Nov 14, 2018   SOURCE: BusinessWire

OmniTRAX and Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway Make a Donation to Help Turn a Caboose into a Children’s Library

OmniTRAX, Inc., one of the largest privately held transportation service companies in North America and an affiliate of The Broe Group, which manages the Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway (BRG), is providing funds to refurbish a caboose into a children’s library in downtown Brownsville, TX. The interior renovation of the former BRG caboose, which sits in Southern Pacific Linear Park next to the Brownsville Fine Arts Museum, will begin by the beginning of next year and is expected to open in early 2019.

“We are overjoyed to be sponsoring this great activity for the community of Brownsville. Books and reading are such an important part of every happy and successful life. We want to be part of the effort of helping everyone enjoy learning from an early age. Who knows, maybe one of the children will read a book on trains and want to come work for us,” said Norma Torres, President of the BRG.

Torres added that the BRG is making its donation in memory of Raul Besteiro, Jr., known as “Mr. B,” the port director from 1997 to 2004 and the Brownsville Independent School District superintendent from 1976 to 1989. Mr. B had brought the caboose to the BRG more than 20 years ago and his family worked with the railway to donate it to the City.

Dr. Dolly Sevier, a local pediatrician, is leading the effort to raise funds for the caboose project and said the new library will be staffed by the Brownsville Parks and Recreation department and feature a large variety of books for kids. It is expected to be open during the same hours as the nearby Brownsville Farmers Market so parents and their children can borrow books and read them in the park before returning them.

“Visiting the new library will be a great outing for kids and their parents. They’ll get to walk through a real caboose, borrow a few books to read and then be able to enjoy them in the park. We know that improving home literacy is a key to breaking the cycle of poverty and low educational attainment,” said Dr. Sevier. “We really appreciate the gift OmniTRAX and the Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway provided to make this happen.”

Other local organizations are also supporting the caboose renovations, including Brownsville Housing Authority, Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, City of Brownsville and Brownsville Wellness Coalition, Brownsville Preservation Society and Community Development Corporation of Brownsville. A grant from the Texas Pediatric Society is currently under review. The Port of Brownsville also made its donation in memory of Mr. B.

About OmniTRAX, Inc.

As one of North America’s largest private railroad and transportation management companies, OmniTRAX's core capabilities include providing management services to its affiliated railroad, port, intermodal and industrial switching operations. Through its affiliation with The Broe Group and its portfolio of managed companies, OmniTRAX also has the unique capability of offering specialized industrial development and real estate solutions, both on and off the rail network managed by OmniTRAX. More information is available at www.omnitrax.com.

About The Broe Group

Based in Denver, The Broe Group and its affiliates form a privately-owned, multi-billion dollar real estate, transportation, energy and investment organization with assets owned and managed across North America. Together, Broe managed companies employ more than 1,000 people and provide employment for thousands of others through operations such as its Great Western Industrial Park in Northern Colorado. Its transportation affiliate, OmniTRAX, Inc., is one of North America’s largest private railroad and transportation management companies specializing in management services, railroad and port services, intermodal solutions and industrial switching operations. Its energy affiliates include Great Western Oil & Gas Company, the largest private operator in the third most prolific U.S. basin. Broe Real Estate Group acquires, develops and manages office and industrial properties, medical office buildings and multi-family communities across the country, including premier assets in many of the most desirable markets. The Broe Group also has multiple investment affiliates, including Three Leaf Ventures, which is focused on innovative healthcare technology start-ups. For more information, visit broe.com.