(The following story by Robert Lee Long appeared on the Desoto Times-Tribune website on June 3, 2009.)
HERNANDO, Miss. — The impending transfer of the Canadian National Railroad to two smaller companies continues to be of concern to local officials worried about the economic impact to the region if those lines are abandoned.
Canadian National Railway informed members of the Mississippi State Legislature recently of plans to sell the Grenada Line — which runs 175 miles from the Tennessee border through DeSoto County to Canton — and the Natchez Line — which runs from Natchez to Brookhaven — to two smaller companies, Grenada Railway, LLC, and Natchez Railway, LLC. Both companies are subsidiaries of V&S Railway, a short-line rail operator, and A&K Railroad Materials, a railroad salvage company.
Representatives of several North Mississippi governments and other interested parties met at Enid last week to discuss the situation.
State legislators Tommy Reynolds and Warner McBride, as well as representatives from U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker and U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, were also at the meeting.
The group discussed the impact that the sale could have on the future of commerce and economic development in the region.
The agreement between Canadian National and the two companies stipulates that the line must stay in operation for at least two years after the sale. Many officials have voiced concern that after that period, the line will be sold for scrap metal — especially since one of the companies involved deals in railway salvage.
Officials from the Mississippi Development Authority were also at the meeting, and expressed their desire for the continued operation of the railroad.
A railroad coalition is also being organized, which will be empowered to act for the affected area. DeSoto County Supervisors have tapped DeSoto County Administrator Michael Garriga as its representative.
The group will first determine the economic impact of the rail line on each community, and the area as a whole.
Canadian National has said that they do not intend to cease operations in this state.
Local leaders will be updated on this developing situation at their regular monthly meetings this week.
Larry Jarrett, DeSoto County Greenways coordinator, said Wednesday he has been personally assured that the rail lines will stay operating as rail transportation.
“I have been assured by the company owners that the rail lines will stay open for many years to come,” Jarrett said. “Their plans are to keep it open for active rail lines. It’s vital to our industry to keep these rail lines open.”
Although it does not appear likely that the lines will be abandoned, alternative plans about what to do with any abandoned rail lines are being openly discussed.
Jarrett has an alternative plan that might transform any abandoned railroad lines into recreational trails as part of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy which reclaims abandoned rail lines and turns them into walking and bike trails.
So far in this nation, there are 1,534 open trails for a total of 15,346 miles of trails. There are a total of 789 Rails-to-Trails projects for a total of 9,501 miles.
In Mississippi, six of 11 trails have been completed incorporating 58 miles with more than 150 miles planned in the future, according to the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy.
Even if all or a portion of the rail lines were abandoned, Jarrett said the railroad owners could apply for what is known as rail banking which would keep the rail lines designated as an active railroad.
Part of the rails could be developed for trails under that designation but could be put back into immediate use as a railroad with basically short notice. Rail banking would allow the bridges and other infrastructure to remain in place, Jarrett said but allow use for trails.
“Federal funding could then be made available for bike and hiking trails,” Jarrett said. “It could be opened up for future industrial development as needed.”