Vermont Rail, Providence & Worcester jointly lease locomotive from GATX

Vermont Rail System (VRS) and Providence & Worcester Railroad Co. (PWRR) recently partnered to fulfill part of their motive-power needs.

Since both VRS and PWRR have leasing relationships with the GATX Rail Locomotive Group, they jointly leased a SD-60 locomotive from the group. The two railroads reviewed motive-power synergies collectively with GATX to determine how to better serve customers on a more cost-effective basis.

During the winter months, the locomotive will be used to help transport heavy shipments of road salt over the Green Mountain Gateway from Whitehall, N.Y., to Bellow Falls, Vt. In summer, the unit will be used to haul stone from Connecticut to Long Island, N.Y.

Despite 150 miles of geographical separation, VRS and PWRR have fostered a close business relationship for several decades, beginning with freight marketing efforts for the Green Mountain Gateway in 1995. Their affiliation since has involved finding mutual ways to benefit from efficiencies in operations, equipment, freight and excursion sales.