RBMN acquires Locust Valley Line

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Reading and Northern

Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad (RBMN) purchased the 5.5-mile Locust Valley Line; the acquisition became effective on June 8, 2016.

 

RBMN has been operating the line since it was returned to service in 2006. By taking on ownership, RBMN says it will be better able to pursue industrial development along this line.

The line runs from Laurel Jct. in Delano Township to near Mahanoy City in Mahanoy Township in Schuylkill County. RBMN acquired the line from the Locust Valley Coal Company.

“This acquisition continues our efforts to acquire and operate contiguous railroad lines in our service territory,” said RBMN Chief Executive Officer Andy Muller, Jr. “Our efforts to require county-owned railroads in the region to privatize and sell their assets is part of our overall strategy to bring our award-winning service to more areas in our service territory. We believe through our economies of scale that we can deliver better service at lower prices to customers throughout the region. The Locust Valley purchase is part of that overall strategy.”

RBMN is the largest privately-owned railroad company in Pennsylvania and is the only railroad to be named Regional Railroad of the Year three times by Railway Age Magazine, receiving the honor in 2002, 2011 and 2015.

RBMN serves major businesses in nine Eastern Pennsylvania counties. It handles freight to and from all points in the United States, as well as import and export traffic and transports a variety of materials including anthracite coal, plastics, wine, lumber, paper, grains, chemicals, metals and sand.

 

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