Senior Indebtedness; (c) release any Person liable in any
manner for the collection of Senior Indebtedness; and (d) exercise or refrain
from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.

SECTION 8.14. SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS NOT APPLICABLE TO COLLATERAL HELD IN
              TRUST FOR SECURITYHOLDERS; PAYMENTS MAY BE PAID PRIOR TO
              DISSOLUTION.

                  All money and Government Securities deposited in trust with
the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article Nine shall be for the
sole benefit of the Holders and shall not be subject to this Article Eight.

                  Nothing contained in this Article Eight or elsewhere in this
Indenture shall prevent (i) the Company, except under the conditions described
in Section 8.02, from making payments of principal of and interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities, or from depositing with the
Trustee any moneys for such payments or from effecting a termination of the
Company's and the Guarantor's obligations under the Securities and this
Indenture as provided in Article Nine, or (ii) the application by the Trustee of
any moneys deposited with it for the purpose of making such payments of
principal of and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities, to
the Holders entitled thereto unless at least two Business Days prior to the date
upon which such payment becomes due and payable, the Trustee shall have received
the written notice provided for in Section 8.02(b) or in Section 8.06. The
Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company.

<PAGE>   78
                                      -70-

SECTION 8.15. ACCELERATION OF SECURITIES.

                  If payment of the Securities is accelerated because of an
Event of Default, the Company shall promptly notify holders of the Senior
Indebtedness of the acceleration.

                                  ARTICLE NINE

                       DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

SECTION 9.01. DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.

                  The Company and the Guarantors may terminate their Obligations
under the Securities, the Guarantees and this Indenture, except the obligations
referred to in the last paragraph of this Section 9.01, if there shall have been
cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all
Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Securities
that are asserted to have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that shall have
been replaced as provided in Section 2.07) and the Company has paid all sums
payable by it hereunder or deposited all required sums with the Trustee.

                  After such delivery the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge
in writing the discharge of the Company's and the Guarantors' Obligations under
the Securities, the Guarantees and this Indenture except for those surviving
obligations specified below.

                  Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture, the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors in Sections 7.07,
9.05 and 9.06 hereof shall survive.

SECTION 9.02. LEGAL DEFEASANCE.

                  The Company may at its option and at any time by resolution of
the Board of Directors, be discharged from its Obligations with respect to the
outstanding Securities and this Indenture and the Guarantors discharged from
their Obligations under the Guarantee and this Indenture on the date the
conditions set forth in Section 9.04 below are satisfied (hereinafter, the
"LEGAL DEFEASANCE OPTION"). For this purpose, exercise of such Legal Defeasance
Option means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the
entire indebtedness represented by the Securities and to have satisfied all its
other Obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such
Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall,
subject to Section 9.06 hereof, execute proper instruments acknowledging the
same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated
or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities to
receive solely from the trust funds described in Section 9.04 hereof and as more
fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on such Securities
when such payments are due, (B) the Company's obligations with respect to such
Securities under Article Two and Section 4.02, (C) the rights, powers, trusts,
duties, and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (including claims of, or
payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof), and the
Company's obligations in connection therewith and (D) this Article Nine. Subject
to compliance with this Article Nine, the Company may exercise its Legal
Defeasance Option under this Section 9.02 with respect to the Securities
notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 9.03 below with
respect to the Securities. If the Company exercises its Legal Defeasance Option,
payment of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default
with respect thereto.

<PAGE>   79
                                      -71-

SECTION 9.03. COVENANT DEFEASANCE.

                  At the option of the Company, pursuant to a resolution of the
Board of Directors, the Company and the Guarantors shall be released from their
respective Obligations under Sections 4.03 through 4.21, clauses (3) and (4) of
paragraph (a) of Section 5.01, and paragraphs (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) of
Section 6.01, with respect to the outstanding Securities on and after the date
the conditions set forth in Section 9.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter,
"COVENANT DEFEASANCE OPTION"). For this purpose, exercise of such Covenant
Defeasance Option means that the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply
with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation
set forth in any such specified Section or portion thereof, whether directly or
indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such specified
Section or portion thereof or by reason of any reference in any such specified
Section or portion thereof to any other provision herein or in any other
document, but the remainder of this Indenture and the Securities shall be
unaffected thereby. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not
including non-payment with respect to the Securities, bankruptcy, receivership,
rehabilitation and insolvency events) described under Section 6.01 will no
longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Securities. If the
Company exercises the Covenant Defeasance Option, payment of the Securities
shall not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in paragraphs
(iii), (iv), (v) or (vi) of Section 6.01 or because of the Company's failure to
comply with clauses (3) and (4) under paragraph (a) of Section 5.01.

SECTION 9.04. CONDITIONS TO LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE.

                  The following shall be the conditions to application of
Section 9.02 or Section 9.03 hereof to the outstanding Securities:

                  (1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee (or
         another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10 who shall
         agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Nine applicable to
         it) as funds in trust (the "DEFEASANCE TRUST") for the purpose of
         making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for,
         and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities,
         cash in United States dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a
         combination thereof, in those amounts as will be sufficient, in the
         opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public
         accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and
         Liquidated Damages, if any, on the outstanding Securities on the stated
         maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and
         the Company must specify whether the Securities are being defeased to
         maturity or to a particular redemption date;

                  (2) in the case of an election under Section 9.02 above, the
         Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in
         the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

                           (a) the Company has received from, or there has been
                  published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

                           (b) since the date of this Indenture, there has been
                  a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

                  in either case to the effect that, and based thereon that
                  Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary
                  assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the outstanding
                  Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal
                  income tax purposes as a result of that Legal

<PAGE>   80
                                      -72-

                  Defeasance Option and will be subject to federal income tax on
                  the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as
                  would have been the case if that Legal Defeasance Option had
                  not occurred;

                  (3) in the case of an election under Section 9.03 above, the
         Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in
         the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that,
         subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the
         outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for
         federal income tax purposes as a result of that Covenant Defeasance
         Option and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts,
         in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
         that Covenant Defeasance Option had not occurred;

                  (4) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
         continuing on the date of that deposit (other than a Default or Event
         of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to that
         deposit);

                  (5) such Legal Defeasance Option or Covenant Defeasance Option
         shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default
         under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture)
         to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which
         the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

                  (6) the Company must have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion
         of Counsel to the effect that, subject to customary assumptions and
         exclusions, after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds
         will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the United States
         Bankruptcy Code or any analogous New York State law provision or any
         other applicable federal or New York bankruptcy, insolvency,
         reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally;

                  (7) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
         Certificate stating that the deposit under clause (1) was not made by
         the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Securities
         over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating,
         hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others;
         and

                  (8) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
         Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which opinion may be subject to
         customary assumptions and exclusions), each stating that all conditions
         precedent provided for relating to the Legal Defeasance Option or the
         Covenant Defeasance Option have been complied with.

SECTION 9.05. DEPOSITED MONEY AND GOVERNMENT SECURITIES TO BE HELD IN TRUST;
              OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

                  All money and Government Securities (including the proceeds
thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.04 hereof in respect
of the outstanding Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee,
in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the
payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may
determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due
thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, accrued interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other
funds except to the extent required by law.

                  The Company and the Guarantors shall pay and indemnify the
Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the
Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 9.04

<PAGE>   81
                                      -73-

hereof or the principal, premium, if any, and interest received in respect
thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the
account of the Holders of the outstanding Securities.

                  Anything in this Article Nine to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company
Request any money or Government Securities held by it as provided in Section
9.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally-recognized firm of independent public
accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the
Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be
deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance Option or Covenant Defeasance
Option.

SECTION 9.06. REINSTATEMENT.

                  If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or
Government Securities in accordance with Section 9.01, 9.02 or 9.03 by reason of
any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or
governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such
application, the Company's and the Guarantors' Obligations under this Indenture,
the Securities and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no
deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article Nine until such time as the
Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or Government
Securities in accordance with Section 9.01; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the
Company or the Guarantors has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any,
accrued interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Securities because of the
reinstatement of their Obligations, the Company or the Guarantors, as the case
may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to
receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee
or Paying Agent.

SECTION 9.07. MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENT.

                  In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture, all moneys then held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this
Indenture shall, upon demand of the Company, be paid to the Trustee, or if
sufficient moneys have been deposited pursuant to Section 9.01 hereof, to the
Company (or, if such moneys had been deposited by the Guarantors, to such
Guarantors), and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further
liability with respect to such moneys.

SECTION 9.08. MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE.

                  Any moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or
then held by the Company or the Guarantors in trust for the payment of the
principal of, or premium, if any, interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on any
Security that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the Holder of such
Security for two years after the date upon which the principal of, or premium,
if any, interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on such Security shall have
respectively become due and payable shall be repaid to the Company (or, if
appropriate, the Guarantors) upon Company Request, or if such moneys are then
held by the Company or the Guarantors in trust, such moneys shall be released
from such trust; and the Holder of such Security entitled to receive such
payment shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the
Company and the Guarantors for the payment thereof, and all liability of the
Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall thereupon
cease; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, before
being required to make any such repayment, may, at the expense of the Company
and the Guarantors, either mail to each Securityholder affected, at the address
shown in the Register, or cause to be published once a week for two successive
weeks, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published
each Business Day and of general circulation in The City of New York, New York,
a notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified

<PAGE>   82
                                      -74-

therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such mailing or
publication, any unclaimed balance of such moneys then remaining will be repaid
to the Company or the Guarantors. After payment to the Company or the Guarantors
or the release of any money held in trust by the Company or the Guarantors, as
the case may be, Securityholders entitled to the money must look only to the
Company and the Guarantors for payment as general creditors unless applicable
abandoned property law designates another Person.

                                   ARTICLE TEN

                       AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

SECTION 10.01. WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS.

                  Notwithstanding Section 10.02, the Company and the Guarantors,
when authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors and the board of
directors of the Guarantors, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this
Indenture, the Guarantees or the Securities without notice to or consent of any
Securityholder:

                  (i)      to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

                  (ii)     to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition
                           to or in place of Certificated Securities;

                  (iii)    to provide for the assumption of the Company's
                           obligations to Holders of Securities in the case of a
                           merger or consolidation or sale of all or
                           substantially all of the assets of the Company or to
                           provide the assumption of any Guarantor's obligations
                           under its Guarantee in the case of a merger or
                           consolidation of that Guarantor;

                  (iv)     to make any change that would provide any additional
                           rights or benefits to the Holders of Securities or
                           that does not materially adversely affect the legal
                           rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

                  (v)      to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to
                           effect or maintain the qualification of this
                           Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

                  (vi)     to provide for Guarantees of the Securities; or

                  (vii)    to evidence and provide acceptance of the appointment
                           of a successor Trustee under this Indenture.

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel stating that such amendment or supplement complies with the provisions
of this Section 10.01.

SECTION 10.02. WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS.

