Gulf & Atlantic buys three Midwestern short lines

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Gulf & Atlantic Railways will acquire three railroads operating in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio — the Chesapeake & Indiana, Vermilion Valley and Camp Chase — from Midwest & Bluegrass rail, the company announced Monday. The railroads involved are: — The Chesapeake & Indiana (CKIN), a 28-mile line in northwest Indiana, with connections […]

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Conrail diesel locomotive graduates

Color roster photo of red, silver, and blue diesel locomotive.

Growing up in northwestern Minnesota, the two railroads I was most familiar with were Burlington Northern and Soo Line. Sure, I would see Conrail freight cars now and then. Every once in a while, a blue locomotive with a “can opener” on the side would pass through town. But as I was going through my […]

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Matt Walsh to become chairman of ASLRRA board

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association logo

WASHINGTON — Matt Walsh will become board chairman of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, the organization announced Thursday, filling the position vacated by the departure of Stefan Loeb. Loeb, who had been executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Watco, has accepted a position with Norfolk Southern [see “Norfolk Southern names […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Branch Lines and Locals

Branch line and local trains deliver goods to big and small towns everywhere. These routes are important arteries in the nation’s economic lifeline, especially to remote areas. While we use the term “last mile”, sometimes a local will traverse many miles to get cargo from main line railroad distribution yards to Main Street, USA. Take […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Branch Lines and Locals

Branch line and local trains deliver goods to big and small towns everywhere. These routes are important arteries in the nation’s economic lifeline, especially to remote areas. While we use the term “last mile”, sometimes a local will traverse many miles to get cargo from main line railroad distribution yards to Main Street, USA. Take […]

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South Dakota governor signs bill to fund rehabilitation of short line

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

PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has signed a bill authorizing $6.25 million in state funding for the rehabilitation of the Sisseton-Milbank Railroad, a 37-mile short line with a badly deteriorated right-of-way needed to move agricultural products. KXLG Radio reports Noem signed Senate Bill 16 earlier this week. The appropriation from the state’s […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Branch Lines and Locals

Branch line and local trains deliver goods to big and small towns everywhere. These routes are important arteries in the nation’s economic lifeline, especially to remote areas. While we use the term “last mile”, sometimes a local will traverse many miles to get cargo from main line railroad distribution yards to Main Street, USA. Take […]

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Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad Heisler No. 3

In October of 2022, restored former Craig Mountain Lumber Co. 2-truck Heisler steam locomotive No. 3 began operation along the rails of the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Since its 1917 origins, No. 3 has journeyed from lumber hauls in Idaho to sites in Wisconsin to Arizona to Oregon. Now at home on the OCSR, No. […]

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Genesee Valley Transportation prepares for move of PA

Men shaking hands in front of blue and white diesel locomotive

BATAVIA, N.Y. — The move of a preserved Alco PA locomotive from Oregon to its new home at Genesee Valley Transportation’s shops in Scranton, Pa., is tentatively slated to begin in April, although exact plans have yet to be finalized, GVT President Michael D. Thomas says. Thomas, speaking Sunday with Trains News Wire, said no […]

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Reading & Northern names first VP for governmental affairs, EVP for strategic planning (updated)

Reading and Northern logo

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Matt Johnson has been appointed to Reading & Northern’s new position of vice president-governmental affairs, the railroad has announced. Also, Christina (Tina) Muller-Levan has been appointed executive vice president-strategic planning. Johnson has been with the railroad since 2005 in roles ranging from police officer to head of the R&N police force […]

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Reading & Northern makes marketing changes

Reading and Northern logo

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Reading & Northern has announced two changes in its marketing department, promoting James Raffa to senior vice president-petrochemicals and minerals, and naming Rian Nemeroff senior vice president-consumer products. Raffa, who rejoined R&N two years ago, was instrumental in developing a Marcellus Shale transload terminal in Tunkhannock, Pa. The railroad handled more […]

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