Star America Grabs Control of Obscure Railroads: Belpre, Bucyrus, and Cornhusker
Published Date: 5/16/2025
Notice
Summary
Star America Fund II GP and Star America Rail Holdco are taking control of three small railroads: Belpre Industrial Parkersburg, Bucyrus Industrial, and Cornhusker Railroad. This change means Star America will now fully manage these railroads, but it won’t affect how they connect or operate with other railroads. The deal is moving forward smoothly with no big money changes or delays expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
No statutorily required labor protections
If you work for Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad, Bucyrus Industrial Railroad, or Cornhusker Railroad, the Surface Transportation Board may not impose statutory labor protective conditions for this control transaction because it involves only Class III rail carriers (see 49 U.S.C. 11326(c) and 49 U.S.C. 11324/11325). The Board states it cannot require labor protection for transactions that involve only Class III carriers.
Operations and connections remain unchanged
Applicants state that the three railroads will not connect with each other or with any railroads in their corporate family, and the acquisition does not involve a Class I carrier. That means the deal is exempt from prior approval and, according to the notice, should not change how those railroads connect or operate. The exemption may be consummated as early as June 1, 2025.
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