August 3, 2022: Watco’s newest short line, the 63-mile Texas Coastal Bend Railroad serving the
Port of Corpus Christi, unveiled two locomotives emblazoned with the Port logo on Aug. 2.
(Photograph Courtesy of Watco)
CORPUS CHRISTI TERMINAL RAILROAD
The Corpus Christi Terminal Railroad (reporting mark CCPN) was a terminal railroad originally created in 1924 to facilitate heavy bulk freight cargo traffic flow from the recently completed deep water port channel of the new Corpus Christi Port. Wishing to maximize freight handling potential while holding down rates, the Port Authority decided to allow traffic to all of its docks and facilities by no less than three competing railroads, the Southern Pacific Railroad, the Missouri Pacific Railroad and the Texas-Mexican Railway. To accomplish this the Port of Corpus Christi Authority built its own trackage along the channel and to the docks, and allowed all three carriers access to it. While the Authority's scheme at first heightened tensions among the three railroads, they eventually began to cooperate, assuring a good flow of bulk freight and the eventual success of the Port facilities.
On August 3, 1997, Rail Link, a wholly owned subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming, leased the lines and took over day-to-day operation of the railroad, though the 26 miles (42 km) of physical trackage is still owned by the Port of Corpus Christi Authority. As of 2007 railroad connections existed with the Union Pacific, BNSF and the Texas Mexican Railway (now CPKC).
The Port of Corpus Christi
In December of 2023, Forbes called the Port of Corpus Christi the fastest-growing port in the nation and referred to the port as an 'energy-exporting' powerhouse.
Until the 19th century, when several other ports eventually overshadowed it, the Port of Boston was the busiest maritime port in the country (and the initial colonies). Nowadays (June 2024), the ports in Houston, South Louisiana, and Corpus Christi are the most prominent cargo ports in the U.S. The ports in New York, Los Angeles, and Long Beach are, on the other hand, among the largest container ports in the country.
Motive power
| Road No. | Builder | Model | Orig. Built as | Bld Date | Built For | Rebuilt For | Rebuilt Date | Color Scheme / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 339 | EMD | SW1500 | 3/1972 | Penn Central | Conrail | GWI | ||
| 457 | EMD | CF7 | F7A | Santa Fe | CCTR | |||
| 475 | EMD | CF7 | F7As 263L | 8/1951 | Santa Fe | 10/1976 | CCTR - Nose Logo | |
| 547 | EMD | CF7 | F7As 231L | 3/1950 | Santa Fe | 10/1973 | CCTR - Nose Logo | |
| 9576 | EMD | SW1500 | 10/1973 | Penn Central | Conrail | GWI | ||
| 9591 | EMD | SW1500 | 7/1966 | Reading Company | Conrail | GWI |
Table information
Note: The company's general manager has confirmed that CF7s are no longer on the company roster. No. 475 and No. 547 remained in the local area after being sold to ADM Grain, 2122 Navigation Boulevard, Corpus Christi, TX 78402 and repainted in silver with black tops. They can be easily seen from Navigation Boulevard. Additionally, EMD GP locomotives with G&W paint schemes have been added to the CCPN roster. Most of the company's locomotives are now painted in the Genesee & Wyoming livery.
Overview
Headquarters: Corpus Christi, Texas
Reporting mark: CCPN
Locale: Corpus Christi, Texas
Dates of operation: 1924–
Technical
Track gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
