Reading & Northern acquires coal company's rail line

The Reading & Northern Railroad has acquired the Locust Valley Line in Mahanoy Township, Pa., a 5.5-mile line that the railroad has been operating since 2006.

Reading & Northern acquired the line from the Locust Valley Coal Co.

The acquisition will enable Port Clinton, Pa.-based Reading & Northern to better pursue industrial development along the line, which is located near Interstate 81, railroad officials said yesterday in a press release.

"This acquisition continues our efforts to acquire and operate contiguous railroad lines in our service territory," said Reading & Northern Chief Executive Officer Andy Muller Jr.

"We believe through our economies of scale that we can deliver better service at lower prices to customers throughout the region," he added. "The Locust Valley purchase is part of that overall strategy."