The company locals hope will restore rail service to Horry County has notified the U.S. Surface Transportation that it plans to complete a deal to buy Carolina Southern Railroad on or about Feb. 11.

R.J. Corman Railroad Company/Carolina Lines LLC said in two filings with the federal board last week that it will acquire nearly 75 miles of track and that Carolina Southern owner Ken Pippin will retain ownership of a mile of track in Whiteville, N.C.

Neither Pippin nor the attorney who filed the papers for the rail company could be reached immediately for comment.