short lines

Texas rail advocates want state to fight for federal rail grants

A photoraph of a rail track in a desert-like field. A small building with a sign that says East Texas is next to the track.

Texas short-line operators are urging the state to pursue federal funds that would help finance rail projects in the state.

They’re highlighting federal grants available from the Federal Railroad Administration, especially as the window to apply for grants is expected to open in May. They say Texas hasn’t ever participated in any FRA funding that assists and encourages short-line investment.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to seize the day and for once have Texas participate in a...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/texas-rail-advocates-want-state-to-fight-for-federal-rail-grants

Why are freight railroads separated into classes?

A photograph of a train hauling hopper cars across a valley.

U.S. freight railroads are usually identified as Class I, Class II or Class III. That can be helpful for several reasons.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB), an independent federal agency that oversees the economic regulation of freight railroads and deals with issues related to railroad rates and rail service, has divided the freight railroads into three categories based on their operating revenue. According to the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), those...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/why-are-freight-railroads-separated-into-classes

Rail Roundup: Promotions and appointments

A photograph of a Kansas City Southern train in a rail yard.Short line operator Pioneer Lines appoints leaders

Pioneer Lines, a short line operator based in Denver, has a new chief financial officer and chief commercial officer.

Thirty-year industry veteran Thomas “Tom” Hurlbut has become the new CFO for Pioneer. Hurlbut recently served at Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC), where he performed roles including vice president and controller and interim CFO. He also served as vice president of audit and compliance, where he oversaw the ethics compliance program,...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/rail-roundup-promotions-and-appointments

Short line tax credit could become permanent

A photograph of a railroad track in a field.

The U.S. freight rail industry is hopeful that a temporary federal incentive that encourages short line railroads to make capital investments will become permanent.

Within the $1.4 trillion fiscal year 2021 appropriations bill that Congress passed, there is a provision that would make permanent the short line tax credit. The credit, also known as the 45G tax credit in reference to the U.S. tax code, provides short lines with up to $3,500 per short line railroad mile to invest in infrastructure...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/short-line-tax-credit-could-become-permanent

Short line shorts: Jaguar grows network, OmniTRAX adds rail-ready sites

A photograph of a Cimarron Valley Railroad train crossing a bridge.Jaguar expands footprint

Joplin, Missouri-headquartered Jaguar Transport Holdings has acquired five short line railroads from Ogden, Utah-based The Western Group, a rail transportation services company. 

The Thursday announcement comes days after Jaguar said it had acquired an industrial park in Central Ohio.

Jaguar assumed operations of the following five railroads on Sunday: Cimarron Valley Railroad, which serves southwest Kansas, northern Oklahoma and eastern Colorado; Washington Eastern...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/short-line-shorts-jaguar-grows-network-omnitrax-adds-rail-ready-sites

US DOT revamps loan program for short line railroads

A photograph of a train traveling next to a highway.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is expanding a loan program aimed at providing long-term, low-cost loans to short line and regional railroads.

The changes will expand the eligibility requirements for the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Express program, or RRIF Express. The pilot loan program seeks to reduce the time and costs associated with securing loans for projects that aim to modernize aging freight and commuter rail infrastructure. 

“Expanding this financing...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/us-dot-revamps-loan-program-for-short-line-railroads

OmniTRAX establishes audit committee to guide company’s growth plans

A photograph of a train carrying intermodal containers across a field. The sun is bright in the sky above the train.

Short line operator OmniTRAX is creating an audit committee to help steer its strategic growth plan, the company announced Tuesday.

The committee will consist of OmniTRAX board members, managers and members of the Broe family. OmniTRAX is an affiliate of the Broe Group, a Denver-based private equity firm.

The committee will provide financial reporting and analysis to help inform OmniTRAX’s growth strategy, the company said. 

Chairing the committee will be Mike Brothers, a founding OmniTRAX board...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/omnitrax-establishes-audit-committee-to-guide-companys-growth-plans

OmniTRAX courts potential customers with rail-ready sites

A photograph of a train hauling grain hopper cars. The train is at a railroad crossing.

Short line operator OmniTRAX has been developing a number of “rail-ready” industrial sites across the U.S. as part of a wider program to encourage potential customers to consider placing their facilities near rail-served properties.

The latest location is in the Chicago area through a partnership between OmniTRAX and the Calumet Area Industrial Commission. The parties are marketing rail sites at the Chicago Rail Link (CRL).

“The southside of Chicago is undergoing a major industrial renaissance...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/omnitrax-courts-potential-customers-with-rail-ready-sites

OmniTRAX’s Winchester and Western readies commercial development sites in West Virginia

A photograph of a train locomotive. There are trees behind the train.

OmniTRAX is seeking companies that would be interested in developing commercial facilities at six potential sites along the West Virginia branch of the Winchester & Western Railroad (WW).

OmniTRAX, a short line operator and affiliate of The Broe Group, worked with the Berkeley County Development Authority in West Virginia to identify sites that could be developed as rail-served manufacturing, food and beverage processing, and distribution facilities. The six initial sites are part of OmniTRAX’s r...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/omnitraxs-winchester-and-western-readies-commercial-development-sites-in-west-virginia

+ More
Join Our Newsletter
Enter your email to receive a weekly round-up of shipping news.
icon
By subscribing, you agree with our privacy policy and our terms of service.