NTSB to investigate rail death in Alabama (additional update)

Logo of Transtar rail

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the death of a Transtar Rail employee in Fairfield, Ala., the agency said in a social media post on Tuesday, June 17. A Transtar spokesman said in a June 18 emailed statement that the company “regretfully confirms” a fatality. “We are investigating the incident and are […]

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Watco receives investment of more than $600 million

Louisiana shortline’s first train sits on tracks on startup day.

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Watco Cos., the rail and transportation logistics company that operates some 45 short lines, has received a minority investment of more than $600 million from Duration Capital Partners, the companies announced today (June 17, 2025). The investment will be used to address Watco’s long-term strategic investments, the company said, including assuming full […]

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OmniTRAX begins Santa Maria Valley Railroad joint venture

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – OmniTRAX yesterday began operations on the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, the short line holding company’s 29th rail operation. The operation is a joint venture partnership with Coast Belle Rail Corp., the local owner of the 114-year-old Santa Maria Railroad for the past two decades. “This joint venture brings our companies’ collective […]

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Uinta Basin Railway backers set hearing on bonds

PRICE, Utah — The Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, the governmental body behind the Uinta Basin Railway project, has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, June 12, on its intent to seek $2.4 billion in private activity bonds for construction of the 88-mile rail line. The coalition last week approved a plan lto seek the funding […]

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Manitoba wildfires threaten remote Keewatin Railway

Smoke and fire along railway

THE PAS, Manitoba — Keewatin Railway Co. employees are part of a continuing effort to save the bridges on the remote Manitoba railroad from the wildfires ravaging the province, the CBC reports. Manitoba is under a state of emergency as 29 wildfires, 10 of them out of control, continue to burn, forcing evacuations of 27 […]

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Reading & Northern promotes Raffa to EVP marketing and sales

Head shot of man with mustache in pink shirt

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Reading & Northern Railroad has promoted Jim Raffa to executive vice president, marketing and sales, the company has announced. In his new position, Raffa will assist CEO Andy Muller and President Wayne Michel in creating and implementing the company’s commercial strategy. The R&N has seen freight traffic increase more than […]

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Ballard to provide hydrogen fuel cell engines for Sierra Northern

Blue, green, and yellow locomotive moving two freight cars

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Ballard Power Systems will supply 12 hydrogen fuel cell engines to Sierra Northern Railway for Sierra Northern’s hydrogen locomotive project, Ballard announced on Thursday (June 5). The engines, capable of generating 1.5 megawatts, will be used to convert three diesel switchers to hydrogen power. Sierra Northern held the initial test for […]

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Proposed rock-hauling rail line in Texas placed on hold

Map of proposed short line in Texas

BURNET, Texas — An aggregates company’s proposal to build a 26.9-mile railroad to haul rock in Texas’ Hill Country is on hold in the wake of public opposition. Texas Materials Group had initiated the Surface Transportation Board’s environmental review process for construction of a new line in Burnet and Lampasas Counties to serve four quarries […]

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R.J. Corman chief executive steps down

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. — R.J. Corman Railroad Group CEO Ed Quinn is stepping down after nearly nine years at the helm of the short line and railroad services company. Quinn will remain on board during a transition period, the company announced yesterday, noting that it has launched a search for a new chief executive. “We very […]

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