Watco's Cicero Central Railroad to begin Illinois operations

Watco Transportation Services LLC has announced an agreement with CN and Koppers Inc. to begin operating the newly formed Cicero Central Railroad LLC in Illinois.

Cicero Central will provide freight service to the Koppers location in Stickney, Ill., via a track lease agreement with CN, Watco announced in a press release. Service will include switching, spotting of cars, minor rail-car repair and track inspection for Koppers.

A filing has been submitted to the Surface Transportation Board, and it is expected operations will get underway after the required 30-day waiting period has expired, Watco officials said.

Koppers is a long-term "partner and customer" of Watco, according to Watco Chief Commercial Officer Ed McKechnie.

"Providing the first-mile/last-mile service is a key part of our service to our Customers and we are looking forwarding to working with CN and Koppers in Chicago," McKechnie said.