Cover: A Red Deer Railway (RDR) locomotive. PHOTO BY ANDREW CREIGHTON
Right: An engineering crew replaces ties on Portland & Western Railroad (PNWR) track near Woodburn, Oregon. Tie crane in the foreground and tie remover/inserter (TRIPP) in the distance. PHOTO BY ROBERT REYNOLDS
Features The terms “Genesee & Wyoming,” “G&W,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer collectively to Genesee & Wyoming Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies.
G&W colleagues,
Our 125th anniversary year was overall a good year for G&W.
In terms of safety:
● We achieved a 20% reduction in our injury-frequency rate and a 19% reduction in our injury-severity rate compared to 2023.
● Additionally, 76 of our railroads finished the year injuryfree, while 39 G&W operations were zero-and-zero (no reportable injuries and no human factor incidents) in 2024.
● However, reportable and track-caused derailments were a challenge – both up by at least 20% year-over-year –so let’s all be mindful, no matter our craft, of track conditions as we carry our safety momentum into 2025.
On the financial side:
● While our traffic was down roughly 1% versus budget for the year, we did see a slight uptick of 0.4% versus 2023. This was due in large part to reduced demand for some commodities (minerals & stone, metals, and lumber & forest products) and a few specific customer challenges that impacted their shipments.
● Revenue and EBITDA were both up 3% compared to budget and were 6% and 8% higher, respectively, compared to 2023.
● Meanwhile, our commercial pipeline, which represents potential new or expanded business for our railroads, grew steadily quarter-over-quarter, ending the fourth quarter of 2024 20% higher than the fourth quarter of 2023.
As we settle into 2025 and begin to write the next chapter in G&W’s history, let’s build off the positive momentum we generated last year to achieve our priorities for the year:
ACCELERATED GROWTH
✓ Organic revenue growth across our railroads
✓ Continued development and expansion in Western Canada
✓ Strategic growth initiatives with our Class I railroad partners
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
✓ Achieving or beating our safety targets of a 1.34 IFR and 0.86 ISR
✓ Reducing our operating expenses and improving our margins
✓ Modernization of the 45G short line tax credit
HEALTHY, HIGH-PERFORMING ORGANIZATION
✓ Reduction in frontline employee turnover rate
✓ Increase in employee engagement
✓ Linking everyone’s goals to our organizational objectives
INNOVATION
✓ Launch at least three innovation projects
✓ Fully leverage the technology investments we’ve made over the past several years
✓ Capitalize on our new organizational structure
At the end of the day, all of these priorities – growing our business; operating safer and more effectively for the benefit of our company, customers and communities; taking care of our employees; and moving G&W and the entire freight-rail industry forward – make up “ ” that has been part of our DNA for several decades. And as you think about how you can individually contribute to the success of our company going forward, you might find some inspiration in our latest video that reinforces the reputation we’ve built.
Scan here with your mobile device or tablet
Thank you for all you did in 2024, and let’s do everything we can to make 2025 a successful year.
Michael February 28, 2025
“ That area of Canada is known as the Alberta Industrial Heartland and has been a region of tremendous industrial growth for quite some time. There are so many raw materials to be brought out of the ground in Alberta, and rail is a great logistics fit for companies in this space.”
– Rick McLellan, G&W Canada
Red Deer, Alberta
Bentley, Alberta
With Red Deer Railway, G&W Plants a Flag in Western Canada
The temperatures were below freezing and the ground was blanketed with a fresh coating of snow, but the sun was shining to mark the occasion. Roughly two dozen employees, customers, rail partners and local representatives gathered in the small town of Bentley, Alberta, on Monday, December 2, to inaugurate Red Deer Railway (RDR), G&W’s eleventh Canadian railroad but its first in western Canada.
The celebration was the culmination of many months of persistence and hard work.
Eyes on Western Canada
“Naturally, with our shareholders Brookfield based in Canada, we’ve had a goal to bolster our Canadian presence for a while and specifically to expand into
western Canada,” says G&W Vice President of Corporate Commercial Marty Pohlod. “There’s a great rail market in western Canada – with lots of energy and agricultural industry based here.”
Pohlod is part of a team assembled by Rick McLellan, vice president of government affairs and business development for G&W Canada, to explore possible opportunities and locations. The team also includes Rocky Hartline, who was hired as general manager for G&W’s western Canada initiatives after more than 50 years in freight and passenger rail; Liz Cornfield, who joined G&W from the former Canadian Pacific to oversee marketing and business development for western Canada; and Robert Bond from G&W’s Corporate Development group.
Rick McLellan, G&W Canada
NICK JONES
Prime Location
“That area of Canada is known as the Alberta Industrial Heartland and has been a region of tremendous industrial growth for quite some time,” says McLellan. “There are so many raw materials to be brought out of the ground in Alberta, and rail is a great logistics fit for companies in this space.”
Pohlod agrees that the energy-rich landscape is ideal for short line railroads. “This isn’t really a unit train-type situation,” he explains. “With so much energy material, storage and rail yards are a significant need for customers, which is in the short line bailiwick even if it’s not the typical short line model.”
