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1/9/2026
Resourceful Rail, a rail transportation services company based in Iowa, yesterday announced it has acquired West Erie Short Line Inc. (WESL) from NIWX Corp. and returned the railroad to service.
Founded in 1995, WESL was formed by Erie Press Systems to preserve rail service on former Bessemer and Lake Erie trackage on the west side of Erie, Pennsylvania. Acquired by NIWX in 2022, WESL was dormant for over a decade.
Since the acquisition, Resourceful Rail crews have been working the past few months to return the line to service, company officials said in a press release. WESL interchanges with Norfolk Southern Railway in Erie, and has leased additional track from NS to support future growth.
In addition to freight service, WESL will provide rail-car storage and transloading services to customers in Erie County and the surrounding region.
“We’re excited to expand into northwest Pennsylvania,” said Resourceful Rail President Steve Berish. “WESL is fantastic opportunity for our team to expand our footprint, and combined with our Class I partner, Norfolk Southern, we are looking forward to supporting the region’s economic growth.”