Ohio Rail Development Commission awards grants to three railroads

Logo of Ohio Rail Development Commission

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Rail Development Commission has announced grants totaling more than $1.65 million for infrastructure projects for the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway, East Ohio Valley Railway, and Camp Chase Railway. These grants join the previously announced grant of more than $1.23 million for R.J. Corman’s Western Ohio Lines [see “Two R.J. […]

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Pair of Berkshires build on 2024’s must-see big steam

People gather around a steam locomotive during an event

FORT WAYNE, Ind., and OWOSSO, Mich. — Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 has been a recent showstopper during its epic CPKC Final Spike Steam Tour from Canada to the U.S. and Mexico. But with summer closing in, expect more locomotives to take center stage as part of 2024’s must-see big steam, including a pair of […]

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Amtrak Borealis makes debut

Passenger train running along river with city in distance

ST. PAUL, Minn. — It was 43 years in the making, but the Chicago-Twin Cities corridor finally has a second Amtrak passenger train. In ceremonies in Chicago, St. Paul and intermediate points today, Amtrak and state, local, and federal official marked the first run of the Borealis, new daily service between Chicago Union Station and […]

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American Track acquires Strategic Rail

Logo of American Track

FORT WORTH, Texas — North American Rail Solutions subsidiary American Track has acquired Strategic Rail, LLC, of Tomahawk, Wis. The combined companies will continue as American Track. Strategic Rail, established in 2005 by Dianna and Travis Gustafson, provides services including grapple truck operations, material handling, railcar movement, and vegetation control. Its strength in the Great […]

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Two R.J. Corman Ohio lines receive state grant for track upgrades

Logo of R.J. Corman Railroad Group

COLUMBUS, Ohio — R.J. Corman’s Western Ohio Lines has received a $1.23 million grant from the Ohio Rail Development Commission for rehabilitation of its Greenville and Spencerville-Elgin lines, the commission has announced. Total cost of the work on the two lines is estimated at more than $2.4 million. On the 12-mile Greenville line, the grant […]

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Nickel Plains Road

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Two Nickel Plate Road GP9s handle a local freight through the tabletop landscape near Madison, Ill., in 1958. EMD built 4,257 of the 1.750-h.p. model beginning in 1953. M.L. Powell, J. David Ingles collection […]

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CPKC Final Spike Steam Tour | Upper Midwest Chase

The chase is on! Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 is on an epic journey from Canada to the U.S. to Mexico – all to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the CPKC railroad! After the vintage locomotive steamed crossed the U.S. border, Trains.com staff members (Lucas Iverson, Bryson Sleppy, Sean Kirby, and others) were there to […]

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Archives center dedicated as part of C&NW Historical Society meeting, museum’s C&NW Days

Two green and yellow diesels meet

UNION, Ill. — Dedication of the Chicago & North Western Historical Society’s Archives Research Center at the Illinois Railway Museum highlighted the society’s 50th anniversary celebration during its three-day 2024 convention at Union and Crystal Lake, Ill. The research center joins the replica 1950s street scene on the museum’s Main Street, and replaces the society’s […]

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Riverside running

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A Chicago, Burlington & Quincy freight hugs the Mississippi River north of Davenport, Iowa, in 1966. Lead GP7 No. 204 lacks dynamic breaks, while trailing SD7 No. 313 is so equipped. R. Ball photo […]

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News photos: Restored N&W business car debuts

View of platform end of maroon passenger car

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. — The Norfolk & Western Business Car 300 Preservation Society unveiled the restored car on Saturday with an open house at repair and maintenance firm Professional Locomotive Services. Along with tours of the car — built in 1917 and modernized in 1955 — and displays of PLS equipment, visitors were treated to […]

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Metra launches rider survey to aid in long-term planning

CHICAGO — Metra has launched a rider survey to help shape its future scheduling and infrastructure plans to meet its goal of becoming a “regional rail” operation — one providing more service at all times rather than focusing on weekday commuter-rush trains. The commuter operator has already taken some steps to increase off-peak service, such […]

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