10 OmniTRAX Railroads Receive Jake Awards

“We applaud Chairman DeFazio’s release of a five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill," said Chuck Baker, President, ASLRRA.

Ten of the railroads operated by OmniTRAX, an affiliate of The Broe Group, earned safety commendations from the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) for 2019. The ASLRRA Jake Awards honor railroads that reach the goal of achieving a 0.00 Frequency/Severity Index, a measure of rail safety, for the entire year.

The OmniTRAX lines receiving 2019 Jake Awards include Alabama & Tennessee River Railway; Chicago Rail Link; Georgia Woodlands Railroad; Great Western Railway of Colorado; Illinois Railway; Nebraska, Kansas & Colorado Railway; Newburgh & South Shore Railroad; Northern Ohio & Western Railway; Panhandle Northern Railroad; and Winchester & Western Railroad Co. All of these railroads were honored “with Distinction,” recognizing their Federal Railroad Administration reportable injury-free performance in 2019.

Sergio Sabatini, President, OmniTRAX, also revealed the OmniTRAX’s annual OmniSAFE awards, which are given to the company’s railroads that report zero injuries for the prior year. A total of 16 lines received the honor for 2019, including Carlton Trail Railway Company; Chicago Rail Link; Central Texas & Colorado River Railway; Cleveland and Cuyahoga Railway; Cleveland Port Railway; Decatur Central Railroad; Georgia Woodlands Railroad; Great Western Railway of Colorado; Illinois Railway; Kettle Falls International Railway; Nebraska, Kansas & Colorado Railway; Newburgh & South Shore Railroad; Northern Ohio & Western Railway; Panhandle Northern Railroad; Sand Springs Railway; Stockton Terminal; and Eastern Railroad and Winchester & Western Railroad.

“Safety is at the forefront of our members’ operations, even more so during these turbulent times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chuck Baker, President, ASLRRA. “The short line industry is continuing to make significant strides toward zero injuries, with ASLRRA members rapidly closing the gap as measured against the entire railroad community.”

“Safety is a core value at OmniTRAX,” said Sabatini. “Our grassroots approach to our employees’ safety has brought true pride and ownership on safety at every railroad within the OmniTRAX network. We are honored to be recognized by the ASLRRA for safety. We are always focused on improving our performance and will continue to be an industry leader in safety and operating practices, while providing best-in-class service to our customers.”