NCDOT selects operator for Piedmont & Northern

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

After a competitive solicitation for proposals to operate the state-owned Piedmont & Northern (P&N) railroad line between Gastonia and Mt. Holly, N.C., the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has selected Piedmont Railway, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC, as the best candidate to operate the rail line.

 

NCDOT and Iowa Pacific Holdings/Piedmont Railway have now agreed in principle to a lease agreement for rail service on NCDOT’s P&N rail corridor in Gaston County. Execution of the agreement is dependent on NCDOT board approval at its May 7 meeting. Under the terms of the agreement, Iowa Pacific’s Piedmont Railway subsidiary will operate, maintain and market freight service on the line. In addition, the railroad will have the opportunity to provide passenger rail services including excursion, tourist, dinner trains and holiday season trains.

Located about 20 miles west of Charlotte, the P&N 13-mile corridor extends from Mount Holly to Gastonia with a short branch line towards Belmont. The line has strategic interchanges with Norfolk Southern at Gastonia and CSX at Mount Holly.

“The Rail Division has worked very closely with Gaston County to select the best operator for this line,” said NCDOT Rail Director Paul Worley. “We look forward to this opportunity to improve freight service along the railroad to support new and existing economic development and job creation opportunities.”

The P&N rail corridor was built in 1911 and its owner, CSX, proposed it for abandonment in the late 1980s along with a number of other corridors in North Carolina. NCDOT purchased the P&N right-of-way and track materials, along with several other rail corridors, to preserve for future transportation purposes. The rail line has been operational and under lease to Patriot Rail since November 2010.

NCDOT and Iowa Pacific will work closely with the Gaston County Board of Commissioners and the Gaston County Economic Development Commission to build on the customer base. There are presently two customers on the rail line.

 

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