NS opens bulk transfer terminal in Tennessee

Yesterday, Norfolk Southern Railway opened a new $5.9 million Thoroughbred Bulk Transfer (TBT) terminal in Knoxville, Tenn.

TBT facilities enable customers — especially those without sidings — to transfer various commodities between rail cars and trucks.

The new terminal is adjacent to Interstate 275 and a NS yard, and features 48 car spots and a certified truck scale. The facility can handle various dry and liquid bulk commodities, including flour, corn starch, corn syrup and aggregates, such as sand and cement.

"The Knoxville TBT is well positioned to reach local markets as well as extend the reach of our TBT facility network even more effectively to serve markets such as Kingsport, Loudon, and Morristown in east Tennessee, as well as western North Carolina and southwest Virginia," said Scott McGregor, NS' group vice president of paper, clay and forest products, in a press release.

NS operates a network of 31 TBT facilities in 17 states that are operated by independent contractors. The Knoxville terminal will be operated by RSI Leasing Inc.