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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.7

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report
included in this Registration Statement and to the incorporation by reference in
this Registration Statement of our report dated February 17, 2000, included in
RailAmerica, Inc.'s Form 8-K filed September 1, 2000, and to all references to
our firm included in this Registration Statement.


                                               ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


San Antonio, Texas
September 21, 2000