Alabama & Tennessee River Railway boosts speed on track segment

OmniTRAX Inc. affiliate Alabama & Tennessee River Railway LLC (ATN) has increased the speed limit on its track between Gadsden and Birmingham, Ala., from 10 mph to 25 mph.

The increase came after a "significant investment" on about 90 miles of track, signals, communications systems and grade crossings during the past year to prepare for expected growth, OmniTRAX officials said in a press release.

ATN last week successfully completed test runs at the new track speed after working with the local government and law enforcement.

"We have a rapidly growing business with metals, cement, agriculture, paper and other commodities on the ATN and want to ensure our shipping customers that we can efficiently and safely deliver their products to market," said Peter Touesnard, chief commercial officer at OmniTRAX. "This move, combined with additional days of service each month, will help us do just that."