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Aiken Railway to operate two Norfolk Southern lines
Once the deal is approved it will be interesting to see if the uprgrades are undertaken with private capital or if the funds are acquired via grants and government “loans.”
Whether public or private funds are used may not be the main focus in this announcement. The Western Carolina Railway Service Corp., operating as the Greenville & Western Railway, took over a 12.74-mile line between Pelzer and Belton, SC that CSX was going to abandon, upgraded the rail line and has expanded the yard at Belton Jct and brought new business to the line. If they do the same for the Aiken Railway Co. it will be a winning investment.
I agree with Mr. Bates. If the upgrades can’t be made with private capital then they shouldn’t be made. If the lines can’t produce a profit, or at least break even, then there is no need for them and they should be abandoned. Just having trains running on tracks and losing money, is a losing investment.