Rail Service Reopens Between Wellington and Blackwell
Last February, the Blackwell Industrial Authority (BIA), in collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), announced that the 37-mile rail line connecting Wellington, Kansas, and Blackwell, Oklahoma, would reopen under a new operator. The line, formerly operated by Blackwell Northern Gateway, was slated to be operated by Land Rush Rail, a subsidiary of Farmrail System, Inc.
The rail line had been closed the previous year in February 2024, after the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) cited safety concerns.
About a month after the operator transition was announced, a fire broke out on a state-owned railroad bridge north of Blackwell. The incident halted progress and delayed the reopening of the rail line indefinitely while repairs, inspections, and regulatory coordination took place.
Following 703 days of closure and extensive infrastructure and regulatory work, railroad operations resumed under Land Rush Rail this week.
“This railroad represents a key asset not just to the Blackwell community, but to the entire region,” said Charlene Flanery, executive director of the BIA. “It supports our existing industries, helps sustain local jobs and strengthens a broader regional collaboration that extends into Kansas, creating economic and logistical benefits for both states.”
The rail line, jointly owned by ODOT and the BIA, extends from Wellington to Blackwell, including key segments within the City of Blackwell. It is operated by Land Rush Rail, a subsidiary of Farmrail System, a long-established Oklahoma shortline railroad company with decades of experience.
“Land Rush Rail is proud to partner in restoring this critical transportation link,” a Land Rush Rail representative said. “As a Farmrail subsidiary, our focus is on safe operations, strong partnerships, and ensuring this line serves the long-term needs of shippers and communities along the corridor.”
With trains once again operating through the area, the BIA urges residents, motorists, and pedestrians to use extreme caution at railroad crossings. The public is reminded to obey all posted signage and signals and remain alert for train traffic at all times.
Railroad workers may also be present at certain crossings and may manually flag traffic to stop while ongoing repairs and improvements continue along the rail line. Motorists are reminded to follow all instructions from railroad personnel and proceed only when it is safe to do so.
“This revitalization project has put Blackwell back on the national railroad map,” said ODOT Director of Multimodal Planning Jared Schwennesen. “With bridge and crossing upgrades and related track surfacing work complete, we anticipate an increase from historical traffic levels as new businesses come online in the Blackwell community.”
BIA officials emphasized that the successful reopening would not have been possible without the involvement of numerous partners at the local, state, and federal levels—most importantly the customers—all working toward the shared goal of restoring safe and reliable rail service.