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Pinsly Railroad Company: Short Line Service Since 1938

Published: August 9, 2024

By: Adam Burns

Until the original corporate entity ceased operations in 2023, the Pinsly Railroad Company was the oldest short line operator in the nation, launched in 1938 by Samuel M. Pinsly when he purchased the small, washed out Hoosac Tunnel & Wilmington Railroad in Massachusetts and Vermont (also remembered as the "Hoot, Toot & Whistle").

The system would likely have been abandoned but his efforts to rejuvenate the line paid off. Over the years Pinsly acquired and spun-off other lines (such as the historic Frankfort & Cincinnati in Kentucky).

The company ended service in 2023 when it sold its final short line, the Pioneer Valley Railroad, to Gulf & Atlantic Railways.  In the spring of 2024 the Pinsly name was brought back by the new owners.

Florida Central GP9m #7030 (built as Canadian National GP9 #4154 in 1959) heads northbound with its freight while passing the former Atlantic Coast Line depot at Frostproof, Florida on March 13, 2015. Doug Kroll photo.

Early Years (1938-1950s)

Pinsly Railroad Company was founded in 1938 by Samuel M. Pinsly.  He had a keen interest in railroads and capitalized on opportunities to revitalize small, unprofitable, and often neglected lines.

Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1899, Pinsly was a man of formidable intellect and diverse talents. He earned degrees in both engineering and law from Northwestern University before serving briefly in the U.S. Army during World War I.

His entrepreneurial venture into railroading began with the acquisition of the Hoosac Tunnel & Wilmington Railroad in western Massachusetts from his father-in-law, H.E. Salzberg, a fellow short-line operator.

The H&TW, originally built to transport freight and passengers through the Hoosac Tunnel, was struggling financially. Under Pinsly's leadership, the HT&W saw improvements in efficiency and service, setting the stage for future acquisitions.

Pinsly continued to expand his empire, acquiring numerous short lines across New England and the Southeastern United States until his passing in 1977.

Expansion and Growth (1950s-1970s)

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Pinsly Railroad Company expanded its portfolio of short lines. His strategy was to acquire small lines that were often on the brink of abandonment and turn them into profitable enterprises through better management, improved services, and cost-cutting measures.

Some of the notable acquisitions during this period included:

- **St. Johnsbury & Lamoille County Railroad** in Vermont: Acquired in 1968, this line played a crucial role in the transportation of dairy products and other goods in the region.

- **The Montpelier & Barre Railroad** in Vermont: Acquired in 1957, this line served the granite industry, which was a significant part of the local economy.

Pinsly’s approach often involved focusing on niche markets and providing personalized service to local industries that larger railroads could not efficiently serve.

Following Samuel Pinsly’s death, leadership of the company passed to Marjorie "Maggie" Silver, who made history as one of the first women to own a railroad company in the United States. Under her guidance, Pinsly Railroad Company maintained its commitment to innovation and service.

Arkansas Midland GP8 #722 along with GP10 #414 are at North Little Rock, Arkansas on May 30, 2009. The AKMD operated several disconnected lines throughout Arkansas, with the North Little Rock Branch, acquired in 2000, being one of the smaller at about 10 miles. Doug Kroll photo.

The Florida Era (1980s-Present)

In the early 1980s, looking for new opportunities and warmer climates, Pinsly began to acquire lines in Florida. This move marked a significant shift in the company's operations, as it started focusing more on the southeastern United States.

- **Florida Central Railroad (FCEN)**: Acquired in 1986, the FCEN operates 68 miles of track, providing freight services in the Orlando area.

- **Florida Midland Railroad (FMID)**: Acquired shortly after, this line operates in central Florida, offering connections to major railroads like CSX and serving local industries.

- **Florida Northern Railroad (FNOR)**: Another addition in the Florida portfolio, FNOR operates in the northern part of the state, further solidifying Pinsly's presence in the region.

These acquisitions allowed Pinsly to tap into new markets and take advantage of the growing economic opportunities in Florida.