Opportunity Comes Knocking
The team met with many rail freight customers, brokers and the Class I railroads to thoroughly hunt for actionable opportunities to establish a G&W presence in the West. The first tangible opportunity was born in early 2023 when the company entered into an agreement regarding G&W’s Meridian & Bigbee Railroad (MNBR).
“There were three parties in that transaction – G&W, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and CSX,” says Bond, “and all three needed to receive equal value.”
In exchange for CPKC acquiring MNBR’s rail lines to create a new CPKC-CSX Class I interchange in Alabama, G&W gained, among other rights, certain properties in Canada owned by CPKC – paving the way for RDR to become a reality.
Starting from Scratch
Once G&W had land and track to establish a full-fledged rail operation, the next task was securing a customer base.
“We knew that we would be able to offer transload and storage capability, and we knew we could highlight our interchange to CPKC and the broader North American freight-rail network at Red Deer, Alberta, as a selling point,” says Hartline.
RDR established relationships with Keyera, one of the largest midstream and gas operators in Canada, and Broadbill, a Canadian company in the oil and gas industry.
“The G&W name and its reputation for safety and service, not only in eastern Canada but throughout the U.S., was also a selling point,” Cornfield adds. “Safety, service and optionality was a trifecta of sorts for these area businesses.”
Sourcing three locomotives and other equipment, as well as beginning to hire an operations team of 10, would be the next sprint.
“ With so much energy material, storage and rail yards are a significant need for customers, which is in the short line bailiwick even if it’s not the typical short line model.”
– Marty Pohlod, G&W Vice President of Corporate Commercial
Rocky Hartline General Manager, G&W Western Canada
Liz Cornfield Marketing and Business Development, G&W Western Canada
Robert Bond G&W Corporate Development
Marty Pohlod Vice President of Corporate Commercial
Keyera (Rimbey Gas)
Rimbey Gas, Homeglen, Alberta
Day One and Looking Ahead
On December 1, RDR officially launched operations, running 17 miles on CPKC’s Leduc Subdivision from Red Deer to the junction switch at Jackson, Alberta, then onto RDR’s Hoadley subdivision for 43 miles to Homeglen, Alberta. Keyera’s plant in Homeglen, referred to as the Rimbey Gas Plant, is located at the northern end of RDR. The customer receives inbound empty cars and ships outbound butane and propane to multiple markets throughout North America. Meanwhile, RDR hauls inbound diluent for Broadbill Energy (formerly Gibson Energy) to a transload site in Rimbey, where the material is offloaded for use in crude oil extraction.
At the RDR launch celebration, Jason Nixon, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, remarked: “On behalf of the Government of Alberta, I would like to extend my congratulations to all involved in the official inauguration of the Red Deer Railway. This important occasion marks the beginning of a new chapter for our community and will be critical in providing new opportunities for businesses, enhancing regional connectivity and creating jobs for local residents.”
In line with G&W’s safety commitment, RDR is injury-free through February 2025.
As for what comes next for RDR, McLellan believes the future is bright. “RDR can tailor its service package and operations plans based on the individual needs of area businesses along its 43-mile route,” he says. “Whether it’s finding the best rail-served location for a business or reaching new or additional markets with our network access, our team is excited to get to work.” n
Rimbey Gas, Homeglen, Alberta
G&W employees, customers, rail partners and local town representatives gathered in the small town of Bentley, Alberta, on December 2, 2024, to inaugurate Red Deer Railway (RDR).
Top: Red Deer Railway employees
Above left: Tom Ciuba, G&W vice president of communications; Robert Bond, assistant vice president of G&W corporate development; and Rick McLellan, vice president of government affairs and business development for G&W Canada, drop in for a selfie.
Right: Liz Cornfield, director of business development for G&W Western Canada, and Marty Pohlod, G&W vice president of corporate commercial (center), talk with a customer.
Lower-Profile Products Make a Big Difference for G&W
Among the recurring messages from CEO Michael Miller to the G&W team has been the importance of capturing every possible carload of commodities to drive growth in a highly competitive marketplace. While shipping high-volume, high-profile products, ranging from cars and grain to gas turbines and paper, is the foundation of the company’s business, hauling lower-profile products, many of them in small volumes, is undeniably important to the company as well.
Here is a look at some of those unique products:
Popcorn
Indiana & Ohio Railway (IORY) has been shipping popcorn for the Reist Popcorn Company since 2023. Founded in 1925 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Reist has been continuously managed by members of the Reist family for 100 years. Today, the company contracts with farmers from Pennsylvania to Colorado to plant as many as 10,000 acres of popcorn annually, with approximately 75% of those acres in Indiana and Ohio.
“Reist has popcorn acres under contract 15 miles from our Glen Echo, Ohio, transload site,” says Kelly Joseph, director of sales and marketing for IORY. “The farmer grows approximately 3.5 million pounds of popcorn for Reist annually, which equates to 13 to 15 railcars per year, depending on yield. Popcorn harvest is typically in October. However, we provide rail service to Reist throughout the year on an as-needed basis.
