August 17, 2015
Short Line Railroad Now Owned by R. J. Corman Railroad Company, LLC
CONWAY, S.C. – R. J. Corman Railroad Company took possession of the former Carolina Southern on August 17th, but the veteran railroad company didn’t even wait for the ink to dry to get started. Rather, R. J. Corman began moving equipment into place and clearing shrubs on the overgrown line two weeks before the deal was sealed in an effort to return the sound of train whistles in the region as quickly as possible.
R. J. Corman Railroad Group President and CEO Craig King said that, while all eyes are on his company, it was local and state officials who provided unparalleled leadership and took the dramatic steps needed to change the future for North and South Carolina.
“We are grateful to the many community leaders who had the vision and determination to work together, form the interstate railroad committee and make this transition possible. We are especially grateful to Columbus and Horry Counties, which helped fund the project, and Mark Lazarus and Bill Clark who provided guidance and support in that effort,” said King. “It truly is an amazing accomplishment.”
Doug Wendel of Myrtle Beach serves as chairman of the committee and Tabor City’s Dennis Worley serves as co-chairman. They both recognized the importance of rail service for the towns they call home.
“Creating a prospering community today requires leveraging every resource possible,” said Wendel. “We have so much going for us already, with our location, our weather, our stable businesses and our people that having a vibrant railroad is going to make our economy grow exponentially.”
Worley said the three-year effort already is paying off.
“There were some who doubted we could bring this to a successful close, but Doug and I knew we would work it out because we have the backing of this whole region, along with a patient and dedicated partner in R. J. Corman,” said Worley. “We’re already hearing about new and growing businesses as a result.”
And that partner, R. J. Corman, is ready to dig in to make the railroad safe and productive.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us to bring this line up to operating standards. But, like your leaders, we also have vision and determination. In addition, we have hard working and talented crews to make that happen,” said King. “We are proud railroaders and we can’t wait to be part of North and South Carolina’s prosperous future.”
R. J. Corman expects to begin moving freight on the railway, which stretches from Mullins, South Carolina to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and connects to lines in North Carolina, within six months.
For local officials, the sound of train whistles in Columbus, Marion and Horry Counties can’t come soon enough.
“We’re ecstatic to be on track to once again have rail service for this region,” said Mark Lazarus, chairman of the Horry County Council. “In addition to being more cost effective for our industries and producers, the railroad will reduce highway congestion, making travel easier and safer for residents and the millions of people who visit the Grand Strand every year.”
Similar sentiments were shared by representatives from other participating counties.
“Our county is poised for significant economic growth with the renewal of this railroad,” said Columbus County Manager William S. “Bill” Clark. “That missing link has been costing our businesses money and making it difficult to attract new companies and grow existing ones. We’re grateful to R. J. Corman for stepping up to make our transportation system better.”
R. J. Corman’s Craig King took the opportunity for some straight talk about how the community can help. He let everyone know the company’s highest priority is always safety, and that the public’s safety can never be taken for granted.
“We are reminding everyone that it’s time to start paying attention to railroad crossings again,” said King. “We’ll be saying this over and over again, ‘When you see tracks, always think TRAIN!’ There is no contest between a train and person or a car, so we ask you to please stop, look and listen before crossing any tracks.”
In the coming months, King said residents should especially watch for large equipment working on the railroad and highrail vehicles. Highrail trucks are equipped to ride the railroad as well as drive on the street.
The company also wants the public to be aware that it is unsafe and against federal law to be on the tracks, other than moving over designated crossings as necessary. Anyone on the rails or on the railroad right of way is trespassing and in danger.
“We want only good things to come from our railroad operations,” said King. “We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with the industries we serve as well as the leaders and the residents of these great communities. Thank you for everything you have done to welcome us and everything you will do in the future to stay safe.”
R. J. Corman Railroad Company, which operates 10 other shortline railroads, is a subsidiary of R. J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC which altogether employs more than 1,600 people in 23 states. Their other companies provide a myriad of services to the Railroad Industry including industrial railcar switching, emergency response, track material distribution, track construction, signal design and construction, railroad worker training, and building eco-friendly locomotives.
For information about the company, visit www.rjcorman.com or call 859-881-2400 for general inquiries or 859-304-1332 for railroad operations. Businesses and community leaders may call 859-881-2466 for information about how the railroad can help them.
