Tyler Pipe, Blacklands Railroad Cut Ribbon on new Partnered Hub
November 2, 2023 – Representatives of Tyler Pipe, Blacklands Railroad, and the City of Henderson gathered on a chilly Monday morning to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Tyler Pipe’s new Industrial Drive location. Joe Holzbauer, plant manager of the Tyler Pipe plant in Tyler, TX, did the honors donning the giant shears and ushering in a new era for the near 100 year old company and its Blacklands Railroad partner. “Tyler Pipe has...
Blacklands Railroad Opens Transloading and Storage Terminal in Nevada
According to Progressive Railroads, a Blacklands Railroad subsidiary has opened a transloading and storage terminal at the Northern Nevada Railport and Logistics Center in Fernley, Nevada, the Northern Nevada Development Authority (NNDA) announced Wednesday, May 16, 2018. The subsidiary, Black Gold Rail Terminals: Northern Nevada, will help the short line meet its intermodal, logistics and distribution needs in a cost-effective...
Business History Month: Blacklands Railroad
Blacklands Railroad started in 1999 by Wayne Defebaugh who opened the business after the state-owned railroad running through Sulphur Springs was looking to be abandoned and needed an operator. He quickly leased the track and began his shortline railroad in the middle of the town. He owns the locomotives and provides the crews to work the railroad. “My father was retired from the railroad as a conductor out of Kansas...
Week 4: Hopkins County United Way Receives $16,346.42 In Donations, Pledges Toward Goal
Hopkins County United Way campaign workers turned in another $16,346.42 in donations and pledges, which were applied toward this year’s overall $150,000 goal to benefit 18 local non-profit agencies. Overall, that makes $70,181.69 HCUW had received as of the fourth weekly campaign workers’ report meeting this week, which put the campaign at just shy of 50% of the goal, with only 2 weeks left in the campaign. “Every...
NETC Selected As New Operator For NETEX Rail Line
Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation District Board (known as NETEX) Thursday afternoon formally approved an agreement terminating the rail group’s agreement with Blacklands Railroad. NETEX then formally approved an agreement with North East Texas Connectors LLC, to serve as operator for the rail line. Brian Lee, NETEX Board meeting Blacklands Agreement Blacklands Railroad served as rail operator for NETEX for more than 20...
Sulphur Springs City Council Awards Contract For Re-Insurance to HM Life
City Considering Take Stand In Railroad Law Suit The city of Sulphur Springs will continue to partially self-fund health insurance for city employees, the city council decided during their regular August meeting. Also discussed during a closed executive session was the city’s potential involvement in law service involving rail service. Re-insurance contract Sulphur Springs sought bid proposals for re-insurance coverage, as has...
A Hopkins County Jury Awards in Excess of $8-million in Injury Case
A Hopkins County jury returned a verdict of what will be in excess of $8-million Tuesday in the 62nd District court. The verdict is by far, the largest ever in Hopkins County history. The Plaintiff was represented by Randy Roberts and Mike Ace of The Roberts and Roberts Law Firm in Tyler and by local attorney John C. Ginn of Smith, McDowell, Ginn. The Plaintiff, Charles Knighton, a Franklin County truck driver, was unloading a feed...
United Way Off to Great Start
At the first report meeting for Hopkins County United Way Campaign Fund Drive, a total of $26,911.50 collected. United Way Executive Secretary Susan Berning called it a great start. The campaign will continue through the first week of November. Reported as 100% Club, companies meeting or exceeding the posted goal, for October 4, 2016 include: Brumley’s Uniforms The Blacklands Railroad, Inc. Professional Land Title City of Sulphur...
Hopkins County United Way Near 25% of Year’s Goal
Hopkins County United Way’s first report meeting Tuesday, October 6, 2015, had workers celebrating a big start with big donations as $39,187. was reported by Drive Chairman Price Orwosky. Orwosky said the amount is almost 25% of the $160,000 goal with five weeks remaining in the campaign. The packets have been in the hands of businesses for only two weeks. He noted $20,000 of the amount was donated by Coleen Hoover and The Book...
“Updated” City Managers Report
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell reported on street work, the Wastewater Treatment Plant and tornado warning sirens in his Manager’s Report to the City Council Tuesday night. He reported that the annual paving program was completed with Morris Drive, Russell Drive, Kendall Lane, Fuller Street, North Davis Street from the Blacklands Railroad tracks to Park Street and Hinnant Street all being paved. Maxwell added League Street,...