“Every customer is important to the IORY, whether they are shipping one car or 1,000 cars,” Joseph continues. “We treat Reist just as we do other customers. Our relationship with them is excellent and based on good communications. Operations is in regular contact with them to make sure their cars move in a timely manner because if popcorn sits in the cars, it can spoil from the moisture
Quick Facts
U.S. Popcorn Market in Perspective
· The U.S. popcorn market is estimated to approach $4 billion in 2025. U.S. farmers grow 14 billion quarts of popcorn annually, according to the Popcorn Board. That is 43 quarts of popcorn per person in the U.S.
· Popcorn differs from other types of corn because its kernels have thicker hulls. When popcorn is cooked, pressure builds in the hulls and eventually bursts them open, releasing a gelatinous starch that cools and gives the popcorn its distinctive shape.
· Popcorn is considered one of the healthier snacking options for consumers, as it contains a variety of nutrients without any cholesterol or fat.
Facts About Peanuts
· Peanuts are a crucial source of nutrients for consumers because they contain both oil and protein.
· Approximately 1.6 million acres of peanuts were planted in the U.S. in 2024.
· It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.
· Women and children prefer creamy peanut butter, while most men opt for chunky, according to the National Peanut Board.
Wood Utility Poles in Focus
· An estimated 150 million wood utility poles are currently in use across North America.
· The first wood utility poles were erected in the mid-19th century and used to carry telegraph wires.
· Wood utility poles can last from 40 to 60 years, depending on the local climate.
· Wood utility poles are widely used because they are cost-effective, resilient and easy to transport and install.
An Indiana & Ohio Railway (IORY) train travels through a corn field in Ohio.
Peanuts
Georgia produces approximately half of the peanuts grown in the U.S., so it is no surprise that hauling them is important to Georgia Southwestern Railroad (GSWR).
GSWR’s peanut customers are widely recognized as industry leaders. A primary function of each is shelling peanuts, which includes washing them in their shells and then mechanically separating the nuts from the shells. The nuts can then be processed for ultimate use in the marketplace. These customers are Birdsong Peanuts, which began shelling peanuts in the 1930s; Golden Peanut, which has been a mainstay of the peanut industry since 1986; and Olam International, which has been in the business of shelling peanuts in the U.S. since 2014.
“Over the past five years, GSWR has moved approximately 3,700 carloads of peanuts, peanut meal and peanut oil annually,” says Jimmy Daniel, manager of sales and marketing for GSWR and other roads in G&W’s Coastal Division. “This business is essential to GSWR, representing about 50% of the road’s annual carloads. Importantly, the peanut business provides consistency because carloads are not significantly impacted by seasonality like some other commodities.”
Georgia Southwestern Railroad (GSWR) serves Golden Peanut in Dawson, Georgia.
SHUTTERSTOCK: NOMI2626
Wood Utility Poles
Shipping wood utility poles (often called telephone poles) is important business for both Luxapalila Valley Railroad (LXVR) and Ottawa Valley Railway (OVR).
LXVR provides rail service to Koppers Utility & Industrial Products, the largest American-owned wood pole manufacturer with customers in the utilities and telecommunications industries.
“Koppers ships utility poles on LXVR regularly from Kennedy, Alabama, and Vidalia, Georgia,” says Lesley Rager, manager of sales and marketing for LXVR and other roads in G&W’s Gulf Division. “This past year, we moved just shy of 100 carloads, which was up from previous years.”
While shipping utility poles makes up less than 1% of the LXVR business, Koppers is a priority customer, according to Rager. “Each and every one of the products we move on LXVR is very important to our business, and utility poles are no exception. We are grateful for our business relationship with Koppers.”
Meanwhile, Stella-Jones, Inc., a leading North American manufacturer of specially treated wood utility poles headquartered in Montreal, Canada, is a highly valued customer of OVR. The company sells its poles to over 1,000 customers across North America annually.
“While the Stella-Jones business currently makes up only 3% of OVR’s total annual carloads, it is very important for two reasons,” says Brendan Wallage, director of sales and marketing for G&W’s Canada Division railroads. “First, our business with them has tripled from fewer than 100 carloads per year to 154 carloads in 2023 to 324 carloads in 2024. And we believe there is further upside potential in 2025.
“Second, we want to diversify OVR’s commodity mix and reduce reliance on the pulp and paper sector, which at one time represented 90% of all OVR traffic. Today, thanks to growth in carloads of wood utility poles and other products, pulp and paper represents less than 50% of OVR’s total volume.” n
Luxapalila Valley Railroad (LXVR) serves Koppers Utility & Industrial Products.
Meet the Government & Industry Affairs Team
Arielle Giordano
Years in the rail industry: 10
How did you get involved in government affairs?
