A6

STAR BEACON

FROM PAGE ONE 

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2016M

WARREN DILLAWAY | STAR BEACON

Railroad trains form in the Ashtabula Railyard near the West Avenue overpass on Sunday afternoon.

RAILROAD: Countys economy relies on rails

then picked up by the

railroads half-dozen
customers, including
track in Ohio, employs
Pro-Gram Plastics in Ge4,200 people and has
spent $184 million
neva, the only Ashtabuon infrastructure. It
la County customer.
operates a rail yard
Everything comes in
in Conneaut and also
and is transloaded to
services the Ashtabula
their facility, Callahan
port. More than half
said. Were glad we can
the cargo it moves is
provide this service in
intermodal, according
the community.
to a statement.
The ACJs location
gives it an advantage
The railroad operates
over competitors, Callatwo primary lines
han said.
that pass through
We offer the closest
the county: the Lake
siding (to customers)
Erie District connects
than other railroads,
Cleveland and Buffalo,
he said.
New York, while the
The local railroad is
Youngstown line a
a self-contained operformer Conrail operaation. The ACJ moves
tion links Ashtabula
and Rochester, Pennsylon its own right-of-way,
vania.
maintains the equipAn estimated 58 miles
ment and pays taxes on
same, Callahan said.
ACJ has four full-time
employees, including a
signal maintainer, Callahan said.

Industry advantages
Railroads as a means
to transport material
have definite advantages, Callahan said. Com2016 Toyota
pared to trucks, trains
2017
Toyota
move freight at a lower
2016
Hyundai
2016
2016 Hyundai
2017 Toyota
Toyota
cost, he said.
Camry LE
Tucson
Sport AWD
AWD
Tucson Sport
You can save a little
Camry LE
money, Callahan said.
Business has been
2016 Toyota good, Callahan said. In
52
MPG
Prius C HB II fact, the ACJ had
HWY
$
Auto, AirMSRP
Conditioning,
Cruise, All Weather Mats. Stock #N5870
.............................................
24,419
$
MSRP .......................................... 29,110
to discontinue its
$
52
Year End Savings ................................ 4,120
MPG
Year End Savings .............................. $4,111
passenger excursions
HWY
Auto, Air Conditioning, Cruise, All Weather Mats. Stock$#N5870
24
Sale
Price:
20,299
52
$
because the railroad
34
MPG
MPG
Sale Price: 24,999
MPG
HWY
All Weather Mats. Stock #N5870
HWY
or Lease
forAlloy
36 mos.
$176Tiltmo.
with $1,999
at signingAuto, Air Conditioning,
wasCruise,
busy
enough with
HWY
34
Power Windows and
Locks,
Wheels,
Cruise.
Stock due
#N5840
MPG
freight to occupy its
HWY
19 Alloy Wheels,
Wheels, Blind
Blind Spot
Spot Detection,
Detection,Heated
HeatedFront
FrontSeats.
Seats.Stock
Stock#491
#491
Power Windows and Locks, Alloy Wheels, Tilt Cruise. Stock #N5840
line, he said.
2016 Toyota
(Customers) fluc2016
Toyota
2017 Hyundai
2016 Toyota
tuates
up and down,
2016
Toyota
Highlander
RAV4
2016
Toyota LE
Elentra SE
Callahan said. We
Highlander
Plus V6 AWDLE
always have leads were
Plus V6 AWD
pursuing.
52
Kaercher said the
Auto, AC, Mudguards, Back Up Camera. Stock #N5975
$
MSRP ....................................... 20,090
ACJ
is a good example
$
52
MSRP .............................................. 37,578
MPG
Year End Savings ........................... $4,091
of a little railroad that
$
HWY
Year
End Savings
3,829
Auto, AC,
Mudguards,
Back .................................
Up Camera. Stock #N5975
could.
52
Sale Price: $15,999
$
35
MPG
Sale
Price:
33,749
MPG
(The ACJ) does a lot
2016
Hyundai
HWY
or Lease for 36 mos. $112 mo. with $1,999 due at signing
Auto, AC, Mudguards, Back Up Camera. Stock #N5975
HWY
24
or Lease for 36 mos. $299 mo. with $2,588 due at signing
of business up there,
Accent
SE
MPG
7inch Touch Screen,
Screen, Rerview
Rerview Camera,
Camera,
Auto, Air Conditioning, Carpeted Floor Mats, Rear Defrost, Stereo
HWY
Auto, AC, Rear Bumper Protector, Rear Camera. Stock #N6059
Kaercher said. They
16in Alloy Wheels,
Wheels, Heated
Heated Mirrors.
Mirrors. Stock
Stock#N5787
#N5787
24
MPG
move 400 rail carloads
Sale price includes all rebates, in stock only. Good thru 12-31-16. May include conditional rebates, may have to
36 month lease 10,000 miles a year, 20 cents thereafter. Payments are plus tax, title and co fee ($250).
HWY
Auto,
Rear
Protector,
Rear
Camera.
#N6059
qualify for. Ask
dealer AC,
for details.
36 Bumper
mo. lease, 12,000
miles a year,
20 cents
thereafter. Stock
Payments
are plus
30tax, title
yearly.
On approved credit. Customer has option to purchase at lease end. Offer expires 1-2-17.
2016
Hyundai
and doc fee ($250).
On approved credit. Customer has option to purchase at lease end. Offer expires 1-2-17.
Railroad officials,
however,
say the big
2016
Hyundai
2016 Ford
Auto, Air Conditioning, Carpeted Floor Mats, Rear Defrost, Stereo
plus
is
the
industrys
Fusion S
positive effect on the
Auto, Air Conditioning, Carpeted Floor Mats, Rear Defrost, Stereo
environment. Trains are
much kinder to Mother
30
MPG
Earth, they said.
HWY
33
Its greener, Cal30
ASHTABULA COUNTYS BEST!!
Premium Wheels, Rear lahan
Spoiler, 2.5L said.
i4 ivct, AC.Theres
Stock #N5527
MPG
HWY
2005 Hyundai Sonata LX V6
much less pollution
2007 Chevy Cobalt LS
2009 Dodge Avenger SE
2016 Ford
than trucks. (Trains)
2016 Ford
2016 Toyota
can move 400 tons of
F150
2016 Ford Prius C HB II
freight per gallon of
Xcab XLT
fuel.
Local Trade, Automatic,
Local Trade, Auto, AC,
One Owner, Leather,
Air Conditioning.
Power Windows & Locks.
Moonroof, Alloys.
2016 Ford
Kaercher agreed.
WAS $7,988
WAS $8,988
WAS $6,988
34
28
28
(Cargo capacity)
REDUCED $5,988
REDUCED $6,988
REDUCED $4,988
26
Approved
Auto Repair
Auto, Air Conditioning, Cruise, All Weather Mats. Stock #N5870
2016
Ford
of
one railroad car
2.7 Eco Boost, Remote Start, Class IV Hitch, Rear Camera
2014 Kia Rio LX
2009 Honda Accord EXL
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD
four
trucks,
#N5822
2.0 I i4 Ecoboost Engine, 18equals
Polished Alum Wheels,
Sync 3,
Heated Seats, Stock
33
she
said.
Trains

