Mason Railroad Acquires Bedford Park Line for Bulk Goods Transport
Published Date: 1/15/2026
Notice
Summary
Mason Railroad, Inc. is set to take over and operate a short rail line owned by L. Neill Cartage Co. in Bedford Park, Illinois, starting January 29, 2026. This line helps move bulk goods like paper and lumber by connecting with a bigger railway. The deal won’t change future rail connections and won’t bring big money changes, keeping things smooth and local.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Local Transload Service Continues
If you ship or receive bulk goods at the transload facility in Bedford Park, Illinois, service will continue under Mason Railroad, Inc., which will operate the approximately 665 feet of rail line starting January 29, 2026. The line is used to interchange boxcar loads of bulk commodities such as paper, packaging-related materials, lumber, and polystyrene with the Belt Railway Company of Chicago.
Future Interchange Rights Preserved
The transaction does not include any provision that would prohibit or limit future interchange with any third-party connecting carrier, so connections with other rail carriers remain available going forward. This preserves the ability to interchange rail traffic with other carriers.
Operator Will Be Small (Class III) Carrier
Mason Railroad, Inc. certifies that its projected annual revenues will not exceed the amount that would qualify it as a Class III rail carrier. That certification indicates the operator expects to remain a small rail carrier under the Board's classification.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11395 — 2025 Tax Information for Use in the Revenue Shortfall Allocation Method
The Surface Transportation Board is sharing the 2025 state tax rates for big railroads to help figure out fair shipping prices. These updated tax numbers affect Class I railroads and will be used to check if their rates are reasonable. If you’re involved with rail shipping, keep an eye out—these changes could impact costs starting in 2025.
2026-11139 — TNW Corporation-Continuance in Control Exemption-Northeast Texas Railway Company
TNW Corporation is keeping control of Northeast Texas Railway Company as it becomes a new Class III rail carrier, taking over a 65.59-mile rail line in Texas. This change starts June 18, 2026, and won’t cost extra or affect big railroads or workers’ job protections. It’s a smooth switch that keeps local trains running without a hitch!
2026-11156 — Northeast Texas Railway Company-Acquisition of a Line of Railroad Owned by Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation District and Change of Operators Exemption-Northeast Texas Connector, LLC
Northeast Texas Railway Company (NETX) is set to take over and run about 65.6 miles of railroad track in Texas, replacing the current operator, Northeast Texas Connector, LLC (NETC). This change will start no earlier than June 18, 2026, and won’t cost shippers more than $5 million in annual revenue. NETX promises a smooth switch with no surprises for the businesses that rely on this rail line.
2026-11041 — Galveston Railroad, L.P.-Lease and Operation Exemption-Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves
Galveston Railroad, L.P. is getting official permission to extend its lease to run trains on tracks around the Port of Galveston for up to three more years. This move keeps the trains rolling smoothly without changing how much money they make or who they serve. The new lease extension kicks in on June 17, 2026, so the railroad can keep doing its thing without missing a beat.
2026-10681 — East Ohio Valley Railway LLC-Operation Exemption-Long Ridge Railroad Company, LLC
East Ohio Valley Railway LLC (EOVR) will keep running a 12.2-mile rail line in Ohio even after Long Ridge Railroad Company, LLC (LRRR) buys it. This deal lets LRRR become a new railroad while EOVR continues operating the line under a new agreement starting June 12, 2026. No big money changes or limits on other rail connections are expected, and annual revenues will stay under $5 million.
2026-10751 — Union Pacific Corporation and Union Pacific Railroad Company-Control-Norfolk; Southern Corporation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company
Union Pacific wants to take control of Norfolk Southern and combine their rail operations, creating one big railroad team. The Surface Transportation Board is reviewing this plan but has paused the process to ask for more info by July 27, 2026. This move could shake up the rail industry and affect how goods move across the country.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-00623 — Honorata Anna Itaman, N.P.; Decision and Order
Honorata Anna Itaman, a nurse practitioner from Florida, tried to get a DEA registration but was denied because she’s excluded from Medicare and other federal health programs. She didn’t ask for a hearing, so the denial stands. This means she can’t legally handle controlled substances, affecting her work and income starting now.
Next: 2026-00625 — South Central Florida Express, Inc.-Trackage Rights Exemption-Florida East Coast Railway, LLC
South Central Florida Express (SCFE) is renewing and updating its rights to use tracks owned by Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) in Florida. These rights let SCFE run trains on specific parts of the line between Ft. Pierce and Lake Harbor, including adding new customers. SCFE missed getting official approval back in 2016 but fixed that now, so everything’s official and good to go without extra costs or delays.