3i, Regional Rail acquires Massachusetts Central Railroad
3i-backed short line owner and operator Regional Rail has acquired the Massachusetts Central Railroad (MCER), bringing its portfolio to 18 railroads across 10 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.
MCER is a 28-mile railroad in Massachusetts that provides hauling, storage and transload services across a variety of markets, including waste, chemicals, plastics and lumber. The acquisition also includes Wildwood Reload, which provides warehousing and transloading services to industrial customers in the region, 3i officials said in a press release. "Massachusetts Central is an excellent addition to Regional Rail and reflects our broader strategy of partnering with established local operators, preserving the legacy built by entrepreneurs and prior owners, and supporting the next phase of growth," said Rob Collins, managing partner and head of North American infrastructure at 3i. Since partnering in July 2019, 3i and Regional Rail have grown from three railroads to 18. In addition to freight transportation services, Regional Rail provides crossing signal design, construction, inspection and maintenance services.