Norfolk Southern (NS) will lease its Doraville rail corridor and transload terminal in Georgia to Jaguar Transport Holdings LLC (Jaguar), which is slated to operate local switching service and “make capital improvements to expand yard capacity and support future growth.”
“Located near I-285 and I-85, the Doraville rail corridor serves a cluster of industrial and logistics businesses in northeast metro Atlanta,” NS said in a March 31 announcement. (Editor’s Note: NS released a similar announcement on April 1.) “Through local switching and transload access, the corridor serves both rail-adjacent customers and regional shippers that depend on truck-to-rail connectivity.”
Under the agreement, Jaguar will provide “dedicated local service to enable faster first- and last-mile connections while integrating closely with NS’s Doraville transload facility,” according to NS. The Class I expects the move to:
- “Improve interchange fluidity.
- “Support higher-margin freight.
- “Enable new industrial and warehouse development in the corridor.”
Jaguar has also “committed to performance standards and growth covenants designed to ensure long-term value creation for both companies,” NS noted.
Headquartered in Joplin, Mo., Jaguar operates 13 short lines and multiple transload facilities across the U.S. and “has a track record of generating strong early-stage volume growth after assuming local operations,” according to NS.
The Class I said the Doraville agreement with Jaguar not only reflects its “broader short line strategy: using targeted partnerships to extend network reach, improve local service, and unlock new markets that are best served by specialized operators,” but also supports its “long-term vision for a future combined network with Union Pacific.” NS noted that Jaguar is already a short line partner of UP, “supporting eventual operational alignment and a scalable model for local-market growth across a larger national network.”
Jaguar in March 2025 entered into an agreement with UP to provide short line service in the Central Industrial District of Kansas City; the Class I leased about 12 acres of land and four miles of track to Jaguar. UP said at the time that the move allowed it to focus on “fast, reliable long-haul service from the site in central Kansas City,” while Jaguar would offer five-day-a-week short-haul services via its new short line, the Kansas City West Bottoms Railroad.
“This [NS-Jaguar] deal is completely focused on freight growth, delivering increased capacity, and providing expanded local service in the important metro Atlanta market,” said Stefan Loeb, NS Vice President of Business Development and First- and Final-Mile Markets. “We value Jaguar’s experience in short line and transload operations, as well as its proven track record of success. This opportunity continues to demonstrate that short lines and transloaders are a crucial part of Norfolk Southern’s growth strategy.”
“We’re grateful for Norfolk Southern’s trust as we assume operations in Doraville,” noted Tim Enayati, Senior Vice President of Commercial Development at Jaguar. “Jaguar is committed to delivering exceptional service to our customers and being a reliable growth partner for Norfolk Southern in Atlanta.”
“From Day One, our focus will be on safe and reliable service,” Jaguar Senior Vice President of Operations Dan Price added. “We know how vital this corridor is to these customers, and we will bring discipline, responsiveness, and the focus it takes to earn their confidence and support future growth.”
Further Reading:
- NS: Short Lines ‘Play a Crucial Role’
- NEARS: Consolidation, Weak Economic Backdrop Highlighted
- Jaguar Acquires CBRW, CWAR
- JTH Operating DTL
- New Short Line in North Carolina
- Jaguar Launches Charlotte Western
- Jaguar Launches MER
- Jaguar Adds Oklahoma Rail Park Ops
- Jaguar Transport Picks Up Five New Short Lines
