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Tomorrow, the Timber Rock Railroad (TIBR) will begin operating a 122-mile line between Silsbee and Somerville, Texas, it recently leased from Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

Formed in 1998 and owned by The Watco Cos., TIBR now will operate 290 track miles. In February, the short line leased a 30-mile line between Silsbee and Kirbyville, Texas, from BNSF.

"Our goal is to provide quality transportation solutions to customers in deep east Texas and the Gulf Coast," said Watco President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Webb in a prepared statement.

TIBR interchanges with BNSF in Tenaha, Kirbyville, Beaumont and Somerville, Texas, and with Kansas City Southern in Deridder, La.

"Our agreements with Watco and Timber Rock, in conjunction with BNSF's extensive network capabilities, provide the operating flexibility and local business development focus to serve the customer base in the area," said Pete Rickershauser, BNSF vice president of network development.

Watco owns nine short lines operating in 23 states.