(12/4) Thurmont welcomed the whistles of progress as Maryland Transload Logistics, LLC (MTL) held a ribbon cutting ceremony December 2 to open its new transload center. Headquartered at 201 Poplar Avenue, MTL is a rail to truck reloading and transload facility serving the high traffic areas of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, all the way to New England.

The transload center aims to transport goods quicker and more cost effectively by utilizing a combination of rail transport with truck delivery.

Transloading refers to the process of transferring a shipment from one mode of transportation to another while en-route to the ultimate destination. The new Thurmont terminal includes 50 acres in an existing industrial park with access to major interstates and connection of a new rail spur.

As one railcar can carry as much as four tractor trailers, the aim of MTL is combining cost effective rail transport with the ease of truck delivery to provide more environmentally friendly transportation and greatly cut down on vehicle fuel.

The MTL Transload will be serviced by Maryland Midland Railway as part of the Genesee and Wyoming railroad company with access to CSX Railroad. "It’s a central hub and a public reloading center for anything that needs to be shipped across the middle of Maryland and across the east coast," MTL owner Scott Austin said.

The idea for Thurmont’s MTL transloading rail system developed as a way to receive and distribute inventory more efficiently for the existing building material and trust manufacturing company, Structural LLC, Austin said.

Tamar Osterman of the Maryland Department of Commerce of Frederick and Carroll counties welcomed "Maryland's new inland port," saying, "Rail is an important part of the economy of the state."

Mayor John Kinnaird and officials of Thurmont Town Hall welcomed the transload facility as a service to the community. Remembering an era when trains were plentiful to when they slowly faded away, "Trains to me always show vitality and a strong economic base," Kinnaird said.

"This is a prime example of a great partnership between private industry and the local community," General Manager Eric Welch said.

Owner of Maryland Midland Railway Len Wagner marveled at the partnerships and progress accomplished together to create the transport facility. "To think it all came together during a pandemic," he said.

Officials are excited about the potential of the facility as not just for the here and now but future progress. Discussion is currently underway for additional acre development and the rail spur is also built to allow for extension, according to Austin. "The room for growth is an endless opportunity," Austin said.