Missouri Eastern takes on more trackage in the Show Me State
1/5/2022
By Jeff Stagl, Managing Editor
The Missouri Eastern Railroad (MER) now operates additional trackage in Missouri after its parent Jaguar Rail Holdings LLC consummated a deal with V&S Railway LLC in late 2021.
Through MER, Jaguar Rail acquired about 43 miles of track between Vigus and Union, Missouri, from V&S. For many years, the line had been operated by Central Midland Railway Co. — pursuant to an agreement with V&S — but MER became the route’s operator on Jan. 1, 2022.
MER also obtained overhead trackage rights to a Union Pacific Railroad-owned line between Vigus and Rock Island Junction.
The transaction does not include any provision or restriction that would limit a future interchange with a third-party connecting carrier along the line, Jaguar Rail and MER officials stated in a Surface Transportation Board filing. Shippers along the line have been notified about the new operator.
MER also will continue to operate 60 miles of track that formerly was part of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad line in Missouri. The short line mostly handles plastics and paper products, fly ash and building materials, and interchanges with each Class I (except for Canadian Pacific) as well as the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis.
In addition to MER, Jaguar Rail owns the Cimarron Valley Railroad, Lone Star and Eastern Railroad, Oregon Eastern Railroad, Southwestern Railroad, Texas and Eastern Railroad, Washington Eastern Railroad and West Memphis Base Railroad.
Based in Salt Lake City, Affiliated Railroads owns the V&S Railway. The company’s holdings include Natchez Railway Inc. in Mississippi, the V&S Railway in Colorado and V&S Railway in Kansas, which is divided into two divisions.