Baja California Railroad

What Baja California Railroad does

Baja California Railroad (BJRR) is a privately held short-line railway operator founded in 2012 that manages the 71.4 km Tijuana–Tecate short line in Mexico under a government concession held by ADMICARGA, a decentralized entity of the State of Baja California. The company provides rail freight transportation of metals, chemicals, fertilizers, fuels, plastics, lumber, minerals, agricultural products, and automotive parts across the U.S.–Mexico border, connecting to Class 1 railroads BNSF and SDIV (and, via the Desert Line, Union Pacific). Core technology relies on GE Transportation's RMI system for railcar tracking and cross-border coordination, supported by Hi-Rail inspection vehicles and joint SAT/CBP customs protocols with K-9 and gamma-ray screening.

BJRR operates four stations — Tijuana Interchange, García Transloading, Valle Redondo, and Tecate — offering integrated logistics that combine freight movement with 3,400 m² of enclosed warehousing, 6,200 m² of open transloading yard, refrigerated storage, customs clearance, and door-to-door last-mile delivery. Revenue is generated primarily through per-shipment transaction fees (published per-station rates ranging from $585 to $1,195 USD for non-hazardous cargo and $1,070–$1,101 for hazardous materials), supplemented by transloading, storage, and auxiliary services. In 2017 the line moved approximately 327,641 tons across 20+ customers, with LPG (48.90%), corn, and corn syrup as the dominant commodity mix. Following its 2017 CRE hydrocarbon authorization and 2018 Union Pacific alliance, BJRR is rehabilitating the 112.75 km Desert Line (57 bridges, 17 tunnels) to extend its reach from Campo, CA to Plaster City, opening a new vertical in fuel logistics and full North American rail connectivity through the Cali-Baja mega region.

Name

Baja California Railroad

Legal name

Baja California Railroad

Website

https://bajarr.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Baja California Railroad is a private short-line railway operator running the 71.4 km Tijuana–Tecate corridor under a state concession, providing cross-border freight, transloading, storage, and door-to-door logistics to industrial and maquiladora customers in the Cali-Baja mega region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rail Freight Transportation

NAICS

Short Line Railroads (482112), Support Activities for Rail Transportation (488210)

SIC

Railroad Switching & Terminal Establishments (4013), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTLADACAK

Unit Train & Dedicated Contract Rail Services

Transportation & Logistics/Freight Transportation (Air, Maritime, Rail, Trucking)/Rail Freight Operators (Class I/Regional/Short Line)

SECONDARYTLAJAFAF

Rail Terminal Switching, Shunting & Yard Locomotive Services

Transportation & Logistics/Transportation Infrastructure & Operations (Roads, Rail Networks, Traffic Management)/Intermodal & Freight Rail Yards / Terminals Operations

SECONDARYTLALAFAJ

Rail-Truck Transload Terminals (Inland)

Transportation & Logistics/Warehousing & Storage (Cold Chain, Fulfillment, Depots)/Cross-Docking & Transload Facilities

SECONDARYEUALADAI

Rail Transportation of Crude & Refined Products

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Oil & Gas (Upstream, Midstream, Downstream and Refining)/Midstream Transportation (Pipelines, Shipping, Rail & Truck)

Keywords

• Rail freight transportation
• Cross-border logistics
• Short line railroad
• Bulk cargo shipping
• Customs transloading