My senior year of undergrad, I moved to D.C. to intern for a member of Congress, and I fell in love with the town and set a goal to permanently move there. I wound up relocating to D.C. and attending law school at the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, and working for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee as a law clerk. After graduating and passing the bar, I was hired by the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Railroads as its counsel. When the Chair of the Committee, former Rep. Bill Shuster, announced his retirement, I made the decision to leave the government and work for Canadian Pacific as their first in-house, D.C.-based government affairs representative, overseeing all of its government affairs at the federal, state and local levels. I ultimately built and led the team that successfully navigated the company through the Canadian Pacific – Kansas City Southern (CPKC) merger.
Why is government affairs so critical for G&W and the entire rail industry?
Government affairs is vital to navigating public policy, mitigating political and regulatory risks, and ensuring strategic, proactive initiatives that will benefit G&W and the entire rail industry. Strategic relationships, a key component to government affairs, are not something developed overnight; they take years of robust education, advocacy and trust to build and maintain. The relationships government affairs is responsible for maintaining are key to ensuring G&W’s success on priorities like applying for grants or advocating for or against legislation. The government affairs team collaborates with one another, other internal business units and external stakeholders to ensure that we are successful as a company and industry and continue to promote a healthy and robust freight-rail network.
Most famous politician you’ve ever been in a room with: Vice President Dick Cheney
Bucket List live music event: My absolute favorite hobby is seeing artists I love at new venues, especially when traveling. I really want to go to Red Rocks, so if I could see any of my favorite bands there, that would be my Bucket List live music event (the National, AFI, Phoebe Bridgers, My Chemical Romance, Taylor Swift – I have a fairly eclectic music taste).
Favorite national park: Denali or Acadia
Favorite state capital: Annapolis, Maryland, but my favorite state capitol building is Des Moines, Iowa.
Favorite monument in Washington, D.C.: The Bartholdi Fountain is my favorite. It was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who also created the Statue of Liberty. Bartholdi Park is situated next to the Rayburn House Office Building, the U.S. Botanic Gardens, and overlooks the U.S. Capitol. It’s relatively unknown to tourists, but it’s my top recommendation to bring your lunch and relax in between meetings, tours or museum-hopping.
Bartholdi Fountain
Joe Arbona
Years in the rail industry: 20
How did you get involved in government affairs?
With a degree in journalism and public relations, I had the opportunity straight out of college to work for a couple of large newspapers in Southern California. As a result of that experience, I was hired by a large financial institution to work in public relations, which included some government relations. After serving there for 10 years, I was recruited by Union Pacific to serve in a new hybrid position in media and government relations, eventually leading to overseeing its grants and public-private partnership efforts within the government affairs department. I was then recruited by G&W to serve in Government & Industry Affairs (GIA).
Why is government affairs so critical for G&W and the entire rail industry?
In politics, there is the saying, “If you’re not at the table, you’ll be on the menu.” The G&W Government & Industry Affairs team is at the table both at the federal and state levels to protect G&W from unfair or burdensome government action or inaction, which can keep us from successfully achieving our Core Purpose. This extends to making sure that the business playing field is kept even, particularly as our competitors in the trucking industry benefit from tax-supported infrastructure without paying their fair share. By promoting short line railroad tax credits and public-private partnerships through grant programs at the state and federal levels, GIA is helping our country rebuild its rail infrastructure while providing significant public benefits such as increased public safety, job creation and economic development.
Most famous politician you’ve ever been in a room with:
President George H.W. Bush
Bucket List live music event: Newport Jazz Festival
Favorite national park: Sequoia
Favorite state capital: Nashville
Favorite monument in Washington, D.C.:
The Lincoln Memorial
Charles Hunter
Years in the rail industry: 43
How did you get involved in government affairs?
In 2008, while working for RailAmerica as general manager of our New England Central and Connecticut Southern railroads, the company asked me to be the first employee of a new government affairs department. I had very good working relationships with states and congressional members and some grant experience, so it was a good fit and an interesting challenge to take on.
Why is government affairs so critical for G&W and the entire rail industry?
GIA defends our railroads and the industry as a whole from legislation that can be damaging to our business and customers. We work to secure federal and state grant funding that is critical to the upgrade and expansion of our railroads. And we work with federal, state and local governments to deal with issues and help educate them on the benefits of freight rail.
Most famous politician you’ve ever been in a room with:
Senator Bernie Sanders
Bucket List live music event: Jimmy Page at any venue
Favorite national park: Glacier
Favorite state capital: Austin
Favorite monument in Washington, D.C.: World War II Memorial
Austin, Texas
Meet the Government & Industry Affairs Team
We appreciate all employees who contribute to G&W’s Political Action Committee, as these funds directly help us to support or challenge initiatives that impact both the short line and overall freight-rail industry in Washington, D.C.!
Ross Lane
Years in the rail industry: 10
How did you get involved in government affairs?
Early on in my professional career, I worked on political campaigns and in my home state legislature, which eventually led to a job in government affairs. I’ve always had an interest in politics and business. In government affairs, you get to seamlessly work between the two.
Why is government affairs so critical for G&W and the entire rail industry?
The GIA team helps elected officials, their staff, and state and federal agencies understand the importance of railroads to the national economy and supply chain. We also work to pass legislation that helps G&W accomplish its important mission of moving freight safely and efficiently for our customers. Additionally, we work to identify and secure state and federal grants. These grants might be the only way a critical project happens.