                  Subject to Section 6.07, the Company and the Guarantors, when
authorized by a resolution of the Boards of Directors and the board of directors
of the Guarantors, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the
Securities and the Guarantees with the written consent of the Holders of at
least a majority in

<PAGE>   83
                                      -75-

principal amount of the then outstanding Securities and any existing default or
compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Guarantee or the Securities
may be waived with consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of
the then outstanding Securities. Subject to Section 6.07, the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may waive compliance
by the Company or the Guarantors with any provision of this Indenture or the
Securities. Consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer
or exchange offer for, Securities shall be included for those purposes. However,
without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver,
with respect to any Securities held by a non-consenting Holder, including a
waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:

                  (i) reduce the principal amount of any Securities whose
         Holders must consent to an amendment or supplement to this Indenture or
         a waiver under this Indenture;

                  (ii) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of
         any Security or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of
         the Securities (other than the provisions described under Sections 4.05
         and 4.14);

                  (iii) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of
         interest on any Security;

                  (iv) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of
         principal of or premium, if any, or interest or Liquidated Damages, if
         any, on the Securities (except a rescission of acceleration of the
         Securities by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal
         amount of the Securities and a waiver of the payment default that
         resulted from that acceleration);

                  (v) make any Security payable in money other than that stated
         in the Securities;

                  (vi) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture
         relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of
         Securities to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium
         or Liquidated Damages, if any, on, the Securities;

                  (vii) release any Guarantor from its obligations under its
         Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of
         this Indenture;

                  (viii) after the Company's obligation to purchase Securities
         arises thereunder, amend, change or modify in any material respect the
         obligation of the Company to make and consummate a Change of Control
         Offer in the event of a Change of Control or make and consummate an
         Asset Sale Offer with respect to any Asset Sale that has been
         consummated or, after such Change of Control has occurred or such Asset
         Sale has been consummated, modify any of the provisions or definitions
         with respect thereto;

                  (ix) modify or change any provision of this Indenture or the
         related definitions affecting the subordination or ranking of the
         Securities or any Guarantee in a manner which adversely affects the
         Holders; or

                  (x) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver
         provisions.

                  An amendment under this Section 10.02 may not make any change
under Article Eight, Article Nine, Article Eleven or Article Twelve hereof that
adversely affects in any material respect the rights of any

<PAGE>   84
                                      -76-

holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness (or any representative thereof authorized to give a consent) shall
have consented to such change.

                  It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under
this Section 10.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment,
supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the
substance thereof.

                  After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section
10.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders affected thereby
a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of
the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in
any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

SECTION 10.03. COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.

                  Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or the
Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

SECTION 10.04. REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS.

                  Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to
it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder
of that Security or portion of that Security that evidences the same debt as the
consenting Holder's Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any
Security. Subject to the following paragraph, any such Holder or subsequent
Holder may revoke the consent as to such Holder's Security or portion of such
Security by notice to the Trustee or the Company received before the date on
which the Trustee receives an Officers' Certificate certifying that the Holders
of the requisite principal amount of Securities have consented (and not
theretofore revoked such consent) to the amendment, supplement or waiver.

                  The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record
date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Securities entitled to
consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then,
notwithstanding the last sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph, those
persons who were Holders of Securities at such record date (or their duly
designated proxies), and only those persons, shall be entitled to consent to
such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given,
whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders of such Securities after such
record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days
after such record date.

                  After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it
shall bind every Securityholder, unless it makes a change described in any of
clauses (i) through (vi) of Section 10.02. In that case the amendment,
supplement or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to
it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that
evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security.

SECTION 10.05. NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES.

                  If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a
Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to
the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security about
the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or
the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue
and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security

<PAGE>   85
                                      -77-

that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or
issue a new Security shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment,
supplement or waiver.

SECTION 10.06. TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.

                  The Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully
protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of
any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article Ten is
authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or
waiver constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and
the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to customary
exceptions). The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any such
amendment, supplement or waiver which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties
or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. In signing any amendment,
supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive an indemnity
reasonably satisfactory to it.

                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN

                                    GUARANTEE

SECTION 11.01. UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE.

                  The Guarantors, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally Guarantee to each Holder of a Security authenticated by the
Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns that: the principal of
and premium, if any, interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities
will be promptly paid in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period,
whether on the Final Maturity Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, upon a
Change of Control Offer, upon an Asset Sale Offer or otherwise, and interest on
the overdue principal and interest on any overdue interest on the Securities and
expenses, indemnification or otherwise, and all other obligations of the Company
(all such obligations guaranteed by the Guarantors being called herein the
"GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS"), to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or under the
Securities will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with
the terms hereof and thereof; subject, however, to the limitations set forth in
Section 11.03. The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder
shall be unconditional and continuing, irrespective of the validity, regularity
or enforceability of the Securities or this Indenture, the absence of any action
to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Securities with
respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment
against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance
which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of
the Guarantors and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until payment in
full of all the Guaranteed Obligations, (b) be binding upon the Guarantors and
its successors, transferees and assigns and (c) inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the Trustee, the Holders of the Securities and their successors,
transferees and assigns. The Guarantors hereby waive diligence, presentment,
demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or
bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the
Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that the
Guarantees will not be discharged except by complete performance of the
Guaranteed Obligations, and this Guarantee. If any Holder or the Trustee is
required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors, or
any Custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation
to the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by the Company or the
Guarantors to the Trustee or such Holder, the Guarantees, to the extent
theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. The
Guarantors further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and
the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the
Guaranteed Obligations

<PAGE>   86
                                      -78-

hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six for the purpose of these
Guarantees, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing
such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, and (y) in the event
of any acceleration of the Guaranteed obligations as provided in Article Six,
such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith
become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of these Guarantees.

SECTION 11.02. SEVERABILITY.

                  In case any provision of these Guarantees shall be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 11.03. LIMITATION OF GUARANTOR'S LIABILITY.

                  The Guarantors and, by its acceptance of a Security issued
hereunder, each Holder and the Trustee hereby confirm that it is the intention
of all such parties that the Guarantee by the Guarantors pursuant to their
Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any
Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent
Transfer Act or any similar U.S. federal or state or other applicable law. To
effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby
irrevocably agree that the obligations of the Guarantors under the Guarantee
shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other
contingent and fixed liabilities of the Guarantors, result in the obligations of
the Guarantors under the Guarantee not constituting such fraudulent transfer or
conveyance.

SECTION 11.04. SUBORDINATION OF SUBROGATION AND OTHER RIGHTS.

                  The Guarantors hereby agree that any claim against the Company
that arises from the payment, performance or enforcement of the Guarantors'
obligations under the Guarantee or this Indenture, including, without
limitation, any right of subrogation, shall be subject and subordinate to, and
no payment with respect to any such claim of the Guarantors shall be made
before, the payment in full in cash or Cash Equivalents of all outstanding
Securities in accordance with the provisions provided therefor in this
Indenture.

SECTION 11.05. DELIVERY OF GUARANTEE.

                  The delivery of any Security by the Trustee, after the
authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee
set forth in Section 11.01 on behalf of the Guarantors.

                                 ARTICLE TWELVE

                           SUBORDINATION OF GUARANTEE

SECTION 12.01. GUARANTEE OBLIGATIONS SUBORDINATED TO GUARANTOR SENIOR
               INDEBTEDNESS.

                  The Guarantors covenant and agree, and the Trustee and each
Holder of the Securities by its or his acceptance thereof likewise covenants and
agrees, that the Guarantees shall be issued subject to the provisions of this
Article Twelve; and each person holding any Security, whether upon original
issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees that
all payments of the principal of and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on
the Securities pursuant to the Guarantees made by or on behalf of the Guarantors

<PAGE>   87
                                      -79-

shall, to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Article Twelve, be
subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash
or Cash Equivalents of all amounts payable under Guarantor Senior Indebtedness
of the Guarantor, including that Guarantor's borrowings under, or Guarantee of,
the Senior Credit Facility, to the same extent that the Securities are
subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company as set forth in Article
Eight.

SECTION 12.02. NO PAYMENT ON GUARANTEE IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

                  (a) The Guarantors may not make any payment or distribution to
the Trustee or any Holder upon or in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations
(except that Holders of Securities may receive payments in Permitted Junior
Securities or made from the defeasance trust described under Section 9.04) until
all Obligations with respect to Designated Guarantor Senior Indebtedness have
been paid in full in cash or Cash Equivalents, if (i) a default in the payment
of the principal (including reimbursement obligations in respect to letters of
credit) of, premium, if any, or interest on or commitment letter of credit or
administrative fees relating to, Designated Guarantor Senior Indebtedness occurs
and is continuing beyond any applicable period of grace or (ii) any other
default occurs and is continuing with respect to Designated Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness that permits holders of the Designated Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness as to which such default relates to accelerate its maturity and the
Trustee receives a written notice (with a copy to the Guarantors) of such other
default (a "GUARANTOR PAYMENT BLOCKAGE NOTICE") from the Guarantors or the
holders of any Designated Guarantor Senior Indebtedness. Payments on the
Securities may and shall be resumed (a) in the case of a payment default, upon
the date on which such default is cured or waived and (b) in case of a
nonpayment default, the earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is
cured or waived or 179 days after the date on which the applicable Guarantor
Payment Blockage Notice is received by the Trustee (such period being referred
to herein as the "GUARANTOR PAYMENT BLOCKAGE PERIOD"), unless a payment default
on Designated Guarantor Senior Indebtedness then exists. No new Guarantor
Payment Blockage Period may be commenced unless and until 360 days have elapsed
since the date of the receipt by the Trustee of the immediately prior Guarantor
Payment Blockage Notice. No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on
the date of delivery of any Guarantor Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee
shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Guarantor Payment Blockage
Notice unless such default shall have been waived or cured for a period of not
less than 90 days.

                  (b) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any
payment shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder when such payment is
prohibited by Section 12.02(a), such payment shall be held in trust for the
benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of such
Designated Guarantor Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or
to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such
Designated Guarantor Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their
respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that, upon notice from
the Trustee to the holders of such Designated Guarantor Senior Indebtedness that
such prohibited payment has been made, the holders of such Designated Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee)
notify the Trustee in writing of the amounts then due and owing on such
Designated Guarantor Senior Indebtedness, if any, and only the amounts specified
in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Designated
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 12.03. PAYMENT OVER OF PROCEEDS UPON DISSOLUTION, ETC.

                  (a) Upon any distribution to creditors of the Guarantors in a
liquidation or dissolution of the Guarantors or in a bankruptcy, reorganization,
insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Guarantors or
their property, an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any marshaling of
the assets and liabilities of the Guarantors, (1) the holders of Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment

<PAGE>   88
                                      -80-

in full in cash or Cash Equivalents of all Obligations due in respect of such
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness (including interest after the commencement of any
such proceeding, whether or not allowable as a claim in any such proceeding, at
the rate specified in the applicable Guarantor Senior Indebtedness) before the
Holders of the Securities pursuant to the Guarantees shall be entitled to
receive any payment with respect to the Subordinated Note Obligations under the
Securities, and (2) until all Obligations with respect to Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness are paid in full in cash or Cash Equivalents, any distribution to
which the Holders of Securities pursuant to the Guarantees would be entitled
shall be made to holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness.

                  (b) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provision
prohibiting such payment or distribution, any payment or distribution of assets
or securities of the Guarantors of any kind or character, whether in cash,
property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder of
Securities at a time when such payment or distribution is prohibited by Section
12.03(a) and before all Obligations in respect of the Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness are paid in full in cash, or payment provided for, such payment or
distribution shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of, and shall
be paid over or delivered to, the holders of the Guarantor Senior Indebtedness
(PRO RATA to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness held by such holders) or their respective representatives,
or to the trustee or trustees or agent or agents under any indenture pursuant to
which any of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their
respective interests may appear, for application to the payment of the Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all Guarantor Senior Indebtedness has
been paid in full in cash after giving effect to any prior or concurrent
payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to receive from
the holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness written notice of the amounts owing
on the Guarantor Senior Indebtedness.

                  The consolidation of the Guarantors with, or the merger of the
Guarantors with or into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution
of the Guarantors following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an
entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms
and conditions provided in Article Five shall not be deemed a dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 12.03
if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger,
conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article Five.

SECTION 12.04. SUBROGATION.

