Five-mile rail line changes ownership

The smallest railroad in Grand Island, Neb., Cornhusker Railway, has changed ownership and is now FreightCar Short Line. The five-mile line at the former Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant runs between Union Pacific tracks at Alda, Neb., and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad near Abbott, Neb., passing along the east edge of the former ammunition plant. The transaction took place along with the recent sale of DTE Rail Services, a railcar repair facility that has been the line's only customer, to FreightCar Rail Services LLC. The shortline was purchased in September from Cornhusker Railways LLC, an affiliate of DTE Rail Services, by FreightCar Short Line, created as part of the DTE-FreightCar Rail Services transaction. Randy Quaife, vice president of marketing and sales for FreightCar Rail Services, said that major landowners in the former ammunition plant are the Grand Island Economic Development Corp. and Southern Public Power District, both of which are working to bring new industries to the area. More than 15 miles of track in the ammunition plant area are also owned by FreightCar Short Line, said Quaife.