PITTSBURGH — Service on the big four U.S. Class I railroads is improving slowly but remains uneven amid ongoing and sporadic crew shortages, shippers said this week at the North East Association of Rail Shippers conference. One thing that’s helped improve service is the resumption of hump operations at several yards over the past few […]
STRASBURG, Pa. – Jim Hager brings a host of skills and experience to his new job as general manager of the 190-year-old Strasburg Rail Road, America’s oldest short line and now one of the country’s busiest and longest-running steam tourist railroads. A New Jersey native, he started hanging around the Black River & Western, another […]
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A South Shore Line special train — the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s two GP38-2 rebuilds and one car, the former Milwaukee Road business car Montana — awaits departure from the South Shore station at South Bend International Airport on Thursday, Sept. 22. The train was scheduled for a 4:15 p.m. […]
Alco locomotives on NY shortline railroads Alco locomotives on NY shortline railroads: A drive along twisting mountain byways through freshly fallen snow, ears straining for the slightest hint of the groan from the horn atop an ALCO RS-3, camera at the ready for the first sign of a brightly colored locomotive is how my trip […]
PITTSBURGH — Railroads need to collaborate and take a long-term view if they are to make the most of their traffic growth opportunities, Michael Miller, president of Genesee & Wyoming’s North American operations, told a shipper conference on Wednesday. “We as an industry have always looked at it as ‘What’s in it for me? What’s […]
LAKEVILLE, N.Y. — The Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad Corp. has completed acquisition of a controlling interest in the Ontario Midland Railroad Corp., operator of 52 miles of track in New York’s Wayne and Monroe counties. The LA&L now owns 55% of Ontario Midland stock, giving it ownership or control of four railroads, the others […]
ALAMOSA, Colo. — Denver-based short line operator OmniTRAX has signed an agreement in principle to purchase the bankrupt San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad, Colorado’s Valley Courier