— by Jeff Stagl

The pace of the recovery is as top of mind for short liners as it is for Class Is. As of late November, the large roads' 2009 traffic remained down about 20 percent year over year, and short lines — which count on their Class I interchange partners to help drive carloads — had a difficult time offsetting the decline, says American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association President Richard Timmons.

"Short lines have put in the time to develop new business this year — they've re-doubled their efforts and left no stone unturned," he says.

Class Is have been more receptive to short lines' new business ideas, but some of the new traffic generated "could melt away when volumes come back," says Timmons. So, uncovering long-term traffic opportunities will be key in 2010.

Regulation Overload

Finding ways to comply with about 32 new regulations and seven amended regulations stipulated in the Rail Safety Act of 2008 without sufficient funding and manpower will be a top short-line priority, as well, says Timmons.

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