Most famous politician you’ve ever been in a room with: Former President Clinton and Secretary Clinton
Bucket List live music event: My favorite musician is Jason Isbell. So really, anywhere he’s playing. However, this past summer, I took my then three-year-old daughter to see Third Eye Blind in Bend, Oregon. That was her first concert and a real highlight.
Favorite national park: Yellowstone – though the scenery outside the park is arguably more majestic, you can’t beat the access to wildlife
Favorite state capital: Austin – beautiful building, great food, awesome music
Favorite monument in Washington, D.C.: Lincoln Memorial –physically impressive, and of course, a very transformative figure in American history
Ben Strawn
Years in the rail industry: 19
How did you get involved in government affairs?
During my time with G&W, I’ve worked in several departments. I would have to work with Jerry Vest and Kim Smith on projects here and there, and ever since, I was curious about what they did on the state and federal level to help us out on the railroads. Once Kim Smith decided to retire, I was excited to apply for this position and try my hand at government affairs and was lucky enough to be selected as her replacement.
Why is government affairs so critical for G&W and the entire rail industry?
One of our largest contributions to G&W is our ability to submit and be awarded state and federal grants that help with infrastructure updates and maintenance to roads to ensure that we continue providing world-class service to our customers as well as a safe work environment for our employees.
Most famous politician you’ve ever been in a room with: President George H.W. Bush
Bucket List live music event: KISS
Favorite national park: Grand Teton
Favorite state capital: Jefferson City, Missouri
Favorite monument in Washington, D.C.: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Grand Tetons
Around G&W
CENTRAL DIVISION
PSAP PREPARES FOR MAJOR EXPANSION
Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad’s (PSAP) largest customer is a soy meal producer, and given the customer’s planned expansion, they are expected to hold onto that title for quite some time.
The soybean traffic originates with BNSF and Union Pacific at Centralia, Washington. PSAP then takes the unit trains, some as long as 110 cars, the remaining 60 miles to the Port of Grays Harbor, Washington, on the coast.
“The customer is in the middle of a huge expansion,” says General Manager Larry Sorensen, noting that they presently move 25,000 carloads a year for the customer and may soon transport more than double that amount.
To keep up with increased demand, a major capital investment was deployed to upgrade infrastructure – with more work on the way. The recently completed work included installation of 200,000 feet of continuous welded rail (CWR) and more than 100 welds. Eighteen crossings were rehabilitated, and 10 turnouts were replaced. To close out 2024, undercutting was performed and GEOWEB installed.
“We had to turn our operations upside down to facilitate the project,” says Sorensen.
To allow for work windows, daytime operations were performed at night.
“My team came together and were able to accomplish that with very little issue,” he says. “They get an A-plus for effort and communication with customers and internally. The people on the ground, Transportation, Maintenance of Way — we asked a lot of them, and they didn’t skip a beat.”
Sorensen praises Roadmaster Rob Shaw, Assistant General Manager Rollan Finch and Trainmasters Brent Babka, Chris Kellogg, Nick Tower and Evan Tschudy.
“They did superb jobs,” he says.
Slated to be installed are 16,000 ties, and two sidings will be constructed.
“They are necessary to move the volume of traffic we expect on a single main line,” says Sorensen.
Commitments from two major automakers also will drive growth, according to Sorensen. By 2026, PSAP expects to move as many as 100,000 revenue cars a year.
“To see this railroad grow makes me extremely proud,” he says. “I’ll put my team up against anybody’s.”
Automobiles being loaded and transported by Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad (PSAP) at Port of Grays Harbor, Washington.
A Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad (PSAP) crew serves a customer.
A crossing is enhanced.
CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM EFFORT HELPS BRING NEW FACILITY ONLINE FOR KYLE
A
reconfigured crush facility has started production in Caruso, Kansas, and Kyle Railroad (KYLE) is hard at work serving the plant.
Both the finished product, oil, as well as raw ingredients, canola and soy, will be transported. Moving byproducts, including cattle and poultry feed, also will be KYLE’s responsibility.
The facility, owned by Scoular since 2023, previously was a sunflower crush facility. It was retrofitted for its current purpose and started operations in November. KYLE delivered its first loads of canola a month before opening and hauled its first loads of finished product at the end of 2024.
General Manager Marv Lockman credits Sales and Marketing Manager Deb Alexander with being a key component of the team that led to the business opportunity coming to fruition.
“She helped develop competitive rates to make this facility viable,” he says. Alexander underlines that it was a collective effort. “There was a lot of operational movement and pre-work,” she says.
Alexander adds that while it helps expand and diversify KYLE’s portfolio, the plant also means more jobs for the community.
GULF DIVISION
BAYL’S WOOD RETIRES, ENJOYS FINAL RUN WITH SON
Bay Line Railroad (BAYL) recently bid farewell to Locomotive Engineer Ernest Wood. He retired after 30 years on the job in August and says it’s his proudest achievement. Wood also completed his career reportable injury-free, and he credits God, the talent that he developed throughout his career and his coworkers.
