Greenville & Western opens heavy machinery distribution facility

Greenville & Western Railway Co. L.L.C. (GRLW) recently opened the Big Creek Machinery Distribution Hub in Williamston, S.C.

Through a partnership with CSX Transportation, BNSF Railway Co. and BNSF Logistics L.L.C., the facility offers a customizable turnkey solution for heavy machinery manufacturers and dealers seeking to move their equipment door to door from origins in the southeastern United States to destinations anywhere along the North American rail network, GRLW officials said in a press release.

The hub features more than three acres of on-site storage/staging areas for both finished machinery and large components, such as buckets and beds, and other optional machinery implements and accessories.

"We are excited to offer the heavy machinery market a rail transportation solution that can provide 25 percent to 30 percent cost savings over truck," said GRLW President and Chief Executive Officer Steven Hawkins. "We look forward to working with our marketing partners to grow the business and expand the scope of services offered as we develop the site."

Owned by Western Carolina Railway Service Corp., GRLW operates 12.7 miles of track in Anderson County, S.C. The short line interchanges with CSX and has interchange access to Norfolk Southern Railway.