Railroad Renews Lease, Keeps Freight Rolling Through Appalachia
Published Date: 11/4/2026
Notice
Summary
Kanawha River Railroad (KRR) is renewing its lease with Norfolk Southern Railway to keep running freight trains on nine rail lines across West Virginia and Ohio. This update extends their current deal, letting KRR continue serving customers without big changes to operations or costs. The new lease kicks in after a 60-day notice to workers and unions, keeping the freight moving smoothly through 2026 and beyond.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Freight service continues on nine rail lines
KRR will continue to lease and operate nine rail line segments totaling 309.45 miles in West Virginia and Ohio under a Second Amendment to Lease Agreement dated August 17, 2026. This means customers and local businesses along those lines can expect KRR to keep providing common carrier freight service over the same routes.
Waiver sought for 60-day labor notice
Because KRR's current annual revenue exceeds $5 million, the rule requires a 60-day advance notice to employees and unions before the exemption can take effect. KRR has filed a petition asking the Board to waive that 60-day advance labor notice; the waiver request and the exemption's effective date will be decided in a separate Board decision (petitions for stay must be filed by November 10, 2026).
Interchange commitment stays in lease
KRR certifies that its Agreement with Norfolk Southern includes an interchange commitment for interchange with third-party carriers and that this provision from the original lease remains in effect. Shippers that depend on interchange options retain the contractual provision intended to preserve connection with other carriers.
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