                  Upon the payment in full in cash of all Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness of the Guarantors, or provision for payment, the Holders of the
Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or
securities of the Guarantors made on Guarantor Senior Indebtedness until the
principal of and premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
on the Securities shall be paid in full in cash; and, for the purposes of such
subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the
Securities or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled except for the
provisions of this Article Twelve, and no payment over pursuant to the
provisions of this Article Twelve to the holders of the Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness by Holders of the Securities or the Trustee on their behalf shall,
as between the Guarantors, its creditors other than holders of the Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a
payment by the Guarantors to or on account of the Guarantor Senior Indebtedness.
It is understood that the provisions of this Article Twelve are and are intended
solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the
Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness,
on the other hand.

<PAGE>   89
                                      -81-

                  If any payment or distribution to which the Holders of the
Securities would otherwise have been entitled but for the provisions of this
Article Twelve shall have been applied, pursuant to the provisions of this
Article Twelve, to the payment of all amounts payable under Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness, then and in such case, the Holders of the Securities shall be
entitled to receive from the holders of such Guarantor Senior Indebtedness any
payments or distributions received by such holders of Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness in excess of the amount required to make payment in full, or
provision for payment, of such Guarantor Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 12.05. OBLIGATIONS OF GUARANTOR UNCONDITIONAL.

                  Nothing contained in this Article Twelve or elsewhere in this
Indenture or in the Securities or the Guarantee is intended to or shall impair,
as between the Guarantors and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of
the Guarantors, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of
the Securities the principal of and premium, if any, or interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and
payable in accordance with the terms of the Guarantee, or is intended to or
shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors
of the Guarantor other than the holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness, nor
shall anything herein or therein prevent the Holder of any Security or the
Trustee on their behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by
applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any,
under this Article Twelve of the holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness in
respect of cash, property or securities of the Guarantors received upon the
exercise of any such remedy.

                  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing
contained in this Article Twelve shall restrict the right of the Trustee or the
Holders of Securities to take any action to declare the Securities to be due and
payable prior to their stated maturity pursuant to Section 6.01 or to pursue any
rights or remedies hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that all Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness of the Guarantor then due and payable shall first be paid in full
before the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee are entitled to receive any
direct or indirect payment from such Guarantors of principal of or premium, if
any, or interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities pursuant to
such Guarantors' Guarantee.

SECTION 12.06. NOTICE TO TRUSTEE.

                  The Company and the Guarantors shall give prompt written
notice to the Trustee of any fact known to the Company or the Guarantors which
would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the
Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article Twelve. The Trustee shall
not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any event of default with
respect to any Guarantor Senior Indebtedness or of any other facts which would
prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and until the
Trustee shall have received notice in writing at its Corporate Trust Office to
that effect signed by an Officer of the Company or the Guarantors, or by a
holder of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness or trustee or agent therefor; and prior
to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall, subject to Article
Seven, be entitled to assume that no such facts exist; PROVIDED that if the
Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 12.06 at
least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms of this
Indenture any moneys shall become payable for any purpose (including, without
limitation, the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest or
Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Security), then, regardless of anything
herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to
receive any moneys from the Guarantors and to apply the same to the purpose for
which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the
contrary which may be received by it on or after such prior date. Nothing
contained in this Section 12.06 shall limit the right of the holders of
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness to recover payments as contemplated by Section
12.03.

<PAGE>   90
                                      -82-

The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice
by a Person representing himself or itself to be a holder of any Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of, or other representative of, such
holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such holder.

                  In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that
any evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution
pursuant to this Article Twelve, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish
evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such
Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other
facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Twelve, and if
such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person
pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such
payment.

SECTION 12.07. RELIANCE ON JUDICIAL ORDER OR CERTIFICATE OF LIQUIDATING AGENT.

                  Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of
the Guarantors referred to in this Article Twelve, the Trustee and the Holders
of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any
court of competent jurisdiction in which bankruptcy, dissolution, winding-up,
liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or upon a certificate of
the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person
making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders
of the Securities for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to
participate in such distribution, the holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness
and other Indebtedness of the Guarantors, the amount thereof or payable thereon,
the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent
thereto or to this Article Twelve.

SECTION 12.08. TRUSTEE'S RELATION TO GUARANTOR SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.

                  The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall be entitled to all the
rights set forth in this Article Twelve with respect to any Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it in its individual or any other
capacity to the same extent as any other holder of Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee or any
Paying Agent of any of its rights as such holder.

                  With respect to the holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness,
the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and
obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article Twelve, and no implied
covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee
shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness (except as provided in Section 12.03(b)). The Trustee shall not be
liable to any such holders if the Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay
over or distribute to Holders of Securities or to the Company or to any other
person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Twelve or otherwise.

SECTION 12.09. SUBORDINATION RIGHTS NOT IMPAIRED BY ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF THE
               GUARANTOR OR HOLDERS OF GUARANTOR SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.

                  No right of any present or future holders of any Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as provided herein shall at any
time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the
part of the Guarantors or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any
such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Guarantors with the terms of this
Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any

<PAGE>   91
                                      -83-

such holder may have or otherwise be charged with. The provisions of this
Article Twelve are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable
directly by, the holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 12.10. SECURITYHOLDERS AUTHORIZE TRUSTEE TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION OF
               GUARANTEE.

                  Each Holder of Securities by its or his acceptance of such
Securities authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee on its or his behalf to
take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the
subordination provided in this Article Twelve, and appoints the Trustee its or
his attorney-in-fact for such purposes, including, in the event of any
dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of the Guarantors
(whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization or similar
proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise)
tending towards liquidation of the business and assets of such Guarantor, the
filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of its or his Securities in the form
required in those proceedings.

SECTION 12.11. THIS ARTICLE NOT TO PREVENT EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

                  The failure to make a payment on account of principal of or
premium, if any, or interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities by
reason of any provision of this Article Twelve shall not be construed as
preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in clauses (i) or
(ii) of Section 6.01.

SECTION 12.12. TRUSTEE'S COMPENSATION NOT PREJUDICED.

                  Nothing in this Article Twelve shall apply to amounts due to
the Trustee pursuant to other sections in this Indenture.

SECTION 12.13. NO WAIVER OF GUARANTEE SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS.

                  Without in any way limiting the generality of Section 12.09,
the holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to
time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the
Securities, without incurring responsibility to the Holders of the Securities
and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article
Twelve or the obligations hereunder of the Holders of the Securities to the
holders of Guarantor Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following:
(a) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment
of, or renew or alter, Guarantor Senior Indebtedness or any instrument
evidencing the same or any agreement under which Guarantor Senior Indebtedness
is outstanding or secured; (b) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with
any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness; (c) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness; and (d) exercise or refrain from exercising any
rights against the Guarantors and any other Person.

SECTION 12.14. SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS NOT APPLICABLE TO COLLATERAL HELD IN
               TRUST FOR SECURITYHOLDERS; PAYMENTS MAY BE PAID PRIOR TO
               DISSOLUTION.

                  All money and Government Securities deposited in trust with
the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article Nine shall be for the
sole benefit of the Holders and shall not be subject to this Article Twelve.

                  Nothing contained in this Article Twelve or elsewhere in this
Indenture shall prevent (i) the Guarantors, except under the conditions
described in Section 12.02, from making payments of principal of and premium, if
any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Securities, or from
depositing with the

<PAGE>   92
                                      -84-

Trustee any moneys for such payments, or (ii) the application by the Trustee of
any moneys deposited with it for the purpose of making such payments of
principal of and premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
on the Securities, to the Holders entitled thereto unless at least two Business
Days prior to the date upon which such payment becomes due and payable, the
Trustee shall have received the written notice provided for in Section 12.02(b)
or in Section 12.06. The Guarantors shall give prompt written notice to the
Trustee of any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of the
Guarantors.

                                ARTICLE THIRTEEN

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 13.01. TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS.

                  This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the TIA that
are required to be a part of this Indenture, and shall, to the extent
applicable, be governed by such provisions. If any provision of this Indenture
modifies any TIA provision that may be so modified, such TIA provision shall be
deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified. If any provision of this
Indenture excludes any TIA provision that may be so excluded, such TIA provision
shall be excluded from this Indenture.

                  The provisions of TIA ss.ss. 310 through 317 that impose
duties on any Person (including the provisions automatically deemed included
unless expressly excluded by this Indenture) are a part of and govern this
Indenture, whether or not physically contained herein.

SECTION 13.02.      NOTICES.

                  Any notice or communication shall be sufficiently given if in
writing and delivered in person, by facsimile and confirmed by overnight
courier, or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:

                  if to the Company or to the Guarantors:

                           RailAmerica Transportation Corp.
                           5300 Broken Sound Boulevard, N.W.
                           Boca Raton, Florida  33487

                           Attention:   Mark Phariss
                                        Vice President and
                                        General Counsel

                           Facsimile:   (561) 994-3929
                           Telephone:  (561) 994-6015

                  with a copy to:

<PAGE>   93
                                      -85-

                           Greenberg Traurig P.A.
                           1221 Brickell Avenue
                           Miami, Florida  33131

                           Attention:  Fern Watts

                           Facsimile:    (305) 579-0717
                           Telephone:    (305) 579-0692

                  if to the Trustee:

                           Well Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
                           Sixth & Marquette

                           MAC N9303-120
                           Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

                           Attention:  Corporate Trust Services

                           Facsimile:    (612) 667-9825
                           Telephone:    (612) 667-4456

                  The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may
designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or
communications.

                  Any notice or communication mailed, first-class, postage
prepaid, to a Holder including any notice delivered in connection with TIA ss.
310(b), TIA ss. 313(c), TIA ss. 314(a) and TIA ss. 315(b), shall be mailed to it
or him at its or his address as set forth in the Register and shall be
sufficiently given to it or him if so mailed within the time prescribed. To the
extent required by the TIA, any notice or communication shall also be mailed to
any Person described in TIA ss. 313(c).

                  Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder
or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other
Securityholders. Except for a notice to the Trustee, which is deemed given only
when received, if a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided
above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

SECTION 13.03. COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS.

                  Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA ss. 312(b)
with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or
the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any other Person
shall have the protection of TIA ss. 312(c).

SECTION 13.04. CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

                  Upon any request or application by the Company or the
Guarantors to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this
Indenture, the Company or the Guarantors shall furnish to the Trustee at the
request of the Trustee:

<PAGE>   94
                                      -86-

                    (1) an Officers' Certificate in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the
         signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this
         Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

                    (2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance satisfactory
         to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such
         conditions precedent have been complied with.

SECTION 13.05. STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION.

                  Each Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel with respect
to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall
include:

                  (1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or
         opinion has read such covenant or condition;

                  (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
         examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
         contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

                  (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has
         made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to
         express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
         condition has been complied with; and

                  (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
         person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; PROVIDED,
         HOWEVER, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may
         rely on an Officers' Certificate or certificates of public officials.

SECTION 13.06. RULES BY TRUSTEE, PAYING AGENT, REGISTRAR.

                  The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a
meeting of Securityholders. The Paying Agent or Registrar may make reasonable
rules for its functions.

SECTION 13.07. GOVERNING LAW.

                  The laws of the State of New York shall govern this Indenture,
the Securities and the Guarantee without regard to principles of conflicts of
law.

SECTION 13.08. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.

                  A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the
Company or the Guarantors shall not have any liability for any Obligations of
the Company or the Guarantors or any other Subsidiary of the Company under the
Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in
respect of or by reason of such Obligations or the creation of any such
Obligation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all
such liability, and such waiver and release is part of the consideration for
issuance of the Securities. The foregoing waiver may not be effective to waive
liabilities under the federal securities laws.

<PAGE>   95
                                      -87-

SECTION 13.09. SUCCESSORS.

                  All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the
Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Guarantors in this
Indenture and the Guarantee shall bind its successor. All agreements of the
Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

SECTION 13.10. COUNTERPART ORIGINALS.

                  The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.
Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the
same agreement.

SECTION 13.11. SEVERABILITY.

                  In case any provision in this Indenture, in the Securities or
in the Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby, and a Holder shall have no claim therefor against
any party hereto.

