March 30, 2016
The Carolinas Celebrate New Railroad with Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies
NICHOLASVILLE, Kentucky – Public officials and other community members joined with R. J. Corman Railroad Group representatives this week to celebrate the official opening of railroad service to the eastern regions of North and South Carolina. The festivities held in downtown Loris, South Carolina, and at the Depot in Chadbourn, North Carolina, were the culmination of unprecedented collaboration between area leaders and the private sector in addition to substantial track and bridge rehabilitation.
As a train whistle blew, R. J. Corman Railroad Group President & CEO Craig King opened the programs with a salute to the region’s leadership.
“In the beginning of American railroading, our country’s leaders saw the opportunities this new form of transportation provided. As the railroads were built and industries who needed new markets were connected with people who needed their products, our nation’s economy boomed,” said King.
“These are different times, but this region has the need to expand markets and reduce costs of products brought in. Once again, visionaries have united to improve transportation and the lives of those in this region. I am humbled that we were your choice for renewal. You made the right choice,” he added.
After recognizing many in the crowd who participated in planning committees and had other roles in making the achievement possible, King closed his comments by saying, “for your commitment and hard work, I thank you.”
- Sharing remarks during the North Carolina event were:
- Columbia County Commission Chairman Giles E. (Buddy) Byrd, who represents District Three.
- Senator Michael P. Walters, who represented Senate District 13 from 2009 – 2014.
Senator Dr. Bill Rabon, Senator in the North Carolina General Assembly for District 8. Sharing remarks during the South Carolina event were:
- Horry County Council Chairman and Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation board member Mark Lazarus.
- Senator Luke A. Rankin of South Carolina’s 33rd District
- Senator Greg Hembree of South Carolina’s 28th District
The Federal Railroad Administration has given its approval to begin operation of the 90 mile line, which is now known as the R. J. Corman Carolina Lines (RJCS). The short line railroad already has commitments to ship cars from seven key companies and expects to add customers and increase the frequency of trains as they prove their high quality service to area industries. R. J. Corman is also working closely with local officials to recruit new industry to this region.
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 1,700 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 and rehabilitation, 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.
