By Andra Bryan Stefanoni
The Kanawha River Railroad (KNWA), which runs from Ohio to West Virginia, typically moves carloads of product for the energy, aggregate, agriculture, and chemical industries. Just as the nation was celebrating Fourth of July, the railroad moved something different: Bradley fighting vehicles for the U.S. National Guard.
The vehicles, named after U.S. General Omar Bradley, were designed to transport infantry or scouts while providing cover fire to suppress enemy troops and armored vehicles.
The Guard needed to get 12 of them from Ft. Hood, Texas, to Red House, West Virginia, and a cold call in person by KNWA Commercial Manager Brigid Rich came at the perfect time.
Rich said the Norfolk Southern (NS) had moved various military vehicles and components into the Red House facility several years ago using the line that runs from Refugee, Ohio, to Maben, West Virginia. Watco began leasing the line last year and the KNWA began running operations on the 309 miles of track, so Rich took advantage of some free time to remind the Guard of the benefit of moving product by rail.
“I had a little time in my schedule at the beginning of May, so I stopped in there at Red House one day to let the Guard know we’re here, we’re KNWA, and if they ever needed anything, to let us know,” said Rich, who was accompanied by Angela Stauffer, vice president of commercial.
As a result, a few weeks later the KNWA got the contract.
The distance — 1,170 miles as the crow flies — was more efficiently covered by rail, and it kept wear and tear off of the nation’s highway system.
The 12 vehicles, loaded two per railcar, started on the BNSF, switched to the New Orleans Public Belt, and then to the NS, with the haul being completed by the KNWA.
It went smoothly the entire route.
“We were dealing with so many layers. There was an officer in charge of releasing the vehicles from Ft. Hood, someone in charge of logistics for them, a receiving officer in West Virginia, a third party that the Army uses to help offload the vehicles, and someone ensuring the track was in good condition. But it was a pretty seamless coordination, and one we were happy to play a part in,” Rich said. “And we think it’s pretty neat that they arrived on July 3, just in time for the celebration of our nation’s freedom and birthday.”
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The Kanawha River Railroad (KNWA) consists of 309 miles of track running south from Refugee, Ohio, to Maben, West Virginia. The railroad’s name is derived from the Kanawha River in West Virginia which the railroad follows south through the state.