shortlines

Regional Rail to acquire 2 Midwestern short lines

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Short-line operator Regional Rail, with support from its backer, infrastructure investment firm 3i,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/regional-rail-to-acquire-2-midwestern-short-lines

FRA hears clashing views from railroads, unions on train crew size

Railroads and unions gave conflicting views during a hearing by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on a proposed rulemaking that would require freight trains generally to have at least two crew members in the locomotive cab. The agency is gathering public testimony through next week.

Here are some key issues that the railroads and unions addressed at the Wednesday hearing:

Mandating set crew size blocks innovative work configurations, say railroads

The railroads and the unions just ended a...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fra-hears-clashing-views-from-railroads-unions-on-train-crew-size

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

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

Patriot Rail acquires Salt Lake City short line operator

A photograph of Patriot Rail train at a rail yard.

Jacksonville, Florida-headquartered Patriot Rail plans to acquire fellow short line operator Salt Lake Garfield & Western Railway (SLGW).

The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, will also include SLGW’s entities Caballero and Caballero 2, which are storage and transload service providers. SLGW is based in Salt Lake City.

“The agreement aligns with Patriot’s vision of future growth as a premier service provider in the U.S. short line railway...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/patriot-rail-acquires-salt-lake-city-short-line-operator

Federal Railroad Administration awards CRISI grants

A photograph of a train traveling through a snowy forest.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded $320.6 million to 50 projects in 29 states as part of a grant program aimed at helping localities, short lines and passenger railroads improve the safety and efficiency of their rail networks. 

The monies came from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, a five-year program authorized by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act to improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of intercity...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/federal-railroad-administration-awards-crisi-grants

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 appoints former Union Pacific exec as chairman of its board

Two photographs next to each other. On the left is a portrait of a man in a suit. On the right is photograph of a freight train locomotive.

U.S. short line operator OmniTRAX has elected Cameron Scott, a former Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) chief operating officer, as the chair of its board of directors.

The Denver-headquartered company says the appointment will help the company as it seeks to attract more customers to rail-based supply chains. 

“As our customers ramp up for increased demand consumption and new supply chain models, our focus is on growing carload volume to support those expanded needs, as well as investing in our assets...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/omnitrax-appoints-former-union-pacific-exec-as-chairman-of-its-board

Senators introduce bill on financing loans for rail infrastructure projects

A photograph of a train passing by an old wooden barn in the middle of a field.

Two U.S. senators last week introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at helping short line railroads and passenger railroads finance capital investment projects.

Republican Senator John Thune (South Dakota) and Democrat Senator Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire) introduced the Railroad Rehabilitation and Financing Innovation Act, which aims to bolster the existing railroad rehabilitation and improvement financing (RRIF) loan program.

The bill seeks to improve the existing program through three...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/senators-introduce-bill-on-financing-loans-for-rail-infrastructure-projects

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