Alabama & Tennessee River Railway, LLC (ATN), an affiliate of OmniTRAX, Inc., is increasing the speed limit on the line between Gadsden and Birmingham, Ala., effective immediately. The increase in speed is due to a significant investment in the last year on approximately 90-miles of track, related signals, communications systems and crossings. The project was in preparation for ATN's expected growth.
The railway has successfully conducted test runs at the new speed last week after working with local government and law enforcement bodies.
Peter Touesnard, OmniTRAX chief commercial officer, stated, “We have a rapidly growing business with metals, cement, agriculture, paper and other commodities on the ATN and want to ensure our shipping customers that we can efficiently and safely deliver their products to market. This move, combined with additional days of service each month, will help us do just that.”
ATN operates more than 120 miles of track extending from Birmingham, Ala., to the rail barge terminal at the Port of Guntersville, Ala.