SECTION 13.12. NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS.

                  This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture,
loan or debt agreement of the Company, the Guarantors or a Subsidiary. Any such
indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

SECTION 13.13. LEGAL HOLIDAYS.

                  If a payment date is a not a Business Day at a place of
payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding Business Day,
and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

                            [Signature Pages Follow]

<PAGE>   96
                                      S-1

                                   SIGNATURES

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

                           RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP.

                            By: /s/ Bennett Marks
                                ------------------------------------------------
                                Name: Bennett Marks
                                Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                       Officer

                            RAILAMERICA, INC.,
                                as Guarantor

                            By: /s/ Bennett Marks
                                ------------------------------------------------
                                Name:  Bennett Marks
                                Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                       Officer

<PAGE>   97
                                      S-2

                                  AUSTIN & NORTHWESTERN RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                                  BOSTON CENTRAL FREIGHT RAILROAD, INC.
                                  CASCADE AND COLUMBIA RIVER RAILROAD COMPANY,
                                    INC.
                                  CENTRAL OREGON & PACIFIC RAILROAD, INC.
                                  CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY OF INDIANA
                                  CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY OF INDIANAPOLIS
                                  CONNECTICUT SOUTHERN RAILROAD, INC.
                                  DAKOTA RAIL, INC.
                                  DALLAS, GARLAND & NORTHEASTERN RAILROAD, INC.
                                  DALLAS, GARLAND & NORTHEASTERN RAILROAD, INC.
                                  DELAWARE VALLEY RAILWAY COMPANY, INC.
                                  FLORIDA RAIL LINES, INC.
                                  GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD, INC.
                                  HURON AND EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY, INC.
                                  INDIANA & OHIO CENTRAL RAILROAD, INC.
                                  INDIANA & OHIO RAIL CORP.
                                  INDIANA & OHIO RAILWAY COMPANY
                                  INDIANA SOUTHERN RAILROAD, INC.
                                  MARKSMAN CORP.
                                  MID-MICHIGAN RAILROAD, INC.
                                  MINNESOTA NORTHERN RAILROAD, INC.
                                  MISSOURI & NORTHERN ARKANSAS RAILROAD COMPANY,
                                    INC.
                                  NEW ENGLAND CENTRAL RAILROAD, INC.
                                  NEW ORLEANS LOWER COAST RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                                  NORTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA RAILROAD COMPANY,
                                    INC.
                                  OTTER TAIL VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                                  PALM BEACH RAIL HOLDING, INC.
                                  PITTSBURG INDUSTRIAL RAILROAD, INC.
                                  PLAINVIEW TERMINAL COMPANY
                                  PRAIRIE HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                                  RAIL OPERATING SUPPORT GROUP, INC.
                                  RAILAMERICA AUSTRALIA, INC.
                                  RAILAMERICA EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
                                  RAILAMERICA INTERMODAL SERVICES, INC.
                                  RAILINK ACQUISITION, INC.
                                  RAILTEX ACQUISITION CORP.
                                  RAILTEX DISTRIBUTION SERVICES, INC.
                                  RAILTEX, INC.
                                  RAILTEX INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
                                  RAILTEX LOGISITICS, INC.

<PAGE>   98
                                      S-3

                                  RAILTEX SERVICES CO., INC.
                                  SAGINAW VALLEY RAILWAY COMPANY, INC.
                                  SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY,
                                    INC.
                                  SOUTH CAROLINA CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                                  SOUTH CENTRAL TENNESSEE RAILROAD CORP., INC.
                                  ST. CROIX VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY
                                  THE TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILROAD
                                    CORPORATION
                                  TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILWAY CORPORATION
                                  VENTURA COUNTY RAILROAD CO., INC.
                                  WEST TEXAS AND LUBBOCK RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.,
                                  as Guarantors

                                  By: /s/ Mark Phariss
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Name: Mark Phariss
                                      Title: Vice President, General Counsel and
                                             Assistant Secretary

                                             On behalf of each of the
                                             above-named entities

<PAGE>   99
                                      S-4

                                  WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.,
                                    as Trustee

                                  By: /s/ Timothy P. Mowdy
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Name:  Timothy P. Mowdy
                                      Title: Corporate Trust Officer

<PAGE>   100
                                                                     EXHIBIT A

                           [FORM OF SERIES A SECURITY]

[LEGEND FOR RESTRICTED SECURITY]

THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S.
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY
NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES
OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN
THE NEXT SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN,
THE HOLDER: (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS
DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (A "QIB"), (B) IT HAS ACQUIRED
THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OR (C) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED
IN RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AN
"IAI"), (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY
EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) TO A PERSON WHOM THE
SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QIB PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE
ACCOUNT OF A QIB IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (C) IN
AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR 904 OF
REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE
REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN IAI THAT, PRIOR TO
SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN
REPRESENTATION AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES (THE
FORM OF WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) AND IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN
RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SECURITIES LESS THAN $250,000, AN
OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE
WITH THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE
COMPANY), (F) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL
ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY) OR (G) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS
OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (3)
AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY OR AN INTEREST
HEREIN IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS
USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION" AND "UNITED STATES" HAVE THE
MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY RULE 902 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE
INDENTURE CONTAINS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY
TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING.

[LEGEND FOR TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY]

THIS SECURITY IS A TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF
THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREINAFTER. EXCEPT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN
SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL
SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD TO

                                      A-1
<PAGE>   101

A U.S. PERSON OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF A U.S. PERSON PRIOR TO THE
EXPIRATION OF THE RESTRICTED PERIOD (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE), AND NO
TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE OF AN INTEREST IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL
SECURITY MAY BE MADE FOR AN INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL SECURITY OR IN A
PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY UNTIL AFTER THE LATER OF THE DATE OF
EXPIRATION OF THE RESTRICTED PERIOD AND THE DATE ON WHICH THE OWNER SECURITIES
CERTIFICATION AND THE DEPOSITORY SECURITIES CERTIFICATION RELATING TO SUCH
INTEREST HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE INDENTURE, TO
THE EFFECT THAT THE BENEFICIAL OWNER OR OWNERS OF SUCH INTEREST ARE NOT U.S.
PERSONS.

[LEGEND RELATING TO ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT]

                  FOR PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 1272, 1273 AND 1275 OF THE INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THEREUNDER, THIS
SECURITY IS BEING ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT; FOR EACH $1,000 PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT OF THIS SECURITY, (1) THE ISSUE PRICE IS $901.38; (2) THE AMOUNT OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT IS $98.62; (3) THE ISSUE DATE IS AUGUST 14, 2000; AND
(4) THE YIELD TO MATURITY IS 14.795% (COMPOUNDED SEMI-ANNUALLY).

                                      A-2
<PAGE>   102

                        RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP.
                        12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Note
                          due August 15, 2010, Series A

                                                                CUSIP No.:

No. [         ]         $[            ]

                  RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY", which term includes any successor corporation), for value received
promises to pay to [ ] or registered assigns, the principal sum of [ ] Dollars,
on August 15, 2010.

                  Interest Payment Dates: August 15 and February 15, commencing
on February 15, 2001.

                  Interest Record Dates: August 1 and February 1.

                  Reference is made to the further provisions of this Security
contained herein, which will for all purposes have the same effect as if set
forth at this place.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Security to be
signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officer.

                                   RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP.

                                   By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

Attest:
       ------------------------
       Name:
       Title:

                                      A-3
<PAGE>   103

                [FORM OF TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]

                  This is one of the 12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010,
Series A, described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:

                                    WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.,
                                        as Trustee

                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Authorized Signatory

                                      A-4
<PAGE>   104

                              (REVERSE OF SECURITY)

                        RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP.

                        12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Note
                          due August 15, 2010, Series A

1. INTEREST.

                  RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at
the rate per annum shown above. Cash interest on the Securities will accrue from
the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been
paid, from August 14, 2000. The Company will pay interest semi-annually in
arrears on each Interest Payment Date, commencing February 15, 2001. Interest
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

                  The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal from time
to time on demand at the rate borne by the Securities and on overdue
installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) to the
extent lawful.

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT.

                  The Company shall pay interest on the Securities (except
defaulted interest) to the Persons who are the registered Holders at the close
of business on the Interest Record Date immediately preceding the Interest
Payment Date even if the Securities are canceled on registration of transfer or
registration of exchange after such Interest Record Date. Holders must surrender
Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company shall
pay principal and premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts ("U.S. LEGAL TENDER"). However, the Company
may pay principal and premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if
any, by wire transfer of Federal funds (provided that the Paying Agent shall
have received wire instructions on or prior to the relevant Interest Record
Date), or interest by check payable in such U.S. Legal Tender. The Company may
deliver any such interest payment to the Paying Agent or to a Holder at the
Holder's registered address.

3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR.

                  Initially, Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. (the "TRUSTEE")
will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent
or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Company or any of its
Subsidiaries may, subject to certain exceptions, act as Registrar.

4. INDENTURE AND GUARANTEES.

                  The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture, dated as
of August 14, 2000 (the "INDENTURE"), among the Company, each of the Guarantors
named in the Indenture (the "GUARANTORS"), and the Trustee. Capitalized terms
herein are used as defined in the Indenture unless otherwise defined herein. The
terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made
part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C.
ss.ss. 77aaa-77bbbb) (tHE "TIA"), as in effect on the date of the Indenture
until such time as the Indenture is qualified under the TIA, and thereafter as
in effect on the date on which the Indenture is qualified under the TIA.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Securities are

                                      A-5
<PAGE>   105

subject to
all such terms, and holders of Securities are referred to the Indenture and the
TIA for a statement of them. The Securities are general obligations of the
Company limited in aggregate principal amount to $130,000,000.

5. REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

                  Pursuant to the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, dated as
of August 14, 2000 (the "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT"), among the Company, the
Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers of the Series A Securities, the Company
and the Guarantors will be obligated to consummate an exchange offer pursuant to
which the Holder of this Security shall have the right to exchange this Security
for 12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010, Series B, of the Company (the
"SERIES B SECURITIES"), which have been registered under the Securities Act, in
like principal amount and having identical terms as the Series A Securities. The
Holders of Series A Securities shall be entitled to receive certain additional
payments in the event such exchange offer is not consummated and upon certain
other conditions, all pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the
Registration Rights Agreement. The Series A Securities and the Series B
Securities are together referred to herein as the "SECURITIES."

6. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

                  The Securities will be redeemable at the option of the
Company, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on or after
August 15, 2005 at the redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal
amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages
thereon, if any, to the Redemption Date if redeemed during the twelve-month
period commencing on August 15 of the years set forth below:

Year                                                       Percentage
----                                                       ----------

2005                                                        106.438%
2006                                                        104.292%
2007                                                        102.146%
2008 and thereafter                                         100.000%

7. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION UPON CERTAIN EQUITY ISSUANCES.

                  At any time, or from time to time, prior to August 15, 2003,
the Company may redeem up to 35% of the originally issued principal amount of
Securities at a redemption price equal to 112.875% of the principal amount of
the Securities so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages thereon, if any, to the Redemption Date, with the net proceeds of one or
more Equity Offerings; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that at least 65% of the originally
issued principal amount of Securities remains outstanding immediately after
giving effect to any such redemption and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that such redemption
will occur within 60 days of the date of the Closing of such Equity Offering.

8. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

                  Notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at
least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each
Holder of Securities to be redeemed at its registered address. The Trustee may
select for redemption portions of the principal amount of Securities that have
denominations equal to or larger than $1,000 principal amount. Securities and
portions of them the Trustee so selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 principal
amount or integral multiples thereof.

