Regional Rail expands into Canada with freight-rail acquisitions

3i Group-backed short-line operator Regional Rail LLC last week acquired a portfolio of freight-rail assets in western Canada from G3 Canada.

Regional Rail acquired the Great Sandhills Railway, which operates on 123 track miles in Saskatchewan and Alberta, and interests in three other undisclosed freight-rail assets, Regional Rail officials said in a press release.

Through the new purchases, the company will serve industrial customers across agricultural and energy markets.

"The Great Sandhills Railway and other freight companies are a great addition to Regional Rail," said Rob Collins, managing partner and head of North American infrastructure at 3i. "We are excited to expand into the Canadian market, where see significant industrial growth opportunities across the railroads."

Regional Rail has doubled in size since July 2019 after it was bought by 3i, a private equity and venture capital firm based in London. The short-line operator has acquired 10 freight railroads across North America, providing freight transportation, rail-car storage, transloading and design, construction, inspection and maintenance services.