July 3, 2025 - TRA Newswire -

Timber Rock Railroad (TIBR), a short line railroad that operates in deep Southeast Texas, has been added to BNSF Railway's Shortline Select Program. The Class 1 railroad started the Shortline Select program in the fall of 2024 to help grow and support service to local and regional railroads.

Timber Rock, which is part of the WATCO family of small railroads in North America, will soon start a $50 million capital improvement program to add capacity to the railroad and the customers it serves. 

TIBR operates on over 50 miles of track between Kirbyville, Texas and DeRidder, Louisiana.



The railroad provides access to markets in east Texas and southwestern Louisiana. The short line interchanges with BNSF and Canadian Pacific Kansas City.

On this railroad, it primarily hauls aggregates, lumber products, plastics, and fuel. WATCO started operations on the Timber Rock Railroad in 1998.

The BNSF program enables short line railroads to reach a broader consumer base by piggybacking on the Class 1 railroad's extensive network abilities.

Another Texas short line, TNW Corporation’s Texas Northwestern Railroad (TXNW) is also part of the Shortline Select program. 

Watco is a full-service supply chain solutions company. The company provides rail, transloading, terminal and port, and logistics services. The privately owned company is headquartered in Pittsburg, Kansas and has nearly 5,000 employees. It has been recognized by Forbes and Newsweek for its outstanding culture.

Map and photo: WATCO