It is the contracted operator of 126 miles (203 km) of ex-Southern Pacific trackage, now owned by Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The AWRR interchanges with the Union Pacific and BNSF Railway; both at McNeil, Texas.

The AWRR shares trackage with the CapMetro Rail Red Line between Leander and Austin.

The Austin Western Railroad was founded in 2007, with Watco winning the bid to operate the line after the Austin Area Terminal Railroad's contract with Capital Metro ended.

[citation needed] AWRR traffic includes aggregates, crushed limestone, calcium bicarbonate, lumber, beer, chemicals, plastics and paper.