Rail News: Short Lines & Regionals
Progressive Rail to commemorate new passing tracks in Wisconsin; Farmrail to serve more oilfield customers in Oklahoma

Progressive Rail Inc.'s Wisconsin Northern Railroad plans to hold a "golden spike" ceremony on Nov. 16 in Chippewa Falls, Wis., to mark the completion of two new passing tracks along a mainline in Eagle Point, Wis.

The passing tracks "will dramatically increase the rail network capacity serving northwest Wisconsin," Progressive Rail officials said in a ceremony announcement. "The net result means more businesses of all types can be safely and efficiently handled in … Wisconsin."

The project was funded by an investment of more than $5 million that was "all made possible by private-sector funds," they said.

Meanwhile, Farmrail System Inc. announced that WestOK Logistics has become the fifth crude-oil gatherer on Farmrail Corp.'s system in Sayre, Okla.

In addition, JP Energy has established a truck-to-rail transloading operation on Grainbelt Corp.'s line in Carleton, "affording efficient access to production from the Mississippian formation in west-central Oklahoma," Farmrail System officials said in a news item posted on the company's web site.

Farmrail System manages an 82-mile line between Weatherford and Erick, Okla., and an additional 89 miles of track between Westhom and Elmer, Okla., for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Its Grainbelt subsidiary operates a 176-mile line linking Enid and Frederick, Okla.

Farmrail System also determined that carloads handled through 2012's first three quarters eclipsed the total from any full year since the company's route structure was formed in 1993.

"Frac sand is certain to be the leading commodity for the third consecutive year, with crude oil a likely future contender with wheat for second place," Farmrail officials said.

Year-to-date traffic growth underscores Farmrail's transformation from an agricultural-dependent railroad to "one driven primarily by resurgent oilfield development," they said.