By Railfan & Railroad Staff

CREST HILL, Ill. — Watco Companies, LLC  is forming a new shortline railroad in Illinois to serve a recently-purchased industrial park in Crest Hill, near Joliet. The company filed a motion with the Surface Transportation Board this month to lease 1.2 miles of Canadian National track near the facility that, once approved by the board, will be operated as the Elwood Joliet & Southern.

The expansion was stemmed by the company’s acquisition of a former Railway & Industrial Services, Inc. facility and yard. The 39-acre site will be transformed into a storage and transit yard to serve customers needing forward storage of crucial plastic, chemical, and other bulk inventory and effective access to the extensive Chicago rail network. 

“Watco is excited to provide a new service solution that will benefit both industries and consumers in the Midwest,” said Watco Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Stefan Loeb. “Construction will soon start on the yard, and we look forward to providing important storage capacity to the market soon. Watco is also very excited to earn the right to serve and create mutual value with the important customers and Wisconsin Central Ltd. (CN) on the rail line.”