                  If any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to such Security shall state the portion of the
principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Security in a principal

                                      A-6
<PAGE>   106

amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the
Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Security. On and after the
Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on Securities or portions thereof
called for redemption so long as the Company has deposited with the Paying Agent
for the Securities funds in satisfaction of the redemption price pursuant to the
Indenture.

9. CHANGE OF CONTROL OFFER.

                  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will
be required to offer to purchase all outstanding Securities at a purchase price
equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the Change of Control
Purchase Date.

10. LIMITATION ON DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

                  The Company is, subject to certain conditions, obligated to
make an offer to purchase Securities at a purchase price equal to 100% of the
aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the Asset Sale Purchase Date.

11. SUBORDINATION.

                  The Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities is, to the extent
and in the manner provided in the Indenture, subordinated and subject in right
payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness as
defined in the Indenture, and this Security is issued subject to such
provisions. Each Holder of this Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to
and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee,
on behalf of such Holder, to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate
to effectuate the subordination as provided in the Indenture and (c) appoints
the Trustee attorney-in-fact of such Holder for such purpose.

12. DENOMINATIONS; TRANSFER; EXCHANGE.

                  The Securities are in registered form, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. A Holder shall
register the transfer or exchange of Securities in accordance with the
Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish
appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay certain transfer
taxes or similar governmental charges payable in connection therewith as
permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer or
exchange of any Securities or portions thereof selected for redemption, except
the unredeemed portion of any security being redeemed in part.

13. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.

                  The registered Holder of a Security shall be treated as the
owner of it for all purposes.

14. UNCLAIMED FUNDS.

                  If funds for the payment of principal or premium, if any, or
interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, remain unclaimed for two years, the
Trustee and the Paying Agent will repay the funds to the Company at its written
request. After that, all liability of the Trustee and such Paying Agent with
respect to such funds shall cease.

                                      A-7
<PAGE>   107

15. LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE.

                  The Company and the Guarantors may be discharged from their
obligations under the Indenture, the Securities and the Guarantee except for
certain provisions thereof, and may be discharged from obligations to comply
with certain covenants contained in the Indenture, the Securities and the
Guarantee, in each case upon satisfaction of certain conditions specified in the
Indenture.

16. AMENDMENT; SUPPLEMENT; WAIVER.

                  Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, the Securities
and the Guarantee may be amended or supplemented with the written consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities
then outstanding, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance
with any provision may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding. Without notice
to or consent of any Holder, the parties thereto may amend or supplement the
Indenture, the Securities and the Guarantee to, among other things, cure any
ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, provide for uncertificated Securities in
addition to or in place of Certificated Securities or comply with any
requirements of the Commission in connection with the qualification of the
Indenture under the TIA, or make any other change that does not materially
adversely affect the rights of any Holder of a Security.

17. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.

                  The Indenture contains certain covenants that, among other
things, limit the ability of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries to make
Restricted Payments, to incur Indebtedness, to create Liens, to sell assets, to
permit restrictions on dividends and other payments by Restricted Subsidiaries
to the Company, to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its
assets or to engage in transactions with Affiliates. The limitations are subject
to a number of important qualifications and exceptions. The Company must
annually report to the Trustee on compliance with such limitations.

18. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES.

                  If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee
or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Securities then
outstanding may declare all the Securities to be due and payable immediately in
the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Holders of Securities
may not enforce the Indenture, the Securities or the Guarantee except as
provided in the Indenture. The Trustee is not obligated to enforce the
Indenture, the Securities or the Guarantee unless it has received indemnity
satisfactory to it. The Indenture permits, subject to certain limitations
therein provided, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities then outstanding to direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust
or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of Securities notice of certain
continuing Defaults or Events of Default if it determines that withholding
notice is in their interest.

19. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY.

                  The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any
other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise
deal with the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates as if it
were not the Trustee.

20. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.

                  No stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Company
shall have any liability for any Obligation of the Company under the Securities
or the Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of,
such Obligations or their creation. Each Holder of a Security by accepting a
Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part
of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.

                                      A-8
<PAGE>   108

21. AUTHENTICATION.

                  This Security shall not be valid until the Trustee or
authenticating agent signs the certificate of authentication on this Security.

22. ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINED TERMS.

                  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder of
a Security or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=
tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act).

23. CUSIP NUMBERS.

                  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on
Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers
to be printed on the Securities as a convenience to the Holders of the
Securities. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers as
printed on the Securities and reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed hereon.

24. GOVERNING LAW.

                  The laws of the State of New York shall govern the Indenture,
this Security and the Guarantee without regard to principles of conflicts of
laws.

                                      A-9
<PAGE>   109

              [FORM OF NOTATION ON SECURITY RELATING TO GUARANTEE]

                          SENIOR SUBORDINATED GUARANTEE

                  Each of the Guarantors named below (the "GUARANTORS") has
unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis (such
guarantee being referred to herein as the "GUARANTEE") (i) the due and punctual
payment of the principal of and interest or premium or Liquidated Damages, if
any, on the Securities, whether on the Final Maturity Date, by acceleration,
call for redemption, upon a Change of Control Offer, upon an Asset Sale Offer or
otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal and
interest, if any, on the Securities and expenses, indemnification or otherwise,
and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to
the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article
Eleven and Article Twelve of the Indenture and (ii) in case of any extension of
time of payment or renewal of any Securities or any of such other obligations,
that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance
with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise.

                  The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders and to the
Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth and
are expressly subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantors, to the extent
and in the manner provided, in Article Eleven and Article Twelve of the
Indenture, and reference is hereby made to such Indenture for the precise terms
of the Guarantee therein made.

                  No director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of any
Guarantor shall have any liability under the Guarantee by reason of such
person's status as director, officer, employee or stockholder. Each holder of a
Security by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The
waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the
Guarantee Indebtedness.

                  The Guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until the certificate of authentication on the Securities upon which the
Guarantee is noted shall have been executed by the Trustee under the Indenture
by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers.

                          RAILAMERICA, INC.
                          AUSTIN & NORTHWESTERN RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                          BOSTON CENTRAL FREIGHT RAILROAD, INC.
                          CASCADE AND COLUMBIA RIVER RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                          CENTRAL OREGON & PACIFIC RAILROAD, INC.
                          CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY OF INDIANA
                          CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY OF INDIANAPOLIS
                          CONNECTICUT SOUTHERN RAILROAD, INC.
                          DAKOTA RAIL, INC.
                          DALLAS, GARLAND & NORTHEASTERN RAILROAD, INC.
                          DALLAS, GARLAND & NORTHEASTERN RAILROAD, INC.
                          DELAWARE VALLEY RAILWAY COMPANY, INC.
                          FLORIDA RAIL LINES, INC.
                          GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD, INC.
                          HURON AND EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY, INC.
                          INDIANA & OHIO CENTRAL RAILROAD, INC.
                          INDIANA & OHIO RAIL CORP.

                                      A-10
<PAGE>   110

                          INDIANA & OHIO RAILWAY COMPANY
                          INDIANA SOUTHERN RAILROAD, INC.
                          MARKSMAN CORP.
                          MID-MICHIGAN RAILROAD, INC.
                          MINNESOTA NORTHERN RAILROAD, INC.
                          MISSOURI & NORTHERN ARKANSAS RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                          NEW ENGLAND CENTRAL RAILROAD, INC.
                          NEW ORLEANS LOWER COAST RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                          NORTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                          OTTER TAIL VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                          PALM BEACH RAIL HOLDING, INC.
                          PITTSBURG INDUSTRIAL RAILROAD, INC.
                          PLAINVIEW TERMINAL COMPANY
                          PRAIRIE HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                          RAIL OPERATING SUPPORT GROUP, INC.
                          RAILAMERICA AUSTRALIA, INC.
                          RAILAMERICA EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
                          RAILAMERICA INTERMODAL SERVICES, INC.
                          RAILINK ACQUISITION, INC.
                          RAILTEX ACQUISITION CORP.
                          RAILTEX DISTRIBUTION SERVICES, INC.
                          RAILTEX, INC.
                          RAILTEX INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
                          RAILTEX LOGISITICS, INC.
                          RAILTEX SERVICES CO., INC.
                          SAGINAW VALLEY RAILWAY COMPANY, INC.
                          SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                          SOUTH CAROLINA CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                          SOUTH CENTRAL TENNESSEE RAILROAD CORP., INC.
                          ST. CROIX VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY
                          THE TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILROAD CORPORATION
                          TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILWAY CORPORATION
                          VENTURA COUNTY RAILROAD CO., INC.
                          WEST TEXAS AND LUBBOCK RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.,
                            as Guarantors

                          By:
                              --------------------------------------------------
                              Name:
                              Title:

                                      A-11
<PAGE>   111
                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

I or we assign and transfer this Security to

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
(Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee or transferee)

_______________________________________________________________________________
(Insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee or transferee)

and irrevocably appoint________________________________________________________
agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may
substitute another to act for him.

Dated:___________________            Signed:___________________________________
                                            (Signed exactly as name appears
                                            on the other side of this Security)

Signature Guarantee: __________________________________________________________
                         Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee
                         Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor
                         program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee)

                                      A-12
<PAGE>   112

                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

                  If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.05 or Section 4.14 of the Indenture, check the
appropriate box:

Section 4.05 [   ]
Section 4.14 [   ]

                  If you want to elect to have only part of this Security
purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.05 or Section 4.14 of the
Indenture, state the amount: $_____________

Dated:___________________    Your Signature:____________________________________
                                            (Signed exactly as name appears
                                            on the other side of this Security)

Signature Guarantee: ___________________________________________________________
                         Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee
                         Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor
                         program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee)

                                      A-13
<PAGE>   113
                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                           (FORM OF SERIES B SECURITY)

                        RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP.

                        12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Note

                          due August 15, 2010, Series B

                                                              CUSIP No.:
No. [   ]                                                              $[     ]

                  RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY", which term includes any successor corporation), for value received
promises to pay to [ ] or registered assigns, the principal sum of [ ] Dollars,
on August 15, 2010.

                  Interest Payment Dates: August 15 and February 15, commencing
on February 15, 2001.

                  Interest Record Dates: August 1 and February 1.

                  Reference is made to the further provisions of this Security
contained herein, which will for all purposes have the same effect as if set
forth at this place.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Security to be
signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officer.

                                   RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP.

                                   By:
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

Attest:
        --------------------------
        Name:
        Title:

                                      B-1
<PAGE>   114

                [FORM OF TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]

                  This is one of the 12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010,
Series B, described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:

                                        WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.,
                                           as Trustee

                                        By:
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Authorized Signatory

                                      B-2
<PAGE>   115
                              (REVERSE OF SECURITY)

                        RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP.

                        12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Note

                          due August 15, 2010, Series B

1. INTEREST.

                  RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at
the rate per annum shown above. Cash interest on the Securities will accrue from
the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been
paid, from August 14, 2000. The Company will pay interest semi-annually in
arrears on each Interest Payment Date, commencing February 15, 2001. Interest
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

                  The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal from time
to time on demand at the rate borne by the Securities and on overdue
installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) to the
extent lawful.

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT.

                  The Company shall pay interest on the Securities (except
defaulted interest) to the persons who are the registered Holders at the close
of business on the Interest Record Date immediately preceding the Interest
Payment Date even if the Securities are canceled on registration of transfer or
registration of exchange after such Interest Record Date. Holders must surrender
Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company shall
pay principal and premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts ("U.S. LEGAL TENDER"). However, the Company
may pay principal and premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if
any, by wire transfer of Federal funds (provided that the Paying Agent shall
have received wire instructions on or prior to the relevant Interest Record
Date), or interest by check payable in such U.S. Legal Tender. The Company may
deliver any such interest payment to the Paying Agent or to a Holder at the
Holder's registered address.

3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR.

                  Initially, Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. (the "TRUSTEE")
will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent
or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Company or any of its
Subsidiaries may, subject to certain exceptions, act as Registrar.

