New railroad terminal manager to lead operations at Fernley facility

CARSON CITY — Northern Nevada Development Authority announced Tuesday on behalf of Black Gold Terminals: Northern Nevada, a subsidiary of Blacklands Railroad, that Drew Roschli is the new Terminal Manager for its transloading and storage terminal at the Northern Nevada Railport & Logistics Center in Fernley.

Roschli is responsible for business development and all operations within Northern Nevada. Prior to Black Gold Terminals, Roschli was a Trainmaster for the Barstow, Fresno, and San Bernardino yards of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF Railway).

He was responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of all movements of personnel and equipment within the rail facilities and surrounding areas, working extensively with partners to coordinate the on-time arrival and departure of freight. Roschli hails from Kingston, TN and holds a B.A. in Business Administration with a focus on entrepreneurship from University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

According to Blacklands Railroad President & CEO, Wayne Defebaugh, “Drew’s railroad experience combined with his entrepreneurial spirit make him a good fit for Black Gold Terminals. Our goal is to define and become the gold standard for what a rail park is and ought to be, with a focus on all aspects of rail logistics. Drew’s experience and leadership will allow us to hit the ground running at our Fernley terminal location.”

“I am excited to be joining the Black Gold Terminals team as they begin operations in Northern Nevada,” said Roschli. “This particular site has the rare distinction of being served by both Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway, allowing our customers access to competitive pricing in addition to our unparalleled service. We look forward to being a catalyst for further growth and development in the region.”

The terminal is located at 11000 Highway 50, and proudly marked by a large U.S. Flag near the entrance which is visible from the highway in both directions. Black Gold Terminals: Northern Nevada can accommodate most products. Already operational, the terminal will be available 24/7, with 5-day a week rail service. For trucks, there is major highway access, and an onsite certified truck scale with printout capability. Black Gold Terminals offers onsite railcar switching and repair, along with the ability to track and trace railcars throughout the U.S. In mid-August 2018, Black Gold Terminals: Northern Nevada expects to have a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome its new locomotive for the rail park.

“NNDA is proud of the role it played in assisting Blacklands Railroad to locate its newest Black Gold Terminal in the Sierra Region,” said Robert Hooper, NNDA President & CEO. “Under our first U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Coalition Assessment Cooperative Agreement, a Phase 1 environmental site assessment was done for the entire Northern Nevada Railport & Logistics Center. This ensured that the property was clear for use as a rail park.”

Trains are the most efficient way of transporting freight over land, moving a ton of cargo about 468 miles on a single gallon of fuel, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR). In addition, railroads are the most environmentally friendly way to move freight over land. Private rail companies pay their own way with little help from taxpayers. On average, railroads reinvest 40% of every dollar they earn back into their infrastructure.