Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad (WNYP) plans soon to acquire the 42-mile Corry-to-Meadville, Pa. line from Northwest Pennsylvania Rail Authority, according to a recent agreement.
WNYP would acquire the line in exchange for $1 and cancellation of $1.9 million in debt owed by the authority; the 240-mile short line, which is owned by Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad, owes the money to a company WNYP acquired last year.
WNYP also recently reached a separate agreement with Oil Creek & Titusville Lines, which has operated the Corry-to-Meadville line since 1995.
The line would enable WNYP to re-establish through freight service between Norfolk Southern Railway connections at Meadville and Hornell, Pa., helping the short line improve efficiency, boost service reliability to local industries and cut transit times.
WNYP currently is rehabilitating portions of its Corry-to-Hornell line in Pennsylvania and New York, and plans to further rehabilitate and reopen an inactive segment between Olean, Pa., and Hornell if proposed grant applications are funded.
Since early December, the line between Corry and the New York/Pennsylvania state line has been rehabilitated, permitting 40 mph train speeds.
WNYP last year obtained a $3.25 million capital budget grant in Pennsylvania, of which $500,000 has been spent, and is working with Southern Tier Extension Railroad Authority and Southern Tier West Regional Planning Board in New York to secure additional funds.
WNYP also has invested nearly $4 million of its own capital since taking over the Corry-to-Hornell line last April.
When its entire railroad is rehabilitated to 40 mph track conditions, WNYP officials believe the railroad will move freight between Meadville and Hornell in eight hours or less.
The line is the shortest and most direct route between NS' Conway Yard near Pittsburgh and New York's Southern Tier.
Source: Progressive Railroading Daily News
