TNW, United Rail land short-line deals

The Perry County Port Authority (PCPA) has selected TNW Corp. to operate and provide common carrier service over rail lines currently owned and operated by the PCPA as the Hoosier Southern Railroad (HOS).

The parties plan to finalize the transaction in the second quarter pending the Surface Transportation Board's authorization.

PCPA owns about 22 miles of track in southern Indiana that extends from Cannelton through Perry to Lincoln City, and connects with a Norfolk Southern Railway line.

TNW Corp. subsidiary TNW Logistic Services LLC has provided marketing and development services for HOS — through a partnership with PCPA — since April 2017.

“The Hoosier Southern is a great example of the economic vitality that short line railroads bring to rural America,” said TNW Corp. Chief Executive Officer Paul Treangen in a press release. “We will provide outstanding customer service and partner with Perry and Spencer counties to further develop the corridor.”

TNW Corp. operates three short lines and two transload facilities in Texas, and owns a rail-car storage facility.

Meanwhile, United Rail Inc. has acquired the X Wine Railroad excursion service from Las Vegas Xpress Inc. for $500,000.

The X Wine Railroad provides excursion service in restored rail cars between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara and Los Olivos, California, which are home to about 200 wineries. Launched in January 2017, the service includes luxury train tickets, a breakfast and dinner service, and onboard wine tasting.

The X Wine Railroad primarily is marketed to group planners, corporations and special parties.

"The wine/rail industry is a budding market in the rail excursion business. Our service is quite unique — a private tour of wineries and wine products for the true wine aficionado," said Dianne David, president of United Rail's passenger-rail subsidiary, in a press release.

United Rail owns short lines and passenger-rail excursions, and plans to develop rail infrastructure projects and terminal operations. The company recently acquired the New England Southern Railway, and last year purchased short-line operator U S Rail Holdings and X Rail.