The Bobber Caboose comes to Lionel with the 2022 Volume I catalog. Although new to the Orange & Blue, these models aren’t an entirely rare site on O gauge layouts since they were previously produced by MTH Electric Trains. Lionel purchased the tooling for these cars from MTH during the latter’s sell-off a few years […]
PORTLAND, Maine — The prospect of regular passenger service on a state-owned route between Brunswick and Rockland, Maine, received a big boost last week when Maine’s Department of Transportation budgeted $3 million to advance a two-year pilot project utilizing 1950s-era Budd Rail Diesel Cars. The Camden, Maine, Courier Herald originally reported the development. Northern New […]
Locomotives short lines like to use: Shortline railroads have long fascinated me. Perhaps it’s because I had a front-row seat to the startup of one in my hometown in December 1996. Maybe it’s because some are real underdog stories. Seeing a railroad turn a line or lines plagued by years of deferred maintenance into a […]
PORTER, Ind. — Work on the South Shore’s Double Track project remains on schedule, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District was told at its Monday board meeting, with a full resumption of revenue service likely in about 16 months. The Times of Northwest Indiana reports that NICTD President Michael Noland told the board that trains […]
The J.D. Irving Ltd. short lines in New Brunswick and Maine have added five more locomotives to their fleet of refurbished SD70M-2s. The first six units were delivered starting in June 2021 [see “Locomotive news: First New Brunswick Southern Railway locomotive refurbished,” Trains News Wire, July, 2021]. Four of the second group of locomotives are […]
Pioneer Valley Railroad Company summary The Pioneer Valley Railroad Company (PVRR) is a short line railroad that operates in western Massachusetts. It’s owned by the Pinsly Railroad Company, a family-owned holding firm that was established in 1938. About 16 miles of standard-gauge track connects industries, warehouses and transload facilities between Westfield and Holyoke. History Before […]
Pennsylvania Northeastern Railroad summary The Pennsylvania Northeastern Railroad (PN) is a Class III short line railroad that operates north of Philadelphia. With 100 miles of standard-gauge track, the railroad serves customers in Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery counties on what was known as the “Lansdale Cluster” of CSX Transportation. History The tracks of what is now […]
Gulf Coast Switching summary Gulf Coast Switching (GCS) is a Class III short line railroad that operates in the Houston, Texas area. It’s owned by Anacostia Rail Holdings, a privately held firm that manages multiple short lines throughout the United States. The railroad specializes in contract switching for the Union Pacific Railroad’s Robinson and Angleton […]
New York and Ogdensburg Railway summary The New York and Ogdensburg Railway (NYOG) is a short line railroad that operates in northern New York. Though the line is owned by the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, the railroad is an operating subsidiary to the Vermont Rail System, a privately held firm that is owned by […]
New York and Atlantic Railway summary The New York and Atlantic Railway (NYA) is a short line railroad that operates on New York’s Long Island. Though owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the freight operation is contracted out to Anacostia Rail Holdings Company. The NYA shares standard-gauge trackage rights with the Long Island Rail Road, […]
Mohawk Adirondack and Northern Railroad summary The Mohawk Adirondack and Northern Railroad (MHWA) is a short line railroad that operates in the Adirondack Region of New York. It’s owned by the Genesee Valley Transportation Company, a holding firm that manages four other shortline railroads in both New York and Pennsylvania. The MHWA operates a total […]
Yellowstone Valley Railroad summary The Yellowstone Valley Railroad (YSVR) is a short line railroad that operates in North Dakota and Montana. The line is owned by BNSF Railway and leased to Watco under an operating agreement. The shipment of crude oil is a principal commodity in freight traffic for the short line based out of […]
