The U.S. Surface Transportation Board approved a proposal from Genesee & Wyoming’s subsidiary, Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad, to take control of local switching services around Eugene, Ore. CORP and UP first proposed the deal last year, although it faced some opposition from union officials. 

However, the railroads argued that it would result in better service. After seeking input from local rail customers (who seemed to agree that they would rather work with CORP than the Class I), the STB approved the deal on April 8. 

“The Board finds that the transaction may increase efficiency and reduce costs and that authorizing operations by CORP may result in better local service,” officials with the independent regulator stated in a press release. —Justin Franz