Holdings Throughout The Years

The railroads below represent the original Pinsly's short lines throughout the years.

• Hoosac Tunnel and Wilmington Railroad (1938-1971)
• Saratoga and Schuylerville Railroad (1945-1956)
• Sanford and Eastern Railroad (1949-1961)
• Suncook Valley Railroad (October 1952 - December 1952)
• Claremont and Concord Railroad (1954-1988)
• Montpelier and Barre Railroad (1957-1980)
• Greenville and Northern Railway (1957-1997)
• Frankfort and Cincinnati Railroad (1961-1985)
• St. Johnsbury and Lamoille County Railroad (1968-1973)
• Pioneer Valley Railroad (1982–2023) 
• Arkansas Midland Railroad (1992-2014)
• Warren and Saline River Railroad (1992-2014)
• Prescott and Northwestern Railroad (2010-2014) 
• Florida Central Railroad (1986-2019)
• Florida Midland Railroad (1987-2019)
• Florida Northern Railroad (1988-2019)

21st Century: Adaptation and Modernization

With the dawn of the 21st century, Pinsly continued to adapt to the changing landscape of the railroad industry. 

By the 2010s the company began divesting its portfolio, dropping the Arkansas Midland Railroad, Warren and Saline River Railroad, and Prescott and Northwestern Railroad in 2014.

This continued when in November, 2019 when it sold its three Florida short-lines—Florida Central Railroad, Florida Midland Railroad, and Florida Northern Railroad—to 3i RR Holdings GP, LLC and its subsidiaries, known as Regional Rail, LLC. By 2022, the company had strategically sold off its other subsidiaries to concentrate its efforts on the Pioneer Valley Railroad.

Additionally, Pinsly owned Railroad Distribution Services, a company dedicated to handling distribution and transloading. This focus on specialized services reflects the company’s enduring commitment to operational excellence and adaptability in an evolving industry landscape.

Florida Northern CF7 #50 and GP35 #207 are resting for the day at the road's main shops in Plymouth on April 18, 2002. The CF7 is former Santa Fe F7A #224L while the GP35 dates back as Norfolk & Western #207 built in 1963. Doug Kroll photo.

Pinsly Today

The currently Pinsly Railroad Company owns six railroads, operating 762 route miles of track.  However, the operation is no longer a family owned business.

The Pinsly of today began as RailUSA, founded in October 2018 by the private equity firm Equity Group Investments. The company’s first major acquisition was the Grenada Railroad from Iowa Pacific, with ambitious plans to restore and reopen the 87-mile southern portion of the line, which had been closed since 2011.

This was followed by the purchase of the Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad from CSX in 2019. In April 2022, RailUSA was acquired by Macquarie Infrastructure Partners, marking a new chapter in its growth trajectory.

By March 1, 2023, RailUSA announced a strategic relocation to Jacksonville, Florida, rebranding itself as Gulf & Atlantic Railways to better reflect its focus on expansion and new opportunities.

May 2023 saw Gulf & Atlantic Railways expand its portfolio from two to five short lines with the acquisition of the Camp Chase Railroad, Chesapeake & Indiana Railroad, and Vermilion Valley Railroad from Midwestern & Bluegrass Rail.

The company continued to grow its network in August 2023, when Macquarie Infrastructure Partners facilitated the acquisition of a sixth short-line, the Pioneer Valley Railroad, through Gulf & Atlantic Railways. This transaction also included a warehousing company, Railroad Distribution Services.

By the end of 2023, Gulf & Atlantic Railways had announced plans to acquire the Northern Indiana Railroad Company (NIRC), which managed the land assets of the Chesapeake & Indiana Railroad (CKIN).

In February 2024, they sought to merge NIRC into CKIN, further consolidating their operations. On May 1, 2024, the company embraced its heritage and rebranded as the Pinsly Railroad Company, following the acquisition of the Pioneer Valley Railroad.