BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 2004--RailAmerica, Inc. (NYSE:RRA) today announced that its subsidiary, Indiana & Ohio Central Railroad (IOCR), notified the Surface Transportation Board (STB) of its intent to purchase 107 miles of railroad from Cincinnati, Ohio to Columbus, Ohio (The Midland Subdivision) and to lease the related real estate from CSX Corporation's (NYSE:CSX) subsidiary, CSX Transportation, Inc., subject to negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement. The line will be operated as part of the IOCR, which anticipates moving approximately 18,000 carloads annually over the line. RailAmerica expects to realize significant synergy between the line and its other Ohio and Indiana railroad properties. The IOCR connects with the Midland Subdivision at Washington Courthouse, Ohio and RailAmerica's Indiana & Ohio Railway (IORY) at Springfield, Ohio. Major customers on the line are Cargill, Sabina Farmer's Exchange, Lowe's and Weyerhaeuser. Primary commodities shipped on the line are agricultural & farm products, chemicals, and paper products. The Midland Subdivision is the second line awarded by CSX to subsidiaries of RailAmerica this year. The Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern Railroad (CFE), which was acquired through a lease agreement with CSX by the Central Railroad of Indianapolis (CERA), commenced operations on August 1, 2004. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Guys,This is good but sad news.The Midland Subdivision was the B&O main line from Columbus to Cincinnati.I recall seeing many B&O trains travel this line when I was a kid..I recall seeing the last B&O steam locomotive use this line..A 2-8-0 on a peddler freight back in 1956.The reason I recall this is because the engineer,fireman and head brakie(he help boost me in the cab so I would not get my clothes dirty) let me in the cab..Of course I got to blow the whistle and ring the bell. Big doings for a lad of 8.
It's always sad to see changes from the old familiar scenes. I don't know much about the quality of the new operator for this segment. Hope they're decent? The alternative, would likely be a hiking/biking trail. Of which most are almost useless tax revenue eaters... Boxcab E50
Just remember ... you have memories of your day that are extra special to you .. but there's many, many more generations that will fondly remember RailAmerica on the old B&O line. Somethingn positive always can emerge from anything seeming negative
Well RA seems to be a good operator of short lines looking at I&OC operation on the old C&O Athens Sub(Columbus(Oh) to Logan) which appears to be a first class short line operation from my 3 work day observation of its daily operation in June of last year..Of course I am looking forward to observe the CFTW&E operations locally on the old PRR Ft. Wayne Line.I will no doubt be paying the Midland Sub a visit some time in the future.. I am,of course,happy that the Midland Sub is a short line instead of ending up as another Rail to Trail path..