“We looked out for one another,” says Wood.
His retirement party was at the locomotive shop in Panama City, Florida. Present and former teammates from various locations turned out for their friend and presented him with a pocket watch inscribed with his years of service, 1994-2024.
“He did a great job for us,” says General Manager Jason Alquist. “He is one of those people you can rely on and is a strong leader.”
The Wood railroading legacy lives on, with his son, Locomotive Engineer Jay Wood, having been on the job for 15 years. The father-and-son duo performed Ernest’s final run together.
“Anytime you can work with your children, you enjoy it,” he says. “I’m proud of him; he’s doing well for himself.”
From left, Locomotive Engineer Ernest Wood receives a retirement gift from General Manager Jason Alquist.
Father and son locomotive engineers, Jay Wood (left) and Ernest Wood (right)
Canola facility in Caruso, Kansas
AFTER A DECADE, MASSIVE FACILITY BACK IN ACTION
Dallas, Garland & Northeastern Railroad (DGNO) will begin serving a new ORBIS facility, hauling plastic resin used in the production of reusable pallets, totes and containers.
ORBIS, a reusable packaging manufacturer, recently began operations in Greenville, Texas. Their facility, formerly operated by Rubbermaid, includes 420,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 249,000 feet of warehouse space.
Test cars were received in October, and full shipments will begin this spring. When service begins, it will end a decade of dormancy for the facility.
“It’s a huge win to fill this large building with an industry that will be adding 190 jobs to Greenville and also using rail service,” says Director of Industrial Development Alexander Stall.
He believes that the future is bright for both DGNO and this customer.
“DGNO is a growing railroad that provides the service necessary for ORBIS today and as they grow in the future,” says Stall. “This customer requires consistent service to keep their operation running. DGNO’s leadership team is responsive and supportive of new customer projects.”
ORBIS currently has a facility on G&W’s Indiana & Ohio Railway (IORY).
Around G&W
PACIFIC DIVISION
TRANSLOAD PROJECTS ON CORP EXPAND CUSTOMER ACCESS TO RAIL
Thanks to several transload opportunities, more businesses will be able to utilize Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad (CORP) and the American rail network.
Crews recently broke ground on a multiuse transload facility. Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing Jerelyn Snyder says that it will bridge a gap of more than 150 miles between facilities of its kind and expand rail access.
The facility will connect to CORP via 550 feet of track with an existing switch. It will include a covered area to store commodities, three 30-foot gates and a 785-foot fence. An office and boxcar unloading ramp also will be added.
“Direct rail access builds can be a large financial burden for companies to take on,” says Snyder. “By allowing companies to utilize CORP-served transloads, they gain access to the nationwide rail network without the large upfront capital cost. They can gain access to markets that may have been out of their reach.”
Fox Lumber Sales
A transload track completed in June already is expanding access to potential customers.
A lumber company, Fox Lumber Sales, with a non-rail-served facility sought a transload site. With CORP’s support and capital from G&W, track in Cottage Grove, Oregon, was revitalized. The result is a logistic solution for the customer, a boost to the local economy and increased rail traffic in the area.
Snyder says that “local companies without rail access can utilize this transload, and it opens the geographic markets that they can reach and may make them more competitive in the marketplace.”
Fox Lumber Sales
The new facility is on the way.
A Dallas, Garland & Northeastern Railroad (DGNO) crew serves a customer.
COASTAL DIVISION
COASTAL DIVISION LOOKS TO BUILD ON PERFECT 2024
The Coastal Division completed 2024 with zero reportable injuries across all departments and took home the Chairman’s Award for lowest injury-frequency rate in 2024.
Engineering, Mechanical and Transportation employees from all the division’s railroads returned home safely to their loved ones every workday. That continues into 2025. As of January 16, the division has surpassed 450 days without a reportable injury.
At the end of 2023, Coastal Division Vice President Gary Fillingame; General Managers Philip Sylvester, Joe Underwood and Tucker Wingerd; Assistant Vice President of Mechanical Kris Kemple; and Assistant Vice President of Engineering Rob Myer developed the Coastal Division Safety Action Plan. This plan established a more focused, ballast-level set of standards for the coming year and beyond. The tests ensure that field employees are following vital rules.
Fillingame says that the plan was designed as a safety blueprint for the ballast-level managers across the division to use with other tools at their disposal, including the Power BI software platform, to identify opportunities for improvement and to mitigate or eliminate challenges before they become a bigger problem.
“I am fortunate to have a team that is good at what they do,” he says. “It is my and the GM’s job to provide the tools and mentorship to make them even better.”
Fillingame also commends craft professionals across the departments for a willingness to say something if they see something.
“Part of continuous safety improvement is empowering everyone to speak up,” he says.
Fillingame also encouraged employees to continue sharing their ideas to further enhance safety. He encourages innovation and outsidethe-box thinking when it comes to safety.
“Safety is and will always be a continuous action,” he says.
Riceboro Southern Railway (RSOR) employees, part of the Coastal Division, celebrate 20 years without a reportable injury.
