Modesto and Empire Traction Company

The Modesto and Empire Traction Company (reporting mark MET) is a Class III short-line railroad operating in California's San Joaquin Valley. It is owned by the Beard Land & Investment Company and the Beard family has always owned the railroad. The Beards have also created the Beard Industrial Park where the MET's customers are located. The railroad was unique in that it had operated exclusively with GE 70-ton switchers built between 1947-1955 for nearly 50 years(a former Southern Pacific EMD SW1500 switcher has been added to the roster as of late). The MET operates on 5 miles (8 km) of track, providing switching services in the Beard Industrial Park. The MET interchanges with the Union Pacific (ex-Southern Pacific Transportation Company) at Modesto and with the BNSF Railway (ex-Atchison,

Modesto and Empire Traction Company

The Modesto and Empire Traction Company (reporting mark MET) is a Class III short-line railroad operating in California's San Joaquin Valley. It is owned by the Beard Land & Investment Company and the Beard family has always owned the railroad. The Beards have also created the Beard Industrial Park where the MET's customers are located. The railroad was unique in that it had operated exclusively with GE 70-ton switchers built between 1947-1955 for nearly 50 years(a former Southern Pacific EMD SW1500 switcher has been added to the roster as of late). The MET operates on 5 miles (8 km) of track, providing switching services in the Beard Industrial Park. The MET interchanges with the Union Pacific (ex-Southern Pacific Transportation Company) at Modesto and with the BNSF Railway (ex-Atchison,