Headquarters

HQ city

Tijuana

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Freight Transportation Services: Rail freight transportation of cargo including metals, chemicals, fertilizers, fuels, plastics, lumber, minerals, agricultural products, and automotive parts across the Tijuana-Tecate short line with international cross-border connectivity.
2. Transloading and Storage Services: Cargo handling, loading/unloading, merchandise storage, inventory management, and refrigerated product storage at station facilities. Services include 3,400 m2 of enclosed warehouse, 6,200 m2 of open transloading area, and cold storage chambers.
3. Last-Mile Delivery and Auxiliary Services: Door-to-door delivery, rail car dragging, special transloading operations, and safeguarding services for railcars. Equipment rental and spur/sider development services for custom client infrastructure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Baja California Railroad operates a binational rail freight network along the 71.4 km Tijuana-Tecate short line and the 112.75 km Desert Line, providing cross-border cargo transportation, transloading, storage and warehousing, customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery for industrial customers between Mexico and the United States. The company connects directly with Class 1 railroads (BNSF, SDIV, Union Pacific) and holds a CRE authorization for transporting hydrocarbons (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, LPG) by rail. Operations are centered at four stations (Tijuana Interchange, García Transloading, Valle Redondo, Tecate) with full logistics infrastructure including 3,400 m² of enclosed warehouse, 6,200 m² of open transloading area, and refrigerated storage chambers.

Product overview

Baja California Railroad (BJRR) operates as a binational railway freight company managing the Tijuana-Tecate Short Line (71.4 km) and the Desert Line project (112.75 km). The core offering is rail freight transportation connecting to Class 1 railroads BNSF and San Diego Imperial Valley for cross-border cargo movement. BJRR provides integrated logistics services through four stations (Tijuana Interchange, Garcia Transloading, Valle Redondo, and Tecate), encompassing transloading, customs clearance, storage/warehousing, and door-to-door delivery. Recent additions include hydrocarbon transportation authorization (diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, LPG) and the Desert Line rehabilitation project for Union Pacific connectivity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rail Freight Transportation Service Core rail freight transportation of cargo including metals, chemicals, fertilizers, fuels, plastics, lumber, minerals, agricultural products, and automotive parts for industrial customers across the U.S.-Mexico border, connecting to Class 1 railroads (BNSF, SDIV, Union Pacific) for shipments throughout North America.
• Transloading Services Cargo handling, loading, and unloading services at BJRR stations including specialized transloading for various commodity types. Includes 6,200 m² of open transloading area and capabilities for diverse cargo types.
• Storage and Warehousing Storage services including 3,400 m² of enclosed warehouse, 6,200 m² of open transloading patio, 24,000 ft³ for refrigerated products, and 8,000 ft³ for frozen products at Garcia Transloading Station, with inventory management systems.
• Door-to-Door Delivery Last-mile delivery service transporting cargo from railway stations directly to customer plants or warehouses, providing a complete logistics solution for industrial clients.
• Hydrocarbon Transportation Transportation of fuels including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and LPG. BJRR received CRE authorization in June 2017 for hydrocarbon transport via rail, becoming one of only five companies to receive such authorization. The first diesel fuel transport by rail to Baja California in over 100 years occurred in June 2018.
• Desert Line Desert Line rehabilitation and future operation of the 112.75 km railway route connecting Campo, CA to Plaster City, enabling eastern connectivity with Union Pacific and full binational railway coverage. Includes 57 bridges and 17 tunnels to be rehabilitated.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% increase in paper movements in Q1 2018 vs 2017
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• Union Pacific (UP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2018Strategic alliance with Union Pacific (UP), one of the world's largest railroad companies, for direct interchange connectivity through the Desert Line at Calexico. This partnership enables BJRR to position rail service to all parts of the United States. UP participates in sales meetings and project follow-ups for Desert Line rehabilitation, with Mexico Director Marcus Tyrance leading engagement.
• BNSF RailwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClass 1 railroad connection at downtown San Diego providing connectivity to BNSF's extensive US rail network for cross-border cargo movement.
• San Diego Imperial Valley (SDIV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRailroad connection providing connectivity to the northwest at San Ysidro, CA port of entry to the United States.
• ADMICARGA (Administradora de la Vía Corta)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDecentralized entity of the State Government of Baja California that holds the concession of the short line since 1999. BJRR operates the Tijuana-Tecate short line in collaboration with ADMICARGA.