4. INDENTURE AND GUARANTEES.

                  The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture, dated as
of August 14, 2000 (the "INDENTURE"), among the Company, each of the Guarantors
named in the Indenture (the "GUARANTORS"), and the Trustee. Capitalized terms
herein are used as defined in the Indenture unless otherwise defined herein. The
terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made
part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C.
ss.ss. 77aaa-77bbbb) (tHE "TIA"), as in effect on the date of the Indenture
until such time as the Indenture is qualified under the TIA, and thereafter as
in effect on the date on which the Indenture is qualified under the TIA.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Securities are

                                      B-3
<PAGE>   116

subject to all such terms, and Holders of Securities are referred to the
Indenture and the TIA for a statement of them. The Securities are general
obligations of the Company limited in aggregate principal amount to
$130,000,000.

5. EXCHANGE OFFER.

                  The Series B Securities were issued pursuant to an exchange
offer pursuant to which 12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010, Series A, of
the Company (the "SERIES A SECURITIES"), in like principal amount and having
substantially identical terms as the Series B Securities, were exchanged for the
Series B Securities. The Series A Securities and the Series B Securities are
together referred to herein as the "SECURITIES."

6. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

                  The Securities will be redeemable at the option of the
Company, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on or after
August 15, 2005 at the redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal
amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages
thereon, if any, to the Redemption Date if redeemed during the twelve-month
period commencing on August 15 of the years set forth below:

Year                                                      Percentage
----                                                      ----------

2005                                                        106.438%
2006                                                        104.292%
2007                                                        102.146%
2008 and thereafter                                         100.000%

7. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION UPON CERTAIN EQUITY ISSUANCES.

                  At any time, or from time to time, prior to August 15, 2003,
the Company may redeem up to 35% of the originally issued principal amount of
Securities at a redemption price equal to 112.875% of the principal amount of
the Securities so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages thereon, if any, to the redemption date, with the net proceeds of one or
more Equity Offerings; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that at least 65% of the originally
issued principal amount of Securities remains outstanding immediately after
giving effect to any such redemption and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that such redemption
will occur within 60 days of the date of the Closing of such Equity Offering.

8. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

                  Notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at
least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each
Holder of Securities to be redeemed at its registered address. The Trustee may
select for redemption portions of the principal amount of Securities that have
denominations equal to or larger than $1,000 principal amount. Securities and
portions of them the Trustee so selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 principal
amount or integral multiples thereof.

                  If any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to such Security shall state the portion of the
principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Security in a principal amount
equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder
thereof upon cancellation of the original Security. On and after the Redemption
Date, interest will cease to accrue on Securities or portions thereof called for
redemption so long as the Company has deposited with the Paying Agent for the
Securities funds in satisfaction of the redemption price pursuant to the
Indenture.

                                      B-4
<PAGE>   117

9. CHANGE OF CONTROL OFFER.

                  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will
be required to offer to purchase all outstanding Securities at a purchase price
equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the Change of Control
Purchase Date.

10. LIMITATION ON DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

                  The Company is, subject to certain conditions, obligated to
make an offer to purchase Securities at a purchase price equal to 100% of the
aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the Asset Sale Purchase Date.

11. SUBORDINATION.

                  The Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities is, to the extent
and in the manner provided in the Indenture, subordinated and subject in right
of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness as
defined in the Indenture, and this Security is issued subject to such
provisions. Each Holder of this Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to
and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee,
on behalf of such Holder, to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate
to effectuate the subordination as provided in the Indenture and (c) appoints
the Trustee attorney-in-fact of such Holder for such purpose.

12. DENOMINATIONS; TRANSFER; EXCHANGE.

                  The Securities are in registered form, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. A Holder shall
register the transfer or exchange of Securities in accordance with the
Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish
appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay certain transfer
taxes or similar governmental charges payable in connection therewith as
permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer or
exchange of any Securities or portions thereof selected for redemption, except
the unredeemed portion of any security being redeemed in part.

13. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.

                  The registered Holder of a Security shall be treated as the
owner of it for all purposes.

14. UNCLAIMED FUNDS.

                  If funds for the payment of principal or premium, if any, or
interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, remain unclaimed for two years, the
Trustee and the Paying Agent will repay the funds to the Company at its written
request. After that, all liability of the Trustee and such Paying Agent with
respect to such funds shall cease.

15. LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE.

                  The Company and the Guarantors may be discharged from their
obligations under the Indenture, the Securities and the Guarantee except for
certain provisions thereof, and may be discharged from obligations to comply
with certain covenants contained in the Indenture, the Securities and the
Guarantee, in each case upon satisfaction of certain conditions specified in the
Indenture.

                                      B-5
<PAGE>   118

16. AMENDMENT; SUPPLEMENT; WAIVER.

                  Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, the Securities
and the Guarantee may be amended or supplemented with the written consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities
then outstanding, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance
with any provision may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding. Without notice
to or consent of any Holder, the parties thereto may amend or supplement the
Indenture, the Securities and the Guarantee to, among other things, cure any
ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, provide for uncertificated Securities in
addition to or in place of Certificated Securities or comply with any
requirements of the Commission in connection with the qualification of the
Indenture under the TIA, or make any other change that does not materially
adversely affect the rights of any Holder of a Security.

17. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.

                  The Indenture contains certain covenants that, among other
things, limit the ability of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries to make
Restricted Payments, to incur Indebtedness, to create Liens, to sell assets, to
permit restrictions on dividends and other payments by Restricted Subsidiaries
to the Company, to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its
assets or to engage in transactions with Affiliates. The limitations are subject
to a number of important qualifications and exceptions. The Company must
annually report to the Trustee on compliance with such limitations.

18. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES.

                  If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee
or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Securities then
outstanding may declare all the Securities to be due and payable immediately in
the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Holders of Securities
may not enforce the Indenture, the Securities or the Guarantee except as
provided in the Indenture. The Trustee is not obligated to enforce the
Indenture, the Securities or the Guarantee unless it has received indemnity
satisfactory to it. The Indenture permits, subject to certain limitations
therein provided, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities then outstanding to direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust
or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of Securities notice of certain
continuing Defaults or Events of Default if it determines that withholding
notice is in their interest.

19. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY.

                  The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any
other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise
deal with the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates as if it
were not the Trustee.

20. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.

                  No stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Company
shall have any liability for any Obligation of the Company under the Securities
or the Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of,
such Obligations or their creation. Each Holder of a Security by accepting a
Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part
of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.

21. AUTHENTICATION.

                  This Security shall not be valid until the Trustee or
authenticating agent signs the certificate of authentication on this Security.

                                      B-6
<PAGE>   119
22. ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINED TERMS.

                  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder of
a Security or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=
tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act).

23. CUSIP NUMBERS.

                  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on
Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers
to be printed on the Securities as a convenience to the Holders of the
Securities. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers as
printed on the Securities and reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed hereon.

24. GOVERNING LAW.

                  The laws of the State of New York shall govern the Indenture,
this Security and the Guarantee without regard to principles of conflicts of
laws.

                                      B-7
<PAGE>   120

              [FORM OF NOTATION ON SECURITY RELATING TO GUARANTEE]

                          SENIOR SUBORDINATED GUARANTEE

                  Each of the Guarantors named below (the "GUARANTORS") has
unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis (such
guarantee being referred to herein as the "GUARANTEE") (i) the due and punctual
payment of the principal of and interest or premium or Liquidated Damages, if
any, on the Securities, whether on the Final Maturity Date, by acceleration,
call for redemption, upon a Change of Control Offer, upon an Asset Sale Offer or
otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal and
interest, if any, on the Securities and expenses, indemnification or otherwise,
and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to
the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article
Eleven and Article Twelve of the Indenture and (ii) in case of any extension of
time of payment or renewal of any Securities or any of such other obligations,
that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance
with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise.

                  The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders and to the
Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth and
are expressly subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor, to the extent and
in the manner provided, in Article Eleven and Article Twelve of the Indenture,
and reference is hereby made to such Indenture for the precise terms of the
Guarantee therein made.

                  No director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of any
Guarantor shall have any liability under the Guarantee by reason of such
person's status as director, officer, employee or stockholder. Each holder of a
Security by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The
waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the
Guarantee Indebtedness.

                  The Guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until the certificate of authentication on the Securities upon which the
Guarantee is noted shall have been executed by the Trustee under the Indenture
by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers.

                           RAILAMERICA, INC.
                           AUSTIN & NORTHWESTERN RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                           BOSTON CENTRAL FREIGHT RAILROAD, INC.
                           CASCADE AND COLUMBIA RIVER RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                           CENTRAL OREGON & PACIFIC RAILROAD, INC.
                           CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY OF INDIANA
                           CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY OF INDIANAPOLIS
                           CONNECTICUT SOUTHERN RAILROAD, INC.
                           DAKOTA RAIL, INC.
                           DALLAS, GARLAND & NORTHEASTERN RAILROAD, INC.
                           DALLAS, GARLAND & NORTHEASTERN RAILROAD, INC.
                           DELAWARE VALLEY RAILWAY COMPANY, INC.
                           FLORIDA RAIL LINES, INC.
                           GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD, INC.
                           HURON AND EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY, INC.
                           INDIANA & OHIO CENTRAL RAILROAD, INC.
                           INDIANA & OHIO RAIL CORP.

                                      B-8
<PAGE>   121
                           INDIANA & OHIO RAILWAY COMPANY
                           INDIANA SOUTHERN RAILROAD, INC.
                           MARKSMAN CORP.
                           MID-MICHIGAN RAILROAD, INC.
                           MINNESOTA NORTHERN RAILROAD, INC.
                           MISSOURI & NORTHERN ARKANSAS RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                           NEW ENGLAND CENTRAL RAILROAD, INC.
                           NEW ORLEANS LOWER COAST RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                           NORTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                           OTTER TAIL VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                           PALM BEACH RAIL HOLDING, INC.
                           PITTSBURG INDUSTRIAL RAILROAD, INC.
                           PLAINVIEW TERMINAL COMPANY
                           PRAIRIE HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                           RAIL OPERATING SUPPORT GROUP, INC.
                           RAILAMERICA AUSTRALIA, INC.
                           RAILAMERICA EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
                           RAILAMERICA INTERMODAL SERVICES, INC.
                           RAILINK ACQUISITION, INC.
                           RAILTEX ACQUISITION CORP.
                           RAILTEX DISTRIBUTION SERVICES, INC.
                           RAILTEX, INC.
                           RAILTEX INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
                           RAILTEX LOGISITICS, INC.
                           RAILTEX SERVICES CO., INC.
                           SAGINAW VALLEY RAILWAY COMPANY, INC.
                           SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                           SOUTH CAROLINA CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
                           SOUTH CENTRAL TENNESSEE RAILROAD CORP., INC.
                           ST. CROIX VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY
                           THE TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILROAD CORPORATION
                           TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILWAY CORPORATION
                           VENTURA COUNTY RAILROAD CO., INC.
                           WEST TEXAS AND LUBBOCK RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.,
                               as Guarantors

                           By:
                               ------------------------------------------------
                               Name:
                               Title:

                                      B-9
<PAGE>   122

                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

I or we assign and transfer this Security to

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee or transferee)

(Insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee or transferee)

and irrevocably appoint_________________________________________________________

agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may
substitute another to act for him.

