(Kingsbury, IN) - Major rail service at Kingsbury Industrial Park will be possible in 2021.  4,600 linear feet of track was laid since late October to make the connection with a CSX trunk line more than a week ago, said Jim Carroll of JBC Rail. 

 

JBC Rail installed the track and will operate the switcher diverting trains in and out of the park.  Carroll said CSX will put in the switcher once a new company requiring service by the railroad makes a commitment to build at the park containing 8,000 acres.   He said the switcher could go in as soon as the second quarter of next year because of how talks are progressing with a couple of interested companies.

 

Service by a major rail carrier is expected to attract manufacturers and logistics companies.  Logistics could include agriculture because of farming being a major part of the local economy, said Matt Reardon with the LaPorte County Office of Economic & Community Development.  “The size and opportunity at Kingsbury Industrial Park lends itself to a lot of different things,” he said.

 

Eventually, the plan is to also connect the park to the Canadian National Railroad.  County Commissioner Dr. Vidya Kora says the easement for making that connection was recently obtained and service by a second major rail line would help even more to bring new

businesses there.  Officials say coming up with the funding to make that connection as soon as possible is currently being worked on.