• Smart Border CoalitionstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerBinational organization with 12 businessmen in Tijuana and 12 from the US side promoting optimization of border crossings. Recommends BJRR rail services to regional companies for significant savings in border crossing wait times.
• Cámara de Comercio de San Diego (San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce)strategicGTM or Marketing PartnerSan Diego regional chamber promotes BJRR projects and Desert Line rehabilitation as key binational initiatives for generating competitiveness in the Cali-Baja mega region.
• Baja Logistik ClusterstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional logistics cluster partner supporting BJRR initiatives.
• Mega Región CalibajastrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerBinational initiative promoting economic development between San Diego County, Imperial County, and northern Baja California. Supports BJRR rail infrastructure projects for attracting investment and enhancing regional competitiveness.
• SCT (Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMexican government agency regulating railway transportation. Oversees railway concessions, safety standards, and operational compliance. BJRR operates under SCT regulations and participates in joint infrastructure projects.
• CBP (Customs and Border Protection)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS customs authority coordinating cross-border inspections and cargo clearance. BJRR maintains constant communication with CBP for border crossing procedures and joint inspection protocols.
• CRE (Comisión Reguladora de Energía)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMexican energy regulatory commission that authorized BJRR's permit for transporting hydrocarbons (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel) by rail - one of only 5 companies to receive such authorization.
• ARTF (Agencia Reguladora del Transporte Ferroviario)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRailway transport regulatory agency created by SCT that conducts verification and compliance operations on railway concessions including BJRR's Tijuana-Tecate short line.
• MTS (Metropolitan Transit System)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia transit authority that approved BJRR's rehabilitation and operation of the Desert Line in June 2016, enabling full connectivity with the United States.
• FRA (Federal Railroad Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS federal agency regulating railroad safety. BJRR crews are FRA certified for operations on both US and Mexico sides, and FRA regulations govern Desert Line rehabilitation and operations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Ferromex: Mexico's largest railroad, owned by Grupo México, operating freight rail across northern Mexico including Baja California. Comparable as a Mexican freight rail operator serving cross-border industrial customers, though at much greater scale and network breadth.
• Kansas City Southern de México (CPKC): Major Mexican freight railroad (now part of CPKC) connecting Mexican industrial centers to US Class 1 networks. Comparable as a binational freight rail operator, though operating a much longer-haul network.
• Ferrosur: Mexican freight railroad operating in southern/southeastern Mexico. Comparable as a domestic Mexican rail freight operator under similar regulatory framework (SCT/ARTF), though geographically distinct.
• Union Pacific: Largest US Class 1 railroad and BJRR's 2018 strategic alliance partner for the Desert Line interchange at Calexico. Comparable as a cross-border rail freight partner/operator, though at massive scale and network breadth.
• BNSF Railway: Major US Class 1 railroad and BJRR's existing interchange partner via San Diego. Comparable as a Class 1 rail freight operator and key counterpart for BJRR's cross-border volumes.

Direct peers

• Genesee & Wyoming Inc. Global short line railroad operator (now part of Brookfield) operating 100+ short lines including cross-border operations. Direct peer given business model focus on short line freight rail serving industrial customers.
• Watco Companies: US-based short line and industrial switching railroad operator with transloading and rail logistics services. Direct peer given overlapping model of short line operations plus terminal/transloading services for industrial customers.
• OmniTRAX: Short line railroad and rail logistics operator with a portfolio of short lines across the US and Canada, including industrial switching and transloading. Direct peer given focus on industrial short line freight and value-added logistics.
• Anacostia Rail Holdings: Short line railroad holding company providing freight rail service across multiple US short lines. Direct peer given short line ownership/operation business model with similar industrial customer focus.
• Pacific Imperial Railroad: Original operator of the Desert Line corridor in the San Diego–Imperial Valley region. Direct peer given overlapping geography and the same Desert Line asset before BJRR's involvement.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BajaRailroad
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCb3R2D0RAxRG0015IgFP5jg
• Facebookfacebook.com/BajaCaliforniaRailroad
• Instagraminstagram.com/bajacaliforniarailroad

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Baja California Railroad