September 21, 2025 - TRA Newswire -

Big Spring Rail Systems, which maintains and operates 8 miles of rail line in West Texas has been sold to a national supplier of oilfield chemicals, Isomeric Industries. Terms of the sale were not announced.

The line, which is owned of the City of Big Spring, has a spur which connects the Big Springs McMahon-Wrinkle Airport to the Union Pacific mainline. Big Spring Rail Systems operations, currently headquartered in Pennsylvania, will be relocated to the city of Big Spring.

Isomeric supplies oilfield, mining, and industrial preservation chemicals across the country. The company is planning a 500-acre industrial site adjacent to the airport. 

Yourbasin.com quoted Big Spring Airport Director Mike Feeley, who said the project could be transformative for the city. “This acquisition marks a turning point for the economic future of Big Spring,” Feeley said. David Lee, who led Big Spring Rail Systems for more than a decade, said he is optimistic about the transition. “After more than 13 years of operating Big Spring Rail, I am pleased to pass the company on to Isomeric Industries and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on the community,” Lee said.

The president of Isomeric, Chris Harken, said the purchase is a strategic move to reduce raw material costs for the company and help support a long-term growth strategy. Harken said a new subsidiary, Isomeric Development Corporation, will be charged to attract domestic and international business that needs rail access.

The city of Big Spring has been interested in expanding industrial development for several years.  In October 2022, the city of Big Spring joined and passed a Texas Rail Advocates initiated resolution that petitioned the State Legislature to address Texas’ transportation infrastructure needs through a FAIR-SHARE-FOR-RAIL kickstart appropriation for the Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund. 

Although lawmakers in 2023 did not react to funding resolutions from Big Spring and several dozen other cities and regional governmental agencies, the 2025 legislature did pass the Short Line Railroad Grant Program. This new program will allow the city to apply for cost-sharing grants in the future to help bring new businesses and industries to the rail park. 

Photo credit: City of Big Spring