Norfolk Southern Corporation opened its new $5.9 million Thoroughbred Bulk Transfer terminal in Knoxville, Tennessee. The new terminal is located adjacent to I-275 and fewer than two miles from I-40 and I-75 at 849 Tennessee Ave., in Knoxville, adjacent to Norfolk Southern's rail yard.

The facility can handle dry and liquid bulk commodities such as flour, cornstarch, and corn syrup, as well as aggregates such as sand and cement. It features 48 car spots, all in containment, a certified truck scale, and is fully paved, fenced, and lighted.

Thoroughbred Bulk Transfer terminals are specialized facilities that allow customers to transfer a large array of commodities between rail cars and trucks. The facilities allow customers without rail sidings to receive the benefits of rail economics and service quality.

"The Knoxville TBT is well-positioned to reach local markets as well as extend the reach of our TBT facility network even more effectively to serve markets such as Kingsport, Loudon, and Morristown in East Tennessee as well as Western North Carolina and Southwest Virginia," NS Group Vice President Scott McGregor said.

"I want to thank Norfolk Southern for their continued support of the Knoxville community," Knoxville Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mike Edwards said. "This new bulk transfer facility will help in our industrial recruitment efforts to sell the region to companies that are interested in shipping raw materials via rail."

Norfolk Southern has a network of 31 TBT facilities in 17 states, which are operated by independent contractors who are industry experts in facilitating safe and efficient bulk transfer and distribution. The new Knoxville terminal is operated by RSI Leasing Inc.