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On Monday, Western Carolina Railway Service Corp. (WCRS) filed a motion with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to purchase 11.8 track miles between Greenville and Travelers Rest, S.C. The Greenville County Economic Development Corp. (GCEDC) previously obtained tentative STB approval to abandon the line.

WCRS officials tried to reach an agreement with GCEDC to lease the line before the STB’s negotiating deadline of Feb. 14, according to the railroad. However, GCEDC officials refused to discuss a deal until the negotiation period expired, WCRS officials said in a prepared statement.

In its motion, WCRS asked the board to set purchase terms and conditions before the negotiating period expired. The STB has 30 days to issue a decision.

“Had WCRS allowed the deadline to pass without filing its request, GCEDC would have no obligation to continue negotiations and WCRS would have effectively forfeited its interest in the proceeding,” WCRS officials said.

Formed in 2003, WCRS is a privately held company that provides freight- and transit-rail services in the Carolinas.