Member Spotlight

Rail Plays an Important Role in Regional Economy

North Shore Railroad Company’s efforts and philosophy of focusing on community service and delivering safe and dependable rail freight service to the region demonstrates that rail remains an important component of economic development.

North Shore offers regional rail freight services as well as maintenance and upkeep to rail lines, benefiting Central Pennsylvania communities. The company services a variety of local organizations handling a wide range of commodities that include coal and plastics. One railcar is equivalent to four tractor trailer trucks. Railroads move one ton of freight a distance of 500 miles on one gallon of diesel fuel.

In 1984, Richard and Miriam Robey founded North Shore Railroad and began their partnership with the Susquehanna Economic Development Association Council of Government Joint Rail Authority (SEDA-COG JRA). The partnership served their joint mission to preserve and encourage rail services within the region. The organization has expanded from a small, family-owned business into a railway transportation provider handling 30,000 carloads each year. They consist of six short line railroads which include Juniata Valley Railroad, Lycoming Valley Railroad, Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad, North Shore Railroad, Shamokin Valley Railroad, and Union County Industrial Railroad. President and CEO since 2003, Gary R. Shields and North Shore are excited to be celebrating 30 years of operation.

North Shore Railroad Company has received various awards for its service. This year the company was awarded Central Pennsylvania’s 2014 Governor’s Small Business ImPAct Award, recognizing their innovation, growth, and commitment to employees and the community. The company and its employees support many charitable efforts, and has an economic impact of more than $7 million annually.

For more information about North Shore Railroad Company, visit: http://www.nshr.com/.
The subject of each month’s Member Spotlight is selected randomly from business cards submitted at Chamber events.