Taylor-DeJongh pact will help prompt short line acquisitions, Continental Rail says

Continental Rail Corp. yesterday announced it established a strategic relationship with energy and infrastructure banking firm Taylor-DeJongh to target transportation infrastructure assets in North America.

A freight railroad holding company that specializes in the ownership and operation of regionals and short lines, Continental Rail plans to acquire Class II and III railroads. The Taylor-DeJongh pact now will enable the company to execute its business plan to reach new markets throughout North America, Continental Rail officials said in a press release.

"This strategic relationship with Taylor-DeJongh that we have been actively developing over the past 14 months has now brought us to the next important step in the execution of our strategy to expand [our] portfolio of short-line railroads and railroad rolling stock," said Continental Rail Chief Executive Officer John Marino.

Taylor-DeJongh officials are confident that Continental Rail is prepared to close several transactions in 2015.

"Robust infrastructure is the foundation of healthy growth within the rail industry, and to that end we have spared no effort over the last 12 months to build the systems, management teams and strategic relationships required for expansion in this space," said Taylor-DeJongh President Ibrahim Mardam-Bey.