Birmingham Terminal, which is a subsidiary of Kansas-based Watco Cos. LLC, said in a statement that it hopes to begin operations Feb. 1 and will hire back some of Birmingham Southern’s workforce.

The company built the Birmingham Southern Freight Depot on the site of the former Linn Iron Works in 1928. The depot served as the railroad's principal freight terminal until the mid-1970s.

In its statement, Watco said Birmingham Southern employees are being briefed today on how to apply for jobs after the change. A filing with the Surface Transportation Board says the company plans ...