Short-line and regional railroad company Genesee & Wyoming said Thursday that the U.S. Surface Transportation Board has approved its application to control RailAmerica and that company’s railroads, effective Dec. 28, 2012.

Short-line and regional freight railroad company Genesee & Wyoming today reported a net loss of $19.6 million in the third quarter, compared with net income of $32.9 million in the third quarter of 2011.

Genesee & Wyoming profit jumped 17 percent year-over-year to $36.4 million, as higher fuel surcharges and improved operations helped the short-line railroad operator offset a 6.9 percent decline i

Genesee & Wyoming is buying RailAmerica in a $1.4 billion deal that would combine the two largest short-line and regional railroad operators in North America.

The owner of RailAmerica, a short line and regional railroad holding company, is reportedly trying to find a buyer for a 56 percent stake in the company, according to a report.

RailAmerica this week announced the acquisition of a Michigan short-line railroad, a Northeast short-line railroad and a transload operator for $58 million.

RailAmerica said 34 of its customers in the first half of the year announced plans to build, expand or reopen facilities, generating more than 25,000 annual carloads for the short line operator within

RailAmerica, operator of 43 small railroads in the U.S. and Canada, swung to an $8.7 million profit in the April-June quarter on continuing operations, from a $4.2 million loss a year earlier.

Short line operator RailAmerica is buying the assets of three small freight railroads in Alabama for a total price of $12.7 million in cash.

RailAmerica, a major operator of short line railroads across the United States, said it lost $4.2 million in the second quarter after charges totaling $8.5 million for early debt retirement and the co