DENVER — Short line holding company OmniTRAX will acquire the Winchester & Western, a 101-year railroad operating approximately 100 route-miles in Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, and Maryland.
The $105 million acquisition from Covia Holdings Corp. is expected to close during the third quarter of this year, subject to review from the Surface Transportation Board.
Winchester & Western’s Virginia Division includes 53 miles of track in the Shenandoah Valley and moves approximately 15,000 carloads per year. The 47 miles of its New Jersey Division, spread among four lines, moves approximately 11,000 loads per year.
“OmniTRAX has been growing at an average annual rate of 20+ percent for the past five years and the acquisition of this strategic distribution hub is a deliberate step toward enhancing the continued growth and strength of our thriving network,” Kevin Shuba, OmniTRAX CEO, said in a press release. “Our expansion into these dynamic markets with a diverse, established customer base and strong regional economic partners offers tremendous growth potential and we have high expectations for economic impact and job production.”
OmniTRAX currently operates 20 short lines in the U.S. and Canada. The Winchester & Western will be the easternmost property in its system. Its current list of operations is available here.
