Alabama & Tennessee River Railway increases train speed

The short line railroad affiliate of OmniTrax will raise the speed of trains on a 90-mile stretch of track between Birmingham and Gadsden, Ala. thanks to significant investment in track, related signals, communications systems and crossings.    Alabama & Tennessee River Railway, LLC (ATN) is increasing the speed of its trains traveling between Birmingham and Gadsden, Ala., effective immediately, the company said in a statement.
   The short line railroad affiliate of OmniTrax, Inc. said the faster trains will help shippers to move their cargo more quickly and safely as trains will clear crossings more quickly than before.
   ATN said the train speed increase was the product of significant investment in the 90-mile stretch of track, related signals, communications systems and crossings in the past year based on expected volume growth.
   The company successfully conducted test runs at the higher speeds last week after working with local government and law enforcement bodies to ensure safe operations.
   “We have a rapidly growing business with metals, cement, agriculture, paper and other commodities on the ATN and want to ensure our shipping customers that we can efficiently and safely deliver their products to market,” said Peter Touesnard, chief commercial officer of OmniTRAX. “This move, combined with additional days of service each month, will help us do just that.”