HOUSTON — County Line Rail, which acquires and develops rail yards and terminals in the Gulf Coast region, has purchased the Sabine River & Northern, a 40-mile short line in the southeastern corner of Texas.
The railroad dates to 1966. It connects three Class I railroads — BNSF, CPKC, and Union Pacific. It operates a 32-mile main line between Bessmay and Echo, Texas, with an 8-mile branch between Buna and Evandale, Texas.
“We are excited at the opportunity to expand our rail footprint in East Texas and provide support for the region’s continued economic growth,” County Line Rail CEO Ben Brosseau said in a press release. “CLR will revitalize this underutilized asset and offer first-rate rail service on the triple-served short line. With our planned upgrades meeting Class II standards, the SRN will alleviate rail congestion around Beaumont and offer railcar services including storage, transloading, cleaning, and Class I access.”
The acquisition also includes Mulford Yard, a storage yard and loop track in Orange, Texas., located near a U.S. Gypsum manufacturing facility formerly operated by International Paper; 100 acres of developable land adjacent to the railroad which will be available for sale or lease to businesses seeking rail service; and a connection to an existing County Line Rail storage yard in Buna.
County Line Rail also has facilities in Mont Belvieu and Silsbee, Texas. It offers services including switching, railcar storage and repair, and transloading. More information is available at the company’s website.
This is another example of the churning of the short line RRs being sold, traded, expanded, ETC.
This acquisition obviously strengthens CLR’s ability to support regional businesses, expand services and enhance local rail infrastructure.
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