OmniTRAX to acquire California short line via joint venture

OmniTRAX has entered into a joint venture partnership with Coast Belle Rail Corp. for the acquisition of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad in California. 

The acquisition would mark the 29th rail operation in OmniTRAX's national rail network and its second railroad in California. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed in an OmniTRAX press release.

Located between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the short line connects Central Coast Valley commercial and agricultural customers to coastal ports and the North American freight-rail network, OmniTRAX officials said.

Acquiring a railroad through a joint venture also is a first for OmniTRAX. Coast Belle Rail has been the 114-year-old Santa Maria Valley Railroad's local operator since 2006. 

The Santa Maria's system consists of 14.7 miles of mainline track, which interchanges with a Union Pacific Railroad line in Guadalupe, California. Numerous sidings and spurs along the line support future growth capacity, OmniTRAX officials said.

For freight customers without direct rail access, transload facilities are available at the Osburn Rail Yard in Santa Maria, California.

“The Santa Maria Railroad has been vital to the valley for decades and this new partnership adds the resources, relationships and real estate development capacities to ensure that this century old railroad continues to serve Californians for generations to come,” said Santa Maria Valley Railroad President Rob Himoto.