Little Rock Port Authority Railroad

The Little Rock Port Authority Railroad is a switching railroad that serves the Little Rock Port Industrial Park. The line extends from its junction with the Union Pacific Railroad and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company near the Little Rock National Airport to the Arkansas River at the Little Rock Port dock facilities. The system includes several spur lines to industries within the Industrial District and a marshaling yard where switching takes place between the Little Rock Port Authority Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company. The Port Railroad operates on approximately 12.2 miles of track.

The Port Railroad is a vital link in the transportation network for the Little Rock Port Industrial District. The railroad provides direct intermodal connections with the Port terminal on the Arkansas River for over 40 industries, warehouses, and distribution companies in the Port district along with numerous shippers from the central Arkansas region. This allows shippers to access global market areas via the Arkansas/Mississippi Rivers systems through the international port at New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Port Railroad operates with a four man crew. Hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Overtime switching to Port Industrial Park Companies is available. The Port Railroad connects to the Union Pacific Railroad and by trackage/haulage rights to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

The Port Railroad is a Surface Transporation Board certified switching railroad authorized by ICC Federal Docket No. 24549 dated August 4, 1967. The Port Railroad activated certification in June 1972, and hired a four man crew in October 1974.