Mingus Mountain Railroad Buys Arizona Track Line
Published Date: 3/14/2025
Notice
Summary
Mingus Mountain Railroad, LLC is set to buy and run about 39 miles of rail line from Clarkdale Arizona Central Railroad, L.C., including some extra track rights near Drake, Arizona. This change means Mingus Mountain will start operating as a smaller, local railroad by March 30, 2025, with expected yearly revenues under $5 million. No big money shifts or limits on working with other railroads are expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
New Local Carrier for Drake–Clarkdale Line
Mingus Mountain Railroad (MMRL) will buy and operate about 38.74 miles of rail line between Drake, Arizona (milepost 0 + 15 feet) and the Phoenix Cement Plant near Clarkdale (milepost 38 + 3940.3 feet). MMRL will also acquire about 2,985 feet of trackage rights on nearby Drake Lines and will provide common carrier service on this route.
Operator Will Be a Class III Railroad
After the transaction, MMRL expects to operate as a Class III rail carrier and certifies its projected annual revenues will not exceed $5,000,000. The notice states the transaction will not make MMRL a Class I or Class II carrier.
No Restrictions on Future Interchange
MMRL certifies that the transaction does not include any provision that would prohibit or limit future interchange with any third‑party connecting carrier. That means third‑party carriers are not contractually barred from interchanging with this line after the change in operator.
Exempt from Environmental and Historic Review
The Board states this action is categorically excluded from environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic preservation reporting under 49 CFR 1105.8(b). The exemption is effective beginning March 30, 2025.
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