Rail park, centralized yard on tap for Youngstown & Southeastern in 2025
12/16/2024
By Jeff Stagl, Managing Editor
Sometime next year, Youngstown & Southeastern Railroad LLC (YSRR) will gain its first ever centralized yard if a proposed rail park is completed as planned in Ohio.
YSRR owner Midwest & Bluegrass Rail LLC (MB Rail) and Lake to River Economic Development recently announced plans to establish the Lansingville Rail Park in Youngstown, Ohio. A network region of JobsOhio and the state of Ohio's private economic development corporation, Lake to River aims to create sustainable economic growth through site development, business attraction/retention and strategic infrastructure enhancement efforts.
In November, YSRR acquired a 70-acre property from a local private land ownership group in Youngstown that’s near the short line’s interchange points with CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway in Ohio. YSRR interchanges with CSX and NS in Lowellville and Youngstown, respectively.
The property is located near Interstate 680 in the Mahoning Valley. The rail park will feature a multi-track rail yard to be called Lansingville Yard in honor of a former yard that had the same name at the site.
Remaining acreage within the property might be developed as a prime industrial site offering access to both Class Is and onsite rail switching provided by YSRR, said MB Rail Vice President of Commercial Development Brendan Keener in an email. MB Rail also owns the Transkentucky Transportation Railroad and MBR Switching.
YSRR operates about 40 miles of track in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania between Youngstown and Darlington, Pennsylvania, less than 35 miles from Pittsburgh. The short line handles various commodities, including agricultural products, construction debris, forest products and plastics.
The short line acquired a 70-acre property from a local private land ownership group that is near its Ohio interchange points with CSX and NS. Midwest & Bluegrass Rail LLC YSRR’s traffic volume has increased steadily since mid-2021. Over the past two years, it became apparent the short line needed a more centralized rail yard with higher switching and storage capacity due to the physical limitations of its existing infrastructure, said Keener.
“When YSRR acquired the 70-acre property, it began discussions with Lake to River to market some of the remaining acreage not occupied by the planned rail yard for industrial development,” he said. “Lake to River will work with YSRR to market and promote the site to potential industries seeking a rail-served site in the Mahoning Valley.”
Component of city's growth equation
The rail park is vital to the city of Youngstown’s industrial growth, Lake to River officials say.
“With the acquisition of this acreage, we’ll have additional rail services to market as well as a highly competitive development site,” said Lake to River Vice President of Economic Development Sarah Boyarko.
MB Rail plans to build the five-track rail yard — which will be owned and operated by YSRR — sometime in calendar-year 2025, subject to market conditions, said Keener. The tracks will have the capacity to hold more than 200 rail cars.
The Ohio Rail Development Commission has provided a $1,457,616 grant to cover 50% of the yard’s total cost, which is estimated at slightly under $3 million, said Keener.
The yard will improve capacity, service and logistical efficiency for YSRR’s current and future customers, he said. Since the short line doesn’t have a centralized yard, it has relied on existing spurs and sidings for rail-car storage and switching operations.
The rail park and yard initially will serve YSRR’s existing freight and rail-car storage customers.
“The added acreage and track space will allow YSRR to offer more services and pursue potential additional business that it otherwise would not have had the capacity for,” said Keener.
The rail park will be a key cog for the short line for years to come, he believes.
“The Lansingville Rail Park will [long] be a cornerstone of YSRR’s growth strategy and commitment to fostering commerce and job creation in the Mahoning Valley,” said Keener.
