Central Maine & Quebec launches U.S. operations

The Central Maine & Quebec Railway (CMQR) now is a week old. On May 16, Central Maine & Quebec Railway US Inc. purchased the U.S. assets of the former Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway (MMA) — which was sold through a bankruptcy proceeding — and launched operations as CMQR.

The railroad operates lines in Maine and New Hampshire. Owned by Fortress Investment Group L.L.C., CMQR expects to receive Canadian regulatory approval in the next few weeks to close on the MMA's former Canadian property, which includes lines in Quebec and New Brunswick. The lines officially would be operated by the Central Maine & Quebec Railway Canada Inc.

CMQR's management team includes Chief Executive Officer John Giles, a former CEO of RailAmerica Inc. and Florida East Coast Railway (FEC); Chief Operating Officer Ryan Ratledge, a former RailAmerica regional vice president; Chief Financial Officer Sachi Mishra, a former RailAmerica and FEC executive; Chief Administration Officer Gaynor Ryan, a former MMA VP of human resources; and Chief Commercial Officer Jay Lander, a former CSX Corp. assistant VP of chemical marketing.