Follow the attached link to RailAmerica's press release page which explains their planned acquisition of StatesRail for $90 million. The railroads operated by StatesRail include: Kyle Railroad (Kansas, Colorado) Kiamichi Railroad (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas) San Joaquin Valley Railroad (California) Alabama and Gulf Coast (Alabama, Florida) Arizona Eastern Railway (Arizona) Eastern Alabama Railroad (Alabama) San Pedro and Southwestern Railroad (Arizona) Lahaina, Kaanapali and Pacific Railroad (Hawaii) A full description of each railroad is included in the press release. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval, and the press release notes that the decision is expected within the next 45 days.
Thanks for the heads-up, Kevin! For those who may want to know a little more about StatesRail, here's a link to their site: StatesRail Home Page I've shot photos of the Kiamichi since Day One until I moved in January 1999, and it's an interesting railroad.
With the new aquisitions by Rail America one of their lines will slip into history, the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway. See my post in the CPR board, "End of an Era." [ 30 November 2001: Message edited by: E&NRailway ]</p>
One sad outcome to the absorption of Statesrail- the Hugo Heritage Railroad will not be allowed to operate on the Kiamichi Railroad any more. This excursion train started & terminated at the Frisco depot in Hugo, OK, and operated with three renovated ex-Norfolk & Western coaches (built 1949 by ACF, and last used by N&W on the Orland Park, IL commuter train out of Chicago). Power was supplied by Kiamichi. Usual destinations were Antlers, Boswell, and Valliant, OK, and Paris, TX. The museum itself is a masterpiece- it houses a museum, as well as a restored Harvey House lunch counter. Is this the end of excursion trains on Kiamichi? Who knows??? (former resident of the area from 1986-1999, and friend of Kiamichi founder & president Jack Hadley)