$
MSRPStart,
.............................................
24,270
MPG
2.7
Eco Boost, Remote
Class IV Hitch, Rear Camera
HWY
reduce (exhaust) emisYear End Savings ................................. $4,871
33
sions.
Premium
Wheels, Rear Spoiler, 2.5L i4 ivct, AC. Stock #N5527
MPG
One Owner, Local Trade,
One Owner, Alloys,
One Owner, Leather,
Sale Price: $19,399
Freight rail is the
HWY
Air Conditioning.
Keyless Entry.
Moonroof, Heated Seats.
WAS $10,988
WAS $10,988
WAS $10,988
most environmental37
24
29
REDUCED $8,988
REDUCED $8,988
REDUCED $8,988
Premium Wheels, Rear Spoiler, 2.5L i4 ivct, AC. Stock #N5527
ly-friendly way to move
2016 Hyundai Elantra SE
2013 Toyota Prius Hybrid
2014 Ford Focus SE
freight over land, Lo2016
Hyundai
2016 Ford
2016 Toyota
bin said in a statement.
CSX has improved its
Auto,
Air
Conditioning,
Carpeted
Floor
Mats,
Rear
Defrost,
Stereo
2016 Ford
Hyundai
2016
fuel efficiency by 100
2016 Toyota
Local Trade, Automatic,
One Owner, Local Trade,
One Owner, Automatic,
percent since 1980, and
Keyless Entry.
Keyless Entry, Bluetooth.
Only 16k Miles.
last year the company
Auto, Air Conditioning, Carpeted Floor Mats, Rear Defrost, Stereo
WAS $14,988
WAS $15,988
WAS $11,988
38
51
36
30
REDUCED $12,988
REDUCED $13,988
REDUCED $9,988
on average moved
MPG
HWY
one ton of freight 471
MSRP .............................................. $46,800
2007 Ford F150
2013 Subaru Forrester 4x4
2007 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
Supercab 4x4
$
miles on one gallon of
Year
End
Savings
................................
11,801
26
30
Auto, Air Conditioning, Cruise, All Weather Mats. Stock #N5870
MPG
fuel.
MPG
$
HWY
HWY
Sale Price: 34,999
That emphasis on
26
Auto, Air Conditioning, Cruise, All Weather Mats. Stock #N5870
efficiency
made CSX the
MPG
2.0
I
i4
Ecoboost
Engine,
18
Polished
Alum
Wheels,
Sync
3,
Heated
Seats,
Stock
#N5822
Local Trade, SR5,
One Owner, Alloys,
Local Trade, Automatic,
HWY
Alloys, Tow Package.
Moonroof, Heated Seats.
Tow Package, V8.
only freight rail comWAS $16,988
WAS $20,588
WAS $15,988
Sale
price includes all rebates, in stock only. Good thru 12-31-16.
2016
Ford
pany to be listed in the
?
27
?
2.0
I i4 Ecoboost
Engine, 18 rebates,
Polishedmay
Alumhave
Wheels,
Sync 3,for.
Heated
Seats, Stock
#N5822
REDUCED $14,988
REDUCED $18,588
REDUCED $13,988
May
include conditional
to qualify
Ask dealer
for details.
Dow Jones Sustainability Report, Lobin said.
2.7 Eco Boost, Remote Start, Class IV Hitch, Rear Camera
2016
Ford
Through our commitment to sustainability, we minimize our
2.7 Eco Boost, Remote Start, Class IV Hitch, Rear Camera
impact on the environment, lower operating
Sale Hours:
Service Hours:
costs, and offer our
Mon. & Thurs 9 - 8; Tues, Wed, Fri 9 - 6
Mon. - Fri 7:30 - 5:30
customers an attractive
Approved
Auto
Repair
Sat. 9 - 4, Closed Sun.
Sat. 7:30 - Noon
transportation solution
to reduce their carbon
footprint, Lobin said in
a statement.
of the Lake Erie line can
be found in Ohio, while
the Youngstown line
comprises 66 miles in
the state, according to
the Rail Plan.

