South Dakota seeks funds to upgrade deteriorating short line

Map of the Twin Cities & Western Railroad and its two related rail lines

SISSETON, S.D. — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s proposed state budget includes $6.25 million to help upgrade the Sisseton-Milbank Railroad, a 37-mile line serving a grain elevator which has deteriorated to the point that traffic can only creep along at 5 mph or less, and averages about one derailment a year. The Mitchell Republic reports […]

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CSX Santa Train returns to the rails

It began as a simple act of generosity to the folks of the Appalachian coalmining region. Now, 80 years later, the CSX Santa Train continues the tradition of distributing upward of 15 tons of toys and treats to delighted children and parents along a 110-mile railroad run. From onboard and trackside perspectives, follow the route […]

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Food Machinery Corporation 50-foot plug door boxcar from Athearn

Food Machinery Corporation 50-foot boxcar: an orange boxcar illustration against a white background

Food Machinery Corporation 50-foot plug door boxcar from Athearn Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $39.99. Add $5 for Prime for Grime models. Era: 1977+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com FMC 50’ boxcar features: Separately applied grab irons, end ladders and brake wheel Photo-etched cross-over platform 33” […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Powder River Basin Coal Trains

There may be no better place than Logan Hill to highlight hard-working, heavy-haulin’ railroads in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. In this exploration of BSIR, Tom documents the parade of trains along the impressive, shared BNSF/Union Pacific four-track mainline through Thunder Basin National Grassland. While this territory is often maligned as “fly-over country”, Tom’s […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Intermodal Trains

With its fast-moving, extensive-length, and often technicolor appearance, intermodal freight transportation along the rails of North America is interesting to view anywhere! But when set amongst a dramatic backdrop of the Mountain West region, you’ll find it hard not to be completely captivated by the magical culmination of engineered efficiency and striking natural beauty. That’s […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Powder River Basin Coal Trains

There may be no better place than Logan Hill to highlight hard-working, heavy-haulin’ railroads in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. In this exploration of BSIR, Tom documents the parade of trains along the impressive, shared BNSF/Union Pacific four-track mainline through Thunder Basin National Grassland. While this territory is often maligned as “fly-over country”, Tom’s […]

Read More…

Big Skies & Iron Rails, Intermodal Trains

With its fast-moving, extensive-length, and often technicolor appearance, intermodal freight transportation along the rails of North America is interesting to view anywhere! But when set amongst a dramatic backdrop of the Mountain West region, you’ll find it hard not to be completely captivated by the magical culmination of engineered efficiency and striking natural beauty. That’s […]

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Winchester & Western to serve new West Virginia steel mill

Black diesel locomotives on freight train in farm fields

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Winchester & Western Railroad has signed an agreement to serve a new Commercial Metals Co. steel mill in West Virginia, OmniTRAX, the railroad’s parent company, has announced. OmniTRAX says CMC, the largest manufacture rof steel reinforcing bar in North America and central Europe, selected the Falling Waters, W.Va., site after a […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Powder River Basin Coal Trains

There may be no better place than Logan Hill to highlight hard-working, heavy-haulin’ railroads in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. In this exploration of BSIR, Tom documents the parade of trains along the impressive, shared BNSF/Union Pacific four-track mainline through Thunder Basin National Grassland. While this territory is often maligned as “fly-over country”, Tom’s […]

Read More…

Big Skies & Iron Rails, Intermodal Trains

With its fast-moving, extensive-length, and often technicolor appearance, intermodal freight transportation along the rails of North America is interesting to view anywhere! But when set amongst a dramatic backdrop of the Mountain West region, you’ll find it hard not to be completely captivated by the magical culmination of engineered efficiency and striking natural beauty. That’s […]

Read More…