Possible Fate Of The Patabsco & Back Rivwer Railroad

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I am wondring what the possible fate of the P&BR will be now that RG Steel has
shut downSparrows Point and is out of business. There ar a number of other industries served by the
P&BR at Sparrows Point.

  1. It could be made an independent shortline
  2. It could be sold to another railroad

I do not think that the STB will allow it to be abandoned since it is the only railroad on Sparrows Point. It connects to both CSX adn Norfolk Southern railroads.

2

If there is enough non-steel related business on the area the P&BR serves I would think it would be a possible acquisition for the Canton RR. I doubt the either NS or CSX wants to get involved in more industrial switching - they are looking for unit train volume business - not single car railroading.

3

The fate of the Patapsco & Back Rivers Railroad will be as it has always been…to be misspelled by fans and historians alike.

I’ve seen some of PBR’s newest gondolas (series 400-449) being operated by second- or thirdhand users.

4

A article in the Baltimore Sun today about RG Steel thinking they may have a purchaser for Sparrow Point. Whether it is real or just wishful thinking will be played out in the fullness of time.