CSX
CSX operates 4,000
miles of line in Ohio,
employs 3,000 people,
spent $150 million on
infrastructure (as of
2015) and operates
4,000 miles of line in
Ohio.
The stretch of special
interest locally is the
Erie West subdivision
that links Erie, Pennsylvania, and Cleveland
and bisects Ashtabula
County. Almost 59
miles of that line travels
through Ohio, according to the Rail Plan.

FROM PAGE A1

CSX has seven customers in Ashtabula

County, transporting
both raw commodities
and finished products,
including paper products, chemicals, stone
and ore, according to
Gail Lobin, CSX spokesperson.
The Ashtabula region
is an important contributor to the economy
locally, regionally and
nationally, Lobin said
in a statement.

What rides the rail

Most products in
everyday life traveled
on a freight train from
food and clothing to
commodities, construction materials and vehicles. Freight railroads,
including CSX, support

economic growth and

job development while
reducing the transportation industrys
environmental impact,
experts say.
Not just goods, but
people, also ride the
rails in this region. Amtrak passenger trains
regularly use CSX and
NS tracks in Ashtabula
County.
The Bessemer and
Lake Erie Railroad links
the Pittsburgh and Conneaut Dock Company
in Conneaut and North
Bessemer, Pennsylvania,
with a primary cargo of
iron ore and coal.
The line stretches
139 miles, but only five
miles can be found in
Ohio. When Canadian
National acquired the

dock company in 2004,

the B&LE became part
of the Canadian National Railway.
More than two dozen short line railroads
operate in Ohio, including the Ashtabula
Carson and Jefferson
Railroad headquartered
in Jefferson. The ACJ
operates on six miles of
line within Ashtabula,
from a spot south of Interstate 90 to Jefferson,
said Robert Callahan,
chief operating officer.
The railroad was
created 32 years ago to
serve the former Champion Paper company in
Jefferson. Today, the
ACJ brings material
from across the country to a drop-off site,
where the goods are

Prius C HB II
Prius C HB II

MPG
HWY

RAV4
RAV4

MPG
HWY

2016 USED CAR

DEALERSHIP OF
THE YEAR!

Accent SE
Accent SE

MPG
HWY

MPG
HWY

Fusion S
Fusion S

FINAL DAYS!

F150 XCab 4x4

F150 XCab 4x4

HWY

HWY

Prius C HB II
Prius C HB II

Accent
F150
Xcab
XLT
F150
Accent
Xcab XLT

SE
SE

F150 XCab 4x4

F150 XCab 4x4

MPG
HWY