August 8, 2024 - TRA Newswire -

Texas Central Railroad is the one that doesn't make the big headlines in the news media.

It's not the high-speed folks intent on building a bullet train line from Dallas to Houston (Texas Central Railway), it's the branch line freight-side railroad you probably never heard of until now.

Fort Worth based Tarantula Corporation announced that instead of being the lessee of the 26 mile line that runs from Gorman and DeLeon to Dublin, Texas, it has now acquired the railroad and brings the line under Fort Worth and Western Railroad ownership.  

The transition was finalized with TEXC stock transferred from Birdsong Corporation after two years of strategic planning and negotiation, according to FWWR. "This milestone achievement was made possible by the dedicated efforts of Director of Contracts Bill Wood, Legal Counsel Robert Ginsburg, and the work done by Kevin Sheys of Rail Regulatory Law in securing STB exemption", according to a Linkedin post. 

According to FWWR, the acquisition enables FWWR to make substantial investments in the railroad’s maintenance and infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency and service capabilities for existing customers. The improved system infrastructure will also support the development of numerous rail-served and developable sites along the rail line, offering  opportunities for future customers. Ownership allows FWWR to undertake previously unfeasible upgrades, providing long-term benefits for both FWWR and its partners.

“We would like to thank the Birdsong Corporation for its support and responsiveness throughout the negotiation. FWWR is excited about the expansion and improvement opportunities this acquisition offers. Acquiring the Texas Central Railroad supports the region’s long-term growth and business development while aligning with FWWR’s vision for the future,” said Kevin Erasmus, President & CEO of Davoil, Inc. and Fort Worth & Western Railroad Company.

Since December 11, 1998, Fort Worth & Western Railroad Company (FWWR) has leased and operated the Texas Central Railroad. With this acquisition, FWWR will transition from lessee to ownership.

Railroad construction in Texas was halted by the Civil War and the economic downturn of the early 1870s but resumed in the late 1870s and early 1880s. During this period, the Texas Central Railroad was founded in 1879. In its early days, the railroad played a crucial role in connecting key communities throughout the burgeoning region of West Central Texas. It became a vital component of local economies, leading to the founding of towns like De Leon in April 1881, and quickly became a major shipping route for agricultural products such as cotton and peanuts. Today, the railroad spans over 26 miles, providing an essential link to the FWWR main line in the city of Dublin. Overall, the TEXC connects FWWR to the three counties it crosses, serving the towns of Dublin, De Leon, and Gorman.


Photo credit: FWWR