WASHINGTON – A Canadian pension fund is teaming with shortline holding company Jaguar Transportation to acquire five shortline railroads totalling more than 450 miles, according to a regulatory filing.
The railroads involved in the transaction, which is expected to take effect on Nov. 1, include:
● The 245-mile Cimarron Valley Railroad, which operates in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado.
● The 53-mile Southwestern Railroad, which operates in New Mexico.
● The 30-mile Texas & Eastern Railroad, which operates the Texas State Railroad tourist train.
● The 108-mile Washington Eastern Railroad in Washington State.
● The 27-mile Oregon Eastern Railroad in Oregon.
Jaguar, based in Joplin, Mo., is headed by a pair of Watco veterans, Stu Towner and Terry Towner. The company’s current operations include the West Memphis Base Railroad and two transload terminals on the Arkansas short line.
The Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund, which invests and manages one of Canada’s largest pension plans for public employees, indirectly controls Jaguar Transportation Holdings.
The pension fund and Jaguar will acquire the railroads from Snowy Range Cattle Co. and David Durbano. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
