By: The News Reporter

R.J. Corman Carolina Lines has received the CSX Short Line Business Development Award “due to the extraordinary growth that is taking place on this short line,” R.J. Corman announced in a press release.

The award is based on percentage carload growth year over year. R.J. Corman said the number of cars moved on its Carolina Lines more than doubled since 2018-2019.

The Carolina Lines, consisting of 103 miles of track, runs from Myrtle Beach, S.C. through Columbus County and ends at a CSX interchange in Mullins, S.C.

The award was to be presented at the annual CSX Short Line Conference, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, CSX Director of Business Development Gary Gambill presented awards via video. Gambill congratulated Adam Boyles of R.J. Corman for competitive wins in several markets, including pulp boards, plastics and minerals.

Short lines like the Carolina Lines deliver the “last mile” of services for rail freight, providing service, switching and handling of cars transferred to them by other carriers like CSX.

“When R. J. Corman acquired the Carolina Lines in August of 2015, it was on the verge of being classified as abandoned and had not shipped a railcar in over four years. R.J. Corman made the necessary immediate repairs and restored operations within six months,” according to the R.J. Corman press release. “The company became partners with local economic development groups in North and South Carolina to bring traffic back and revitalize business on the line.”

Thirteen new customers are using the Carolina Lines, which is projected to ship 4,500 cars in 2020. By 2022, $45,108,000 will have been invested in revitalizations and expansions, the Kentucky-based company said.

“R. J. Corman would also like to thank Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development and the Columbus County Economic Development Commission, both of which have played integral roles in facilitating economic growth in the South Carolina region,” R.J Corman said. “Finally, the company would also like to thank our customers for trusting our railroad company with their business. We are proud to offer our customers the highest quality service in the railroad industry and look forward to meeting the needs that arise into the future.”