The Austin Western Railroad ( reporting mark AWRR) is a Class III short-line railroad headquartered in Round Rock, Texas. AWRR is a subsidiary of Watco. It is the contracted operator of 126 miles (203 km) of ex-Southern Pacific trackage, now owned by Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. AWRR operates the line from Fairland, Texas to Giddings, Texas, in addition to 6.4 miles (10.3 km) of branchline from Fairland to Marble Falls, Texas. Another 28 miles (45 km) of track remain out of service between Fairland and Llano, having most recently seen revenue service in 2005. This portion comprises the Austin and Northwestern Railroad Historic District.

The AWRR interchanges with the Union Pacific and BNSF Railway; both at McNeil, Texas.

The AWRR shares trackage with the CapMetro Rail Red Line between Leander and Austin.

The Austin Steam Train Association (ASTA) operates excursion trains between Cedar Park and Burnet.

History

The Austin Western Railroad was founded in 2007, with Watco winning the bid to operate the line after the Austin Area Terminal Railroad's contract with Capital Metro ended.

Traffic

AWRR traffic includes aggregates, crushed limestone, calcium bicarbonate, lumber, beer, chemicals, plastics and paper.

An incomplete list of AWRR customers, as of March 2024:

Roster

External links

• Austin Western Railroad website
• Link to Union Pacific Website with AUAR Details
• Austin Steam Train Association