JACKSONVILLE, Fla. and SALT LAKE CITY, January 4, 2021 — Patriot Rail Company LLC (Patriot), a leading U.S. operator of short line and regional freight railroads, rail services, and integrated port logistics companies, today announced it has finalized the acquisition of short line operator Salt Lake Garfield & Western Railway (SLGW) and its related entities Caballero LLC and Caballero 2 LLC, storage and transload service providers. The SLGW represents the first bolt-on acquisition by Patriot since First Sentier Investors (FSI), a leading global investor in infrastructure, acquired Patriot in October 2019.
“The SLGW has been a long-trusted railroad in the Salt Lake City area for more than 125 years. We are proud to carry that legacy forward for our customers,“ said John Fenton, CEO of Jacksonville-based Patriot. “This addition to the Patriot portfolio strengthens our ability to continue providing competitive and innovative transportation solutions in the western region of the United States.”
SLGW currently handles more than 6,000 loaded railcars annually within its 26-mile line. Its location, in the heart of Salt Lake City’s industrial corridor, is at the center of the region’s logistics. Neighboring the recently redeveloped and expanded Salt Lake International Airport, the line runs adjacent to two major interstates and connects with the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway.
The state of Utah supports several business growth initiatives including a Mega Site Program and an inland port authority and district comprising over 4,000 acres of developable land, known as the Northwest Quadrant. “It’s an exciting time for us,” stated Fenton. “With the SLGW, we look forward to working with customers, state and local leaders, and other key stakeholders to support future growth.”