Around G&W
COASTAL DIVISION
CARLOAD GROWTH EARNS GC AN AWARD
Congratulations to Georgia Central Railway (GC) for winning the 2024 CSX Short Line Award in Jacksonville, Florida, as it was recognized for overall carload growth.
Coastal Division’s Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing Trevor Wilhelmy and Division Vice President Gary Fillingame accepted the award on behalf of the GC team.
“GC is growing at a rapid pace,” Fillingame says. “It has achieved broad-based growth across several commodity groups.”
This railroad is expected to continue its growth for years to come.
GULF DIVISION
Congratulations to the Gulf Division on winning the 2024 President’s Award for most-improved safety performance, with an 83% reduction in year-over-year IFR.
RAIL SERVICES DIVISION
RAIL SERVICES DIVISION RECEIVES TYRONE JAMES AWARD FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
The Rail Services Division was recently awarded the Tyrone James Award for the second consecutive year, achieving the lowest three-year injury-frequency rate (IFR) among G&W divisions in 2024.
“Our success has been built on a culture of everyone having a voice, a collaborative role, and the responsibility to each other to make sure we all go home safely,” says Rail Services Division Vice President Jason Bradt.
The Rail Services Division is comprised of 22 industrial switching properties, which translates to inherently more physical work being done, increasing the risk for injury potential.
Congratulations to the Rail Services Division on this remarkable achievement!
From left, Coastal Division’s Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing Trevor Wilhelmy and Vice President Gary Fillingame accept the award from a CSX representative.
GREAT LAKES DIVISION
UTICA SHALE RESURGENCE SPARKS GROWTH FOR CUOH AND MVRY
While idled sand terminals are reopening, new facilities for sand and outbound petroleum products are under development, positioning Columbus & Ohio River Rail Road (CUOH) and Mahoning Valley Railway (MVRY) for significant growth. These developments are expected to add more than 5,000 carloads in 2025, with further expansion anticipated.
“This is great news for our employees in Minerva Junction, Ohio,” says Dan Pavick, vice president of the Great Lakes Division. “Thanks to the hard work of our operations and commercial teams, this new business will make a real impact. When we acquired OHI-Rail in 2020, our goal was to make Minerva great again, and we’re achieving that.”
The Utica Shale formation, lying beneath parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania, has driven significant energy production throughout the past decade. With advanced drilling techniques, energy companies have extracted natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and oil, transforming the region into a key energy hub.
NORTHEAST DIVISION
PW AND NECR
CUOH previously benefited from Utica activity, handling inbound sand and shipments from the Utica East Ohio fractionation plant in Scio, Ohio, which alone moved more than 15,000 carloads annually. However, shifts in drilling activity toward the Ohio River caused a decline in sand traffic.
Now, a Utica rebound is underway. Energy companies such as Encino Energy, EOG Resources, Ascent Resources and Infinity Energy are reinvesting in the region, leading to new opportunities.
CUOH and MVRY have partnered with companies such as Smart Sand and Tidewater Logistics, with all parties investing in infrastructure and planning for expansion.
To support this resurgence, CUOH has upgraded its Newark, Ohio, hub yard, enhanced locomotives and expanded hiring.
“We anticipate continued growth in energy and waste markets,” says Pavick. “Our team’s commitment to working safely and efficiently will be essential as we move forward.”
PARTNER TO GROW SHERWOOD LUMBER BUSINESS
Providence and Worcester (PW) and New England Central (NECR) railroads have teamed up to support Sherwood Lumber Corporation’s expanding operations in Massachusetts. By bringing new import lumber traffic from Europe through the Port of Providence, Rhode Island, this partnership has unlocked additional opportunities for the longstanding customer.
Lumber arrives at the Port of Providence, where it is loaded onto railcars provided by PW. The railcars are then interchanged with NECR in Willimantic, Connecticut, before reaching Sherwood Lumber’s facility in Palmer, Massachusetts. With rising demand for import lumber and growing volumes from Sherwood, this arrangement highlights the efficiency and reliability of rail as a flexible, scalable logistics solution for the customer.
“Sherwood Lumber had faced challenges with trucking, and rail offered the solution they needed,” says Ed Foley, assistant vice president of sales and marketing for G&W’s Canada and Northeast divisions. “This success is a testament to the teamwork and flexibility of our railroads.”
To make this work, G&W’s Vice President of Fleet Assets Doug Driscoll located and supplied railcars for the project. Working with NECR’s Director of Sales and Marketing Jon Rudman, he also secured a local storage site for the cars until they were needed. PW now stores 30 railcars and facilitates seamless movement with NECR.
“This business required smart logistics, proof of market and strategic leasing,” says Foley. “By building a reliable system, we’ve enabled Sherwood Lumber to grow.”
Currently, the collaboration generates 60 carloads of new business monthly, with volumes expected to increase. Foley highlights NECR’s connectivity to four Class I railroads — CN, CPKC, CSX and NS — as a critical advantage for customers.
