PA County Rails Offloaded to Wilkes-Barre Terminal Railway Company
Published Date: 10/15/2026
Notice
Summary
Wilkes-Barre Terminal Railway Company is taking over about 60 miles of rail lines from Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority and its rail subsidiary in Pennsylvania. This means WBT will now run these tracks, both active and some inactive, helping local rail service stay strong. The change is happening soon and won’t cost taxpayers extra, but it could boost local business and rail efficiency.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
WBT to operate ~59.65 miles of track
If you are a business that ships by rail in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre Terminal Railway Company (WBT) will acquire and operate approximately 59.65 miles of rail line. This takeover is scheduled to be able to be consummated on or after October 29, 2026, and is intended to ensure continued rail service to customers on the listed segments.
RBMN granted local trackage rights for immediate service
WBT will grant local trackage rights to Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Company (RBMN) so RBMN can provide immediate rail service to customers on the Line after the incumbent operator's lease expires. This arrangement is tied to a related filing (Docket No. FD 36959) and takes effect following WBT's acquisition authority.
Common-carrier obligation over out-of-service segments
WBT will acquire certain out-of-service segments (for example: West Pittston Running Track segments of 3.0 miles, 3.8 miles, and 0.2 miles; Nanticoke Industrial Track 2.6 miles; Harry E. Breaker Spur 0.4 miles; Miner's Mills Industrial Track 2.5 miles; Pettibone Branch 0.759 miles) and recognizes it will have a common carrier obligation over those out-of-service segments even though WBT states they are unlikely to be placed back into active service. That common-carrier obligation means the carrier acknowledges duties to provide service on those segments under the law.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-21034, Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Company-Trackage Rights Exemption-Wilkes-Barre Terminal Railway Company
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad (RBMN) is getting the green light to use about 42 miles of tracks owned by Wilkes-Barre Terminal Railway (WBT) in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. This means RBMN can run local trains on these tracks starting October 29, 2026, with job protections for any affected workers. No big money changes are expected, just smoother local rail service in the area.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-21034, Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Company-Trackage Rights Exemption-Wilkes-Barre Terminal Railway Company
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad (RBMN) is getting the green light to use about 42 miles of tracks owned by Wilkes-Barre Terminal Railway (WBT) in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. This means RBMN can run local trains on these tracks starting October 29, 2026, with job protections for any affected workers. No big money changes are expected, just smoother local rail service in the area.
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