Railroad Empire Expands: New Owners for Minnesota Tracks
Published Date: 5/16/2025
Notice
Summary
3i RR and Regional Rail are teaming up to take control of Minnesota Commercial Railway, which runs about 86 miles of track near Minneapolis and St. Paul. This move adds MNNR to Regional Rail’s growing family of 13 railroads across the eastern U.S., with no immediate changes to service or costs. The deal is official as of May 2025 and aims to keep trains rolling smoothly in Minnesota.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
No Labor-Protection Conditions Can Be Imposed
Because the transaction involves only Class III rail carriers, the Surface Transportation Board states it may not impose labor protective conditions under 49 U.S.C. 11326(c). That legal rule applies to this control exemption for MNNR.
No Immediate Service or Cost Changes
If you ship freight using Minnesota Commercial Railway (MNNR) in and around Minneapolis–St. Paul (about 86 miles of track), 3i RR and Regional Rail say there will be no significant changes to rail service or to costs as a result of the control transaction. The transaction adds MNNR to Regional Rail’s family of 13 Class III railroads and may be consummated on or after June 1, 2025.
Excluded from Environmental and Historic Review
The Surface Transportation Board states the action is categorically excluded from environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic reporting requirements under 49 CFR 1105.8(b) for this control transaction involving MNNR.
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