Work has begun on a $9.7 million upgrade to the West Texas & Lubbock Railway. Iowa Pacific Holdings is using a low-interest federal loan to finance the project, which will upgrade more than 70 miles of rail lines and improve 20 grade crossings on the 107-mile railway.

The West Texas & Lubbock Railway is actually two lines out of Lubbock, one to the west to Whiteface, and the other running southwest to Seagraves.

The rail line now serves area oil and agricultural interests, but its future probably will involve other cargo.