Western Railroad Discussion > Santa Maria Valley Railroad Acquired by OmniTRAX

OmniTRAX Expands Operations in North America’s Largest Economy Acquisition of Santa Maria Valley Railroad fuels entry into California’s vibrant Central Coast 
 Santa Maria, Calif. – March 12, 2025 – OmniTRAX, The Broe Group’s rail and real estate affiliate, and one of North America’s fastest growing privately held rail management companies, has entered into a joint venture for the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, the 29=7pxth rail operation in the OmniTRAX national rail network. Located between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the historic California railroad provides Central Coast Valley commercial and agricultural customers a vital freight connection to coastal ports and the North American Rail Freight Network. The acquisition is a joint venture partnership with Coast Belle Rail Corporation, the local operator of the railroad since 2006. 

 “The Santa Maria Railroad plays a critical role in California’s supply chains and this acquisition is another key step in the expansion of the OmniTRAX Rail Network,” said OmniTRAX EVP Nathan Brown. “Our agreement with Coast Belle Rail Corporation marks our first rail joint venture acquisition. As a multi-generational, privately held company, OmniTRAX has the capacity to create deal structures like this that can preserve the benefits of local involvement and knowledge.” 

 Coast Belle Rail Corporation has been the local owner of the 114-year-old Santa Maria Railroad for the past two decades. The railroad’s system consists of 14.7 miles of main line track interchanging with the Union Pacific Railroad in Guadalupe that serves commercial and commodity customers in the Santa Maria Valley. Numerous sidings and spurs along the line support future growth capacity. For freight customers without direct rail access, transload facilities are available at the Osburn Rail Yard in Santa Maria. 

 “The Santa Maria Railroad has been vital to the valley for decades and this new partnership adds the resources, relationships, and real estate development capacities to ensure that this century old railroad continues to serve Californians for generations to come,” said Santa Maria Valley Railroad President Rob Himoto. “Our shared cultural values with The Broe Group’s multi-generational ownership are not only the basis of a strong partnership, they are a fitting tribute to the dedicated families that have built the Santa Maria Railroad’s wonderful legacy of service.” 

 OmniTRAX operates 29 railroads, serving ports and industrial parks across the country. By combining rail and real estate expertise, OmniTRAX continues to power major industrial hubs spanning from California to Georgia. As the largest private, family-owned short line holding company in North America, OmniTRAX has cultivated a reputation as a trusted growth partner for a diverse clientele of industry leaders and innovators. 

 About OmniTRAX, Inc. As one of North America’s largest and fastest growing private railroad and transportation management companies, OmniTRAX's core capabilities range from providing transportation and supply chain management services to railroad and port companies, to providing intermodal and industrial switching operations to railroads, ports and a diverse group of industrial companies. Through its affiliation with The Broe Group and its portfolio of managed companies, OmniTRAX also has the unique capability of offering specialized industrial development and real estate solutions, both on and off the rail network managed by OmniTRAX. For more information visit omnitrax.com. 

 About The Broe Group Founded in 1972, The Broe Group is a private, multi-billion-dollar investment group with diversified holdings in real estate, rail, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, water, healthcare and technology throughout 37 North American states and provinces. Its deep operational knowledge derived from owning and operating multi-billion-dollar businesses and the global economic insights gleaned from serving its vast Fortune 500 clientele are strategic differentiators. The Broe Group’s entrepreneurial focus enables it to find true value wherever it resides. For more information, visit broe.com. 

Todd Clark
Canyon Country, CA
Trainorders.com

well, we'll see if this is a good thing or not.    Rob has worked his ass off to hold on to customers and get new customers.
We'll see if Omnitrax has the same dedication.      IDK what their reputation is...
 

I think it is a partnership. Sounds like Rob will still be running things to me.

 

Todd Clark
Canyon Country, CA
Trainorders.com

pdt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> well, we'll see if this is a good thing or
> not.    Rob has worked his ass off to hold on
> to customers and get new customers.
> We'll see if Omnitrax has the same
> dedication.      IDK what their reputation
> is...
>  

Omnitrax talks a good game to get in the door. Unfortunately, they don't often stand behind all of their promises, sometimes none of them. They have let a lot of their properties get run down in terms of lack of track and locomotive maintenance. Customer service is not as good as a big competitor of theirs, namely Watco. They had a better focus many years ago, but then so many ex Class One guys infiltrated the upper management ranks, and things started going down hill. Imagine that. 

OmniTrax operation near me. Most of there customers are trying to sweet talk the class 1 into taking it back . 

This reminds me a lot of Bill Gardner selling the Wisconsin & Southern to Watco but remaining actively involved in the day to day operations. He sang the praises of Watco and what a great partnership it was with their shared values, etc.

Anyone remember how long Bill Gardner was actively involved (or involved at all)?

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/25 15:00 by ShortlinesUSA.

Another company to be run into the ground by Pat Broe Saw too much of what this guy did in Colorado



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/12/25 17:39 by WAF.

Not to mention their disaster in Kansas, OmniTRAX is rail's answer to low hanging fruit
less the fertilizer and tree trimming.

Out 

Remember Churchill Manitoba

Mike Root
Madras, OR

Miss Sue J. Sword must be spinning in her grave.

Gold_Coast Wrote:

Agree
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> Miss Sue J. Sword must be spinning in her grave.

Wondering if this a first move toward Omnitrax taking over all freight operation on the Coast Line in a similar manner to UP contracting out certain operations in Oregon.

Alco251 Wrote:
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> Wondering if this a first move toward Omnitrax
> taking over all freight operation on the Coast
> Line in a similar manner to UP contracting out
> certain operations in Oregon.

That is another conversation in itself as to whether there is enough business for a shortline to want to take over the business or lack of business. I can't think of any high volume potential customers along the coast line that would bring business back. For the small customers they'll just continue using trucking.  Over the past 40+ years industry has moved away from being sited next to railroad tracks. 

Todd Clark
Canyon Country, CA
Trainorders.com