All Aboard: Henderson groundbreaking kicks off Overton Rail Line project
Published 3:52 pm Friday, October 17, 2025
HENDERSON — Under a bright Wednesday morning sky, representatives of the city, county and state joined together for a momentous ceremony: the groundbreaking of the Henderson Overton Branch (HOB) Rail Line, aimed at reinvigorating freight rail service in Rusk County and positioning Henderson as a hub of commerce and industry.
The event, held at 10:30 a.m. at a site just west of the city, drew in state and local officials, business leaders, economic development promoters, and residents eager to witness the next chapter of progress.
“Moving a railroad car is a four-figure event,” said John Cloutier, president of the Rusk County Rural Rail District (RCRRD). “So having that kind of value in our town, anchored to the dirt, it’s what we want. It’s who we are and we’re going to stand up for it.”
“For a community to have a short line railroad is a big deal,” said Senator Bryan Hughes, who joined a significant group of other state and local officials for the exciting event. “It’s tremendous for jobs, for economic development and folks in Henderson and Rusk County have worked on this for almost 20 years trying to get federal money, trying to get the laws lined up. This year in the Texas Legislature we passed a bill to help them do it and once this is fully up and running we’re going to have more manufacturing here, more companies that want to be here so they can get their products onto that main line and to their customers, meaning more jobs, higher standard of living. It’s good for everybody. It’s exciting.”
A long-standing vision comes to life
The Henderson Overton Rail Hub is tied to the revitalization of the 14-mile Henderson Overton Branch (HOB), a rail corridor originally built in the late 19th century and now owned by Rusk County. For decades, the line fell into decline, but through coordinated local efforts, it was rescued from abandonment and operated by Blacklands Railroad.
The new investment aims to modernize and expand that infrastructure, enhancing speed, capacity, and connectivity. Funding includes an $8.48 million grant from the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure & Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, combined with matching contributions from regional and private partners.
The total project is expected to exceed $15 million once all phases are complete.
What the hub will bring
Officials say the Henderson Overton Rail Hub will include expanded transload yards, additional siding tracks, and upgrades to the interchange switch that connects the HOB line to Union Pacific’s mainline. These enhancements are meant to raise the line’s speed from its current slower ratings to around 25 mph, facilitating more efficient freight movement.
The hub is expected to catalyze new industrial development, drawing in businesses that rely on rail for bulk goods such as lumber, aggregates, chemicals, steel, and construction materials. A transload facility just west of Henderson currently provides space for product transfers between rail and truck – a feature that will be expanded under the new plan.
Economic forecasts tied to the project suggest the creation of “hundreds of jobs” in construction and ongoing operations. Local leaders see ripple effects: increased demand for housing, site-prepped industrial land, and new business clusters along the rail corridor.
Several city officials emphasized that the rail hub would diversify Henderson’s economy, reduce congestion on highways by shifting freight off trucks, and boost property tax revenues in the long term. Local business owners in attendance expressed optimism about improved logistics and lower shipping costs.
Looking ahead
Construction is slated to roll out in phases over the next 18 to 24 months, with track rehabilitation, siding installation, and yard expansions among the early tasks. Once operational, the Overton Rail Hub could become a linchpin infrastructure asset for East Texas, connecting Henderson more seamlessly with national rail networks.
As the crowd left the site, many lingered by the mound of earth, imagining rolling trains and loaded freight cars — a visual reminder that, for Henderson and Rusk County, new rails may mean new horizons.
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