WASHINGTON — Short line holding company Regional Rail is acquiring the Minnesota Commercial Railway, which operates 86 miles of trackage around the Twin Cities.
“The transaction will promote Regional Rail’s strategic and growth objectives, and help sustain MNNR’s efficiency, financial strength, and ability to meet the needs of shippers,” Regional Rail said in a regulatory filing today (May 2, 2025).
Minnesota Commercial is currently controlled by The Rebecca G. Gohmann Trust. The deal is expected to close on or around June 1.
The railroad serves manufacturers, warehouses, lumber and steel transloads, and grain mills. It also operates a multi-commodity transload facility.
Minnesota Commercial Railway is located in the Midway between Minneapolis and St. Paul. It interchanges with BNSF, CPKC, Union Pacific, Canadian National, and Twin Cities & Western.
Regional Rail told the Surface Transportation Board that no significant changes in MNNR’s operations are contemplated as a result of the transaction, which is exempt from board review.
Regional Rail says in the filing that it operates 13 other railroads. They are primarily in the Eastern U.S.
Effingham Railroad is a good property in their portfolio. In fact EFRR should buy out the CN line from Effingham to Newton. The Newton Power plant is closing and the Indiana RR (INDR) was bringing in the coal. CN grain pickups from Total Grain were constantly derailing and spilling onto the highway. EFRR at least would take the time to maintain it.
Illinois Western is a 2 mile line that serves a Carlyle polymer plant and a logistics warehouse with plans to connect to the BNSF junction at Smithboro with an adjacent yard for storage.
Pennsylvania-based Regional Rail continues to steadily expand its network.
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