Renamed Decatur Central Railroad Gets New Operators, Rehab

OmniTRAX affiliate partners with Topflight Grain Cooperative to operate, drive business to and rehabilitate the Cisco to Decatur line.

The newly renamed Decatur Central Railroad, LLC, which links Cisco and Decatur, IL, will be managed by OmniTRAX, Inc. starting in late 2016. One of the largest privately held transportation service companies in North America, OmniTRAX is entering into a joint venture to operate, drive business to and rehabilitate the line currently owned by Topflight Grain.

Decatur
(Source: Midwest Inland Port)

“The Decatur Central Railroad is a great opportunity for OmniTRAX due to strong existing commodity flows, real-estate driven expansion prospects and the potential to add new diversified business,” said Kevin Shuba, CEO of OmniTRAX. “We’re also very excited to work with the Topflight and Midwest Inland Port teams, and to be a part of the Decatur business community.”

“We see a lot of opportunity on the rail line for improved performance and expansion. OmniTRAX has had great success with their other railroads and industrial parks, and we look forward to working with them to grow the business here for years to come,” said Scott Docherty, CEO/General Manager of Topflight Grain Cooperative.

The Decatur Central Railroad will transport grain from Topflight Coop members to the plants of ADM, Tate & Lyle and other processing companies in and around Macon County. The line, which interchanges with CN just north of Decatur, is integral to the growth plans of the Midwest Inland Port. A division by the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County, the Midwest Inland Port is a multi-modal hub in Decatur that delivers domestic and international logistics flexibility through a well-positioned transportation corridor connecting the Midwest with the East, West and Gulf Coasts.

“OmniTRAX has a great track record of developing businesses that grow regional economies and create new jobs, and Topflight is a key agriculture player in Central Illinois. We look forward to working with them to help the Midwest Inland Port reach its full potential,” said EDC President Ryan McCrady.

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