FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway recognized three shortline railroads for their tremendous success and partnership over the past year with a Shortline Achievement Award at BNSF’s 15th Annual Shortline Conference on Nov. 1 in Grapevine, Texas.
The Sacramento Valley Railroad (SAV), Cimarron Valley Railroad (CVR), and Stillwater Central Railroad (SLWC) were chosen because of their ability to develop new customers and increase volume while also being good stewards in their communities. BNSF credited the relationship it has with these shortline railroads and the growth of mutual businesses as the significant components to receiving a BNSF Shortline Achievement Award.
“BNSF is proud to recognize these three shortline railroads for their entrepreneurial spirit, dedication to customer service, and commitment to partnership with BNSF,” said Dean Wise, BNSF vice president, Network Development. “We hope to continue to expand our relationship with these shortlines and offer exceptional services to our mutual customers well in the future.”
SAV, a Patriot Rail shortline, took over operation of McClellan Business Park in March 2008. Since then, they have been providing customers with lumber, petroleum, aggregate and manufactured products through consistent and reliable “customer centered” rail services. Through focused and intense marketing efforts, SAV yielded significant carload growth in challenging economic times and is currently on pace to double its traffic in 2010.
CVR, a Western Group shortline, has been successful in developing an innovative partnership with the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Port Authority of the Southwest that will provide a foundation for growth and attract new rail shippers across southwest Kansas. Under this partnership, $15 million from the State’s rail service improvement fund will be spent over the next 5 years to rehab and upgrade the CVR.
SLWC, a part of Watco Companies, helped to establish a new, innovative and highly successful transportation service at Stanley, North Dakota, and from Sapulpa, OK to Stroud, Oklahoma with BNSF providing the long-haul service in between. Through July of 2010, over 6,500 carloads have moved safely between these points. Together, BNSF and SLWC are delivering a pipeline-by-rail service that helps meet America’s energy needs and helps develop the Bakken shale, a vital domestic energy resource.
