Patriot Rail names Tisa, Turnauckas to executive positions

Patriot Rail logo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Thomas J. Tisa will join Patriot Rail as chief commercial officer while Robert Turnauckas will move from chief commercial officer to a new position, president, Scenic Rail Excursions, the company has announced. The changes are effective Nov. 1. Tisa, with more than 30 years of industry experience, has held sales and marketing […]

Read More…

CSX, short lines in recovery mode after Hurricane Milton

Train with blue and yellow locomotive in yard

TAMPA, Fla. — Freight railroads from the Gulf Coast to Miami are still assessing damages and making repairs after Hurricane Milton made landfall near St. Petersburg, Fla., late Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane. According to CSX’s most recent customer advisory, all routes north of Jacksonville, Fla., are open with no anticipated issues, as is […]

Read More…

Iowa provides $5.1 million in loans, grants for rail projects

DECORAH, Iowa — The Iowa Transportation Commission has approved loans and grants totaling $5.1 million for six rail infrastructure and development projects under the state’s Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant program. The agency says the projects will support creation and retention of 55 jobs within the three years of project completion. Receiving funding as Targeted […]

Read More…

Deciphering railroad lingo

A worker holds a pole next to a steam locomotive moving slowly.

Railroad lingo What is the railroad’s lingo? Utilized mostly by railroaders, it’s a way of speaking among co-workers that involves using railroad terminology, jargon, slang, or argot. Common lingo can vary from one group of individuals to another. Not born of this world, I’ve struggled to understand some of the language the railroad professionals use […]

Read More…

Recalling a Vermont railfan event

green and yellow locomotive in front of covered bridge

Vermont railfan event About 80 “train catchers” boarded coaches behind Rutland No. 405 that Saturday. Some carried cameras, some notebooks, some with a buddy, some came alone. What did all of us have in common? Trains. I call us “train catchers” because like dream catchers, we anticipate a safe journey provided by our engine. We […]

Read More…

News photo: Iowa Interstate Family Days train

Passenger train with three cars and locomotive at each end

BLUE ISLAND, Ill. — Iowa Interstate Railroad operated a Family Days passenger train from Blue Island, Ill., its Chicago-area gateway, to Mokena, Ill., on Saturday, Oct. 5 to celebrate the railroad’s 40th anniversary. Railroad President Joe Parsons was on handle to welcome families and employees past and present, and thank them for their dedication. The […]

Read More…

Alaska Railroad proves its mettle

A yellow and navy blue locomotive pulls a freight train through a forested setting

Early last spring, it was time to plan a summer vacation and get to some unfinished business. Alison and I agreed on the overall goal: get to Alaska. For her it was the call of Denali National Park and the fjords along the coast south of Seward. For me (no surprise), it was the chance […]

Read More…

Fort Wayne society names Lynch as executive director

Man in period rail garb in front of steam locomotive

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, known for its stewardship of Nickel Plate Road steam engine No. 765 and the Indiana Rail Experience rail tourism program, has named Kelly Lynch as its first executive director — the first paid employee in the organization’s 52-year history. Lynch has been a member of […]

Read More…