Mahoning Valley Railway (MVRY) loading sand for the Utica Shale
Sherwood Lumber’s facility in Palmer, Massachusetts
OHIO VALLEY DIVISION
IORY HOSTS JACK AND JILL OF AMERICA CLUB FOR MEMORABLE RAILROAD SAFETY EVENT
On October 26, Indiana & Ohio Railway (IORY) partnered with Operation Lifesaver and the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad to host a special event for 15 children from the Cincinnati Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. The group, made up of first to fourth graders, enjoyed an engaging day filled with hands-on learning, train rides and a visit to a pumpkin patch.
IORY Marketing Manager Cora Small says that the event was designed to combine fun with important safety lessons.
“The children were able to experience the excitement of riding a train while also learning how to stay safe around railroad tracks and crossings,” says Small.
The children participated in an educational session about railroad safety, part of Operation Lifesaver’s mission to reduce accidents and promote safe behavior around trains. To reinforce their learning, each child wrote on an index card one important thing that they learned during the session. These cards were later attached to Operation Lifesaver coloring books and donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, further extending the message of safety to the wider community.
“Parents called me the day after to share how excited their children were about the event and the lessons they learned,” says Small. “It’s rewarding to know we made an impact.”
Top: Tom Wells from the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad and Alan Stouder with Operation Lifesaver stand with members of the Cincinnati Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
Above left: A special tour. Above right: Tom Wells from the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad talks to children about railroad crossing safety.
UPPER MIDWEST DIVISION
GRANTS ENABLE GROWTH AT UPPER MIDWEST DIVISION RAILROADS
Huron and Eastern Railway (HESR) is celebrating significant milestones in 2024, thanks in part to innovative use of grant funding from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Office of Rail. These achievements highlight the value of collaboration and creative thinking in supporting rail infrastructure and economic development in the state.
HESR recently acquired 51 brand-new covered hopper cars through MDOT’s Michigan Rail Enhancement Program grant. The new hoppers, which arrived in late December, immediately entered service, replacing an aging fleet to better support the transportation of Michigan agricultural products to market.
“This is a proud accomplishment because these grants are traditionally used for track upgrades. However, we thought outside the box and secured funding for railcars instead,” says Sarah Pawlanta, assistant vice president of sales and marketing for G&W’s Upper Midwest Division. “It’s a testament to the innovative spirit of our team and partners.”
Pawlanta recognizes several individuals who contributed to the project’s success, including Assistant Vice President of Engineering Grants Chad Boutet; General Manager for Michigan and Wisconsin Operations Justin Brandt; Vice President of Fleet Assets Doug Driscoll; Upper Midwest Division Vice President Julie Eddy; and Assistant Vice President of Government Affairs Charles Hunter.
HESR also recently marked the completion of a new corn oil rail load-out project for its customer, POET. This project was made possible with a grant from MDOT’s Freight Economic Development Program, combined with contributions from POET and G&W.
The upgrades include new piping infrastructure at POET’s ethanol plant in Caro, Michigan, enabling corn oil to be transported by rail. Previously, trucks were the only mode of transport for this plant. On December 20, HESR and POET hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and luncheon at the plant to commemorate the first railcar being loaded.
“These projects demonstrate the power of collaboration and smart investment in rail infrastructure,” says Pawlanta. “We’re not only supporting our customers but also strengthening the economic future of Michigan.”
A luncheon at the Caro, Michigan, POET plant on December 20 marks the completion of the corn oil rail load-out project. From left are POET Regional Merchandising Manager Dave Peschong; G&W Upper Midwest Division Vice President Julie Eddy; POET Commodities Assistant Tyler Brink; Upper Midwest Division Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing Sarah Pawlanta; POET Merchandising Specialist Jillian Justesen; and HESR Assistant General Manager John Chesney.
One of Huron and Eastern Railway’s (HESR) new covered hoppers
Around G&W
PAN AM SOUTHERN DIVISION
BERX LOCOMOTIVE UPGRADES ENHANCE OPERATING PLAN AND GENERATE SAVINGS
To meet the demands of its operating agreement with CSX and Norfolk Southern, Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (BERX) purchased 22 locomotives from CSX and six wide-cab engines from GE over its first year of operation.
“With these upgrades, we have been able to adjust BERX’s operating plan and better manage our fleet,” says Blake Jones, vice president of G&W’s PAS Division.
In October 2024, BERX began painting these locomotives and had completed seven by year-end – five with the traditional G&W livery and BERX logo, one with the G&W heritage livery introduced for G&W’s 125th anniversary and another in the military-appreciation design.
The railroad plans to reduce its locomotive fleet by six units in 2025, thereby enabling more efficient operations and generating fuel savings.
“At BERX, we are meticulous and thorough with inspections and maintenance,” says Bryan Skroski, mechanical director for BERX, “which limits breakdowns and failures to ensure that our customers continue to get the reliable service they require and deserve.”
A Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (BERX) train crossing the Hoosic River
Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (BERX) serving an intermodal terminal in Mechanicville, New York
Address Service Requested
A transload facility along the Columbia River in Rainier, Oregon, is served by Portland & Western Railroad (PNWR).
