One Man Gains Control Over Trio of Tiny U.S. Railroads
Published Date: 3/25/2026
Notice
Summary
Michael W. Williams asked for official permission to control three small railroads: McCloud Railway, Ozark Valley Railroad, and Washington & Idaho Railway. The Surface Transportation Board reviewed his request and said yes, giving him the green light after some earlier back-and-forth. This means Williams can now legally manage these railroads, with no new fees or delays announced.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
No Labor Protections Will Be Imposed
Because the transaction involves only Class III carriers, the Board stated it may not impose labor-protective conditions under the law. If you work for OVR, MCR, or WIR, the Board will not add labor-protection requirements as part of this control exemption.
Control Exemption Approved for Three Railroads
The Surface Transportation Board granted Michael W. Williams after-the-fact authority to control three Class III railroads: Ozark Valley Railroad (OVR), McCloud Railway Company (MCR), and Washington & Idaho Railway (WIR). The exemption becomes effective on April 19, 2026.
Washington Carrier May Consider Service Discontinuance
Williams stated that Washington & Idaho Railway (WIR) will consider options to discontinue service over its entire system. If WIR discontinues service, businesses and workers in areas served by WIR in Washington could face service loss or disruption.
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