Dated:___________________           Signed: ___________________________________
                                            (Signed exactly as name appears
                                            on the other side of this Security)

Signature Guarantee: __________________________________________________________
                         Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee
                         Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor
                         program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee)

                                      B-10
<PAGE>   123

                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

                  If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.05 or Section 4.14 of the Indenture, check the
appropriate box:

Section 4.05 [      ]
Section 4.14 [      ]

                  If you want to elect to have only part of this Security
purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.05 or Section 4.14 of the
Indenture, state the amount: $_____________

Dated:___________________    Your Signature:___________________________________
                                            (Signed exactly as name appears
                                            on the other side of this Security)

Signature Guarantee: __________________________________________________________
                         Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee
                         Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor
                         program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee)

                                      B-11
<PAGE>   124
                                                                      EXHIBIT C

                      FORM OF LEGEND FOR GLOBAL SECURITIES

                  Any Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall bear a legend (which would be in addition to any other legends required in
the case of a Restricted Security) in substantially the following form:

                  THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE
         INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A
         DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITORY OR A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY. THIS
         SECURITY IS NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A
         PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED
         CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS
         SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE
         DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE
         DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY) MAY
         BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE
         INDENTURE.

                  UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
         REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION
         ("DTC"), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER,
         EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE
         NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
         AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO.
         OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
         OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
         OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED
         OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

                                      C-1
<PAGE>   125
                                                                       EXHIBIT D

                            Form of Certificate To Be

                          Delivered in Connection with

                 Transfers to Institutional Accredited Investors

                                                         ---------------, ----
RailAmerica Transportation Corp.
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
Sixth & Marquette
MAC N9303-120
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

Attention: Corporate Trust Services

         Re:      RailAmerica Transportation Corp. (the "COMPANY")
                  Indenture (the "INDENTURE") relating to 12 7/8% Senior
                  Subordinated Notes due 2010, Series A, OR 12 7/8% Senior
                  Subordinated Notes Due 2010, Series B

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  In connection with our proposed purchase of 12 7/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2010, Series A, or 12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2010, Series B (the "SECURITIES"), of the Company, we confirm that:

                  1. We have received such information as we deem necessary in
         order to make our investment decision.

                  2. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the
         Securities is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth
         in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to
         resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Securities except in
         compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities
         Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT").

                  3. We understand that the offer and sale of the Securities
         have not been registered under the Securities Act, and, unless so
         registered, may not be offered, sold orotherwise transferred within the
         United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons
         except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own
         behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are acting as
         hereinafter stated, that if we should sell any Securities, we will do
         so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) inside the
         United States in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to
         a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined therein), (C) to an
         institutional "accredited investor" within the meaning of subparagraph
         (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3) or (a)(7) of Rule 501 under the Securities Act
         that is acquiring the Securities for its own account or for the account
         of such an institutional "accredited investor", for investment purposes
         and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any
         distribution in violation of the Securities Act, (D) pursuant to offers
         and sales that occur outside the United States within the meaning of
         Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) in accordance with another
         exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, or
         (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
         Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any
         requirement of law that the disposition of our property or the property
         of such investor account or accounts be at all times within our or
         their control and to compliance with any applicable state securities
         laws. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to
         the Resale Restriction Termination Date.

                                      D-1
<PAGE>   126

         If any resale or other transfer of the Securities is proposed to be
         made pursuant to clause (f) above prior to the Resale Restriction
         Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the
         transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Trustee
         under the Indenture pursuant to which the Securities were issued (the
         "Trustee") which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee
         is an institutional "accredited investor" within the meaning of
         subparagraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3) or (a)(7) of Rule 501 under the
         Securities Act and that it is acquiring such Securities for investment
         purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act.
         The Trustee and the Company reserve the right prior to any offer, sale
         or other transfer prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date of
         the Securities pursuant to clause (b), (c), (d), or (e) above to
         require the delivery of a written opinion of counsel, certifications,
         and or other information satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee.

                  4. We understand that, on any proposed resale of Securities,
         we will be required to furnish to the Trustee and the Company such
         certification, legal opinions and other information as the Trustee and
         the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale
         complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that
         the Securities purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing
         effect.

                  5. We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined
         in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3) or (a)(7) of Regulation D under the
         Securities Act) purchasing for our own account or for the account of
         such an institutional "accredited investor", and we are acquiring the
         Securities for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for offer
         or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the
         Securities Act and we have such knowledge and experience in financial
         and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and
         risks of our investment in the Securities, and we and any accounts for
         which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or
         its investment for an indefinite period.

                  6. We are acquiring the Securities purchased by us for our
         account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional
         "accredited investor") as to each of which we exercise sole investment
         discretion.

                  You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and
are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any
interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry
with respect to the matters covered hereby.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                           [Name of Transferee]

                                            By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                [Authorized Signatory]

                                      D-2
<PAGE>   127
                                                                      EXHIBIT E

                [FORM OF CERTIFICATION TO BE GIVEN BY HOLDERS OF
                       BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A TEMPORARY
                          REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY
                          TO EUROCLEAR OR CLEARSTREAM]

                         OWNER SECURITIES CERTIFICATION
                        RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP.

                   12 7/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2010

                                  CUSIP NO. U

                  Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of August
14, 2000 (the "INDENTURE"), by and among RailAmerica Transportation Corp., as
Issuer, each of the Guarantors named in the Indenture, as Guarantors, and Wells
Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings given to them in this Indenture.

                  This is to certify that, as of the date hereof, $      of the
above-captioned Securities (the "Securities") are beneficially owned by non-U.S.
person(s). As used in this paragraph, the term "U.S. person" has the meaning
given to it by Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                  We undertake to advise you promptly by tested telex on or
prior to the date on which you intend to submit your certification relating to
the Securities held by you for our account in accordance with your operating
procedures if any applicable statement herein is not correct on such date, and
in the absence of any such notification it may be assumed that this
certification applies as of such date.

                  We understand that this certificate is required in connection
with certain securities laws of the United States. In connection therewith, if
administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection
with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize
you to produce this certificate to any interested party in such proceedings.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit
and the benefit of the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

                                  Dated: __________, ____

                                  By:
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     As, or as agent for, the beneficial
                                     owner(s) of the Securities to which
                                     this certificate relates.

                                      E-1
<PAGE>   128
                                                                      EXHIBIT F

                       [FORM OF CERTIFICATION TO BE GIVEN
                          BY THE EUROCLEAR OPERATOR OR
                CLEARSTREAM BANKING, SOCIETE ANONYME, LUXEMBOURG]

                       DEPOSITORY SECURITIES CERTIFICATION
                        RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP.

                   12 7/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2010

                                  CUSIP NO. U

                  Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of August
14, 2000 (the "INDENTURE"), by and among RailAmerica Transportation Corp., as
Issuer, each of the Guarantors named in the Indenture, as Guarantors, and Wells
Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings given to them in this Indenture.

                  This is to certify that, with respect to U.S.$      principal
amount of the above-captioned Securities (the "SECURITIES"), except as set forth
below, we have received in writing, by tested telex or by electronic
transmission, from member organizations appearing in our records as persons
being entitled to a portion of the principal amount of the Securities (our
"MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS"), certifications with respect to such portion,
substantially to the effect set forth in this Indenture.(1)

                  We further certify (i) that we are not making available
herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, exercise of any rights or collection of
any interest) any portion of the Temporary Regulation S Global Security excepted
in such certifications and (ii) that as of the date hereof we have not received
any notification from any of our Member Organizations to the effect that the
statements made by such Member Organizations with respect to any portion of the
part submitted herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, exercise of any rights or
collection of any interest) are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as of
the date hereof.

---------------------------

(1) Unless Mortan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, London Branch is otherwise
    informed by the Agent, the long form certificate set out in the Operating
    Procedures will be deemed to meet the requirements of this sentence.

                                      F-1
<PAGE>   129
                  We understand that this certification is required in
connection with certain securities laws of the United States. In connection
therewith, if administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in
connection with which this certification is or would be relevant, we irrevocably
authorize you to produce this certification to any interested party in such
proceedings. This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for
your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer, the Guarantor and the Initial
Purchaser.

                                Dated: ___________, ____

                                Yours faithfully,

                                [MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF
                                NEW YORK, as operator of the Euroclear System]

                                or

                                CLEARSTREAM BANKING, SOCIETE ANONYME, LUXEMBOURG

                                By:
                                   --------------------------------------------

                                      F-2
<PAGE>   130

                                                                      EXHIBIT G

                      [FORM OF CERTIFICATION TO BE GIVEN BY
                     TRANSFEREE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A
                     TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY]

                       TRANSFEREE SECURITIES CERTIFICATION
                        RAILAMERICA TRANSPORTATION CORP.

                   12 7/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2010

                                  CUSIP NO. U

                  Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of August
14, 2000 (the "INDENTURE"), by and among RailAmerica Transportation Corp., as
Issuer, each of the Guarantors named in the Indenture, as Guarantors, and Wells
Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings given to them in this Indenture.

                  For purposes of acquiring a beneficial interest in the
Temporary Regulation S Global Security, the undersigned certifies that it is not
a U.S. Person as defined by Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.

                  We undertake to advise you promptly by tested telex on or
prior to the date on which you intend to submit your certification relating to
the Securities held by you in which we intend to acquire a beneficial interest
in accordance with your operating procedures if any applicable statement herein
is not correct on such date, and in the absence of any such notification it may
be assumed that this certification applies as of such date.

                  We understand that this certificate is required in connection
with certain securities laws of the United States. In connection therewith, if
administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection
with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize
you to produce this certificate to any interested party in such proceeding. This
certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and
the benefit of the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

                                Dated: _____________, ____

                                By:
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    As, or as agent for, the beneficial acquiror
                                    of the Securities to which
                                    this certificate relates.

                                      G-1
<PAGE>   131

                                                                      EXHIBIT H

                FORM OF CERTIFICATION FOR TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE OF
                          RESTRICTED GLOBAL SECURITY TO
                     PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY

Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
as Trustee
Sixth & Marquette
MAC N9303-120
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

Attention:  Corporate Trust Services

                  Re:      RailAmerica Transportation Corp.
                           12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
                           due 2010 (the "Securities")

                  Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of August
14, 2000 (the "INDENTURE"), by and among RailAmerica Transportation Corp., as
Issuer, each of the Guarantors named in the Indenture, as Guarantors, and Wells
Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings given to them in this Indenture.

                  This letter relates to U.S.$____________ aggregate principal
amount of Securities which are held in the form of the Restricted Global
Security (CUSIP No. ) with the Depository in the name of [insert name of
transferor] (the "TRANSFEROR"). The Transferor has requested a transfer of such
beneficial interest in the Securities to a Person who will take delivery thereof
in the form of an equal aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by
the Permanent Regulation S Global Security (CUSIP No. ).

                  In connection with such request, and in respect of such
Securities, the Transferor does hereby certify that such transfer has been
effected in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the
Securities and,

                  (1) with respect to transfers made in reliance on Regulation S
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), the
Transferor does hereby certify that:

                  (A) the offer of the Securities was not made to a person in
         the United States;

                  [(B) (at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee
         was outside the United States or the Transferor and any person acting
         on its behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the
         United States;]

                  [(B) the transaction was executed in, on or through the
         facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither the
         Transferor nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the
         transaction was pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States;](1)

-------------------------

(1) Insert one of these two provisions, which come from the definition of
    "offshore trhsnactions" in Regulation S.

                                      H-1
<PAGE>   132

                  (C) no directed selling efforts have been made in
         contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or 904(b) of
         Regulation S, as applicable; and

                  (D) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade
         the registration requirements of the Securities Act; and

                  (2) with respect to transfers made in reliance on Rule 144
under the Securities Act, the Transferor does hereby certify that the Securities
are being transferred in a transaction permitted by Rule 144 under the
Securities Act.

                  We understand that this certificate is required in connection
with certain securities laws of the United States. In connection therewith, if
administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection
with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize
you to produce this certificate to any interested party in such proceeding. This
certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and
the benefit of the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

                                 [Insert Name of Transferor]

                                  By:
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

Dated:
       -------------------------------------
cc:  RailAmerica Transportation Corp.

                                      H-2
<PAGE>   133
                                                                       EXHIBIT I

                FORM OF CERTIFICATION FOR TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE OF
                    PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY TO
                           RESTRICTED GLOBAL SECURITY

Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
as Trustee
Sixth & Marquette
MAC N9303-120
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

Attention:  Corporate Trust Services

                  Re:      RailAmerica Transportation Corp.
                           12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
                           due 2010 (the "Securities")

                  Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of August
14, 2000 (the "INDENTURE"), by and among RailAmerica Transportation Corp., as
Issuer, each of the Guarantors named in the Indenture, as Guarantors, and Wells
Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings given to them in this Indenture.

                  This letter relates to U.S.$ principal amount of Securities
which are evidenced by an aggregate [Permanent Regulation S Global Security
(CUSIP No. )] and held with the Depository through [Euroclear] [Clearstream]
(Common Code ) in the name of [insert name of transferor] (the "TRANSFEROR").
The Transferor has requested a transfer of such beneficial interest in
Securities to a person that will take delivery thereof in the form of an equal
principal amount of Securities evidenced by a Restricted Global Security of the
same series and of like tenor as the Securities (CUSIP No. ).

                  In connection with such request and in respect of such
Securities, the Transferor does hereby certify that such transfer is being
effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act
and, accordingly, the Transferor does hereby further certify that the Securities
are being transferred to a person that the Transferor reasonably believes is
purchasing the Securities for its own account, or for one or more accounts with
respect to which such person exercises sole investment discretion, and such
person and each such account is a "qualified institutional buyer" within the
meaning of Rule 144A, in each case in a transaction meeting the requirements of
Rule 144A and in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of
the United States.

                                      I-1
<PAGE>   134
                  This certificate and the statements contained herein are made
for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Initial
Purchasers.

                                  [Insert Name of Transferor]

                                  By:
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

Dated:
       -------------------------------------

cc:  RailAmerica Transportation Corp.

                                      I-2
<PAGE>   135
                                                                    EXHIBIT J-1

                       FORM OF CERTIFICATION FOR TRANSFER
                OR EXCHANGE OF NON-GLOBAL RESTRICTED SECURITY TO
                           RESTRICTED GLOBAL SECURITY

Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
as Trustee
Sixth & Marquette
MAC N9303-120
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

Attention:  Corporate Trust Services

                  Re:      RailAmerica Transportation Corp.
                           12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
                           due 2010 (the "Securities")

                  Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of August
14, 2000 (the "INDENTURE"), by and among RailAmerica Transportation Corp., as
Issuer, each of the Guarantors named in the Indenture, as Guarantors, and Wells
Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings given to them in this Indenture.

                  This letter relates to $ principal amount of Restricted
Securities held in definitive form (CUSIP No.      ) by [insert name of
transferor] (the "TRANSFEROR"). The Transferor has requested an exchange or
transfer of such Securities.

                  In connection with such request and in respect of such
Securities, the Transferor does hereby certify that (i) such Securities are
owned by the Transferor and are being exchanged without transfer or (ii) such
transfer has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A or Rule
144 under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES
ACT") and accordingly the Transferor does hereby further certify that:

                  (1) if the transfer has been effected pursuant to Rule 144A:

                          (A) the Securities are being transferred to a person
                 that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the
                 Securities for its own account, or for one or more accounts
                 with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment
                 discretion;

                          (B) such Person and each such account is a "qualified
                 institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A; and

                          (C) the Securities have been transferred in a
                 transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and in
                 accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of
                 the United States; or

                  (2) if the transfer has been effected pursuant to Rule 144:

                                     J-1-1
<PAGE>   136

                           (A) more than two years has elapsed since the date of
                  the closing of the initial placement of the Securities
                  pursuant to the Purchase Agreement; and

                           (B) the Securities have been transferred in a
                  transaction permitted by Rule 144 and made in accordance with
                  any applicable securities laws of any state of the United
                  States.

                  We understand that this certificate is required in connection
with certain securities laws of the United States. In connection therewith, if
administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection
with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize
you to produce this certificate to any interested party in such proceeding. This
certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and
the benefit of the Issuer, the Guarantor and the Initial Purchaser.

                                Dated: _____________, ____

                                [Insert Name of Transferor]

                                By:
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                   Name:
                                   Title:

cc:  RailAmerica Transportation Corp.

                                     J-1-2
<PAGE>   137

                                                                   EXHIBIT J-2

                       FORM OF CERTIFICATION FOR TRANSFER
                OR EXCHANGE OF NON-GLOBAL RESTRICTED SECURITY TO
                     PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY
                    OR TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY

Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
as Trustee
Sixth & Marquette
MAC N9303-120
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

Attention:  Corporate Trust Services

                  Re:      RailAmerica Transportation Corp.
                           12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
                           due 2010 (the "Securities")

                  Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of August
14, 2000 (the "INDENTURE"), by and among RailAmerica Transportation Corp., as
Issuer, each of the Guarantors named in the Indenture, as Guarantors, and Wells
Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings given to them in this Indenture.

                  This letter relates to $        principal amount of Restricted
Securities held in definitive form (CUSIP No. ) by [insert name of transferor]
(the "TRANSFEROR"). The Transferor has requested an exchange or transfer of such
Securities.

                  In connection with such request and in respect of such
Securities, the Transferor does hereby certify that (i) such Securities are
owned by the Transferor and are being exchanged without transfer or (ii) such
transfer has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with (a) Rule 903 or
Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), or
(b) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and accordingly the Transferor does
hereby further certify that:

                  (1) if the transfer has been effected pursuant to Rule 903 or
         Rule 904:

                           (A) the offer of the Securities was not made to a
                  person in the United States;

                           (B) either;

                  (i) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee
         was outside the United States or the Transferor and any person acting
         on its behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the
         United States, or

                  (ii) the transaction was executed in, on or through the
         facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither the
         Transferor nor any person acting on its behalf knows that the
         transaction was pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States;

                                     J-2-1
<PAGE>   138

                           (C) no directed selling efforts have been made in
                  contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or 904(b) of
                  Regulation S, as applicable;

                           (D) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme
                  to evade the registration requirements of the Act; and

                           (E) if such transfer is to occur during the
                  Restricted Period, upon completion of the transaction, the
                  beneficial interest being transferred as described above was
                  held with the Depository through [Euroclear] [Clearstream]; or

                  (2) if the transfer has been effected pursuant to Rule 144:

                           (A) more than two years has elapsed since the date of
                  the closing of the initial placement of the Securities
                  pursuant to the Purchase Agreement; and

                           (B) the Securities have been transferred in a
                  transaction permitted by Rule 144 and made in accordance with
                  any applicable securities laws of any state of the United
                  States.

                  We understand that this certificate is required in connection
with certain securities laws of the United States. In connection therewith, if
administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection
with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize
you to produce this certificate to any interested party in such proceeding. This
certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and
the benefit of the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

                                  Dated: ____________, ____

                                  [Insert Name of Transferor]

                                  By:
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

cc:  RailAmerica Transportation Corp.

                                     J-2-2
<PAGE>   139
                                                                    EXHIBIT K-1

                       FORM OF CERTIFICATION FOR TRANSFER
                OR EXCHANGE OF NON-GLOBAL PERMANENT REGULATION S
                     SECURITY TO RESTRICTED GLOBAL SECURITY

Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
as Trustee
Sixth & Marquette
MAC N9303-120
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

Attention:  Corporate Trust Services

                  Re:      RailAmerica Transportation Corp.
                           12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
                           due 2010 (the "Securities")

                  Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of August
14, 2000 (the "INDENTURE"), by and among RailAmerica Transportation Corp., as
Issuer, each of the Guarantors named in the Indenture, as Guarantors, and Wells
Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings given to them in this Indenture.

                  This letter relates to $        principal amount of Restricted
Securities held in definitive form (CUSIP No. ) by [insert name of transferor]
(the "TRANSFEROR"). The Transferor has requested an exchange or transfer of such
Securities.

                  In connection with such request and in respect of such
Securities, the Transferor does hereby certify that (i) such Securities are
owned by the Transferor and are being exchanged without transfer or (ii) such
transfer has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under
the Securities Act, and accordingly the Transferor does hereby further certify
that the Securities are being transferred to a person that the Transferor
reasonably believes is purchasing the Securities for its own account, or for one
or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment
discretion, and such Person and each such account is a "qualified institutional
buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A, in each case in a transaction meeting
the requirements of Rule 144A and in accordance with any applicable securities
laws of any state of the United States.

                                     K-1-1
<PAGE>   140

                  We understand that this certificate is required in connection
with certain securities laws of the United States. In connection therewith, if
administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection
with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize
you to produce this certificate to any interested party in such proceeding. This
certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and
the benefit of the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

                               Dated: _______________, ____

                               [Insert Name of Transferor]

                                By:
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                   Name:
                                   Title:

cc:  RailAmerica Transportation Corp.

                                     K-1-2
<PAGE>   141
                                                                    EXHIBIT K-2

                       FORM OF CERTIFICATION FOR TRANSFER
                OR EXCHANGE OF NON-GLOBAL PERMANENT REGULATION S
               SECURITY TO PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL SECURITY

Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
as Trustee
Sixth & Marquette
MAC N9303-120
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

Attention:  Corporate Trust Services

                  Re:      RailAmerica Transportation Corp.
                           12 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
                           due 2010 (the "Securities")

                  Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of August
14, 2000 (the "INDENTURE"), by and among RailAmerica Transportation Corp., as
Issuer, each of the Guarantors named in the Indenture, as Guarantors, and Wells
Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings given to them in this Indenture.

                  This letter relates to $______________ principal amount of
Restricted Securities held in definitive form (CUSIP No. ) by [insert name of
transferor] (the "TRANSFEROR"). The Transferor has requested an exchange or
transfer of such Securities.

                  In connection with such request and in respect of such
Securities, the Transferor does hereby certify that (i) such Securities are
owned by the Transferor and are being exchanged without transfer or (ii) such
transfer has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with (a) Rule 903 or
Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), or
(b) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and accordingly the Transferor does
hereby further certify that:

                  (1) if the transfer has been effected pursuant to Rule 903 or
         Rule 904:

                  (A) the offer of the Securities was not made to a person in
         the United States;

                  (B) either;

                           (i) at the time the buy order was originated, the
                  transferee was outside the United States or the Transferor and
                  any person acting on its behalf reasonably believed that the
                  transferee was outside the United States, or

                           (ii) the transaction was executed in, on or through
                  the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and
                  neither the Transferor nor any person acting on its behalf
                  knows that the transaction was pre-arranged with a buyer in
                  the United States;

                                     K-2-1
<PAGE>   142

                  (C) no directed selling efforts have been made in
         contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or 904 (b) of
         Regulation S, as applicable;

                  (D) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade
         the registration requirements of the Act; and

                  (E) if such transfer is to occur during the Restricted Period,
         upon completion of the transaction, the beneficial interest being
         transferred as described above was held with the Depository through
         [Euroclear] [Clearstream]; or

                  (2) if the transfer has been effected pursuant to Rule 144:

                  (A) more than two years has elapsed since the date of the
         closing of the initial placement of the Securities pursuant to the
         Purchase Agreement; and

                  (B) the Securities have been transferred in a transaction
         permitted by Rule 144 and made in accordance with any applicable
         securities laws of any state of the United States.

                  We understand that this certificate is required in connection
with certain securities laws of the United States. In connection therewith, if
administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection
with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize
you to produce this certificate to any interested party in such proceeding. This
certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and
the benefit of the Issuer, Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

                              Dated: ______________, ____

                              [Insert Name of Transferor]

                              By:
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

cc:  RailAmerica Transportation Corp.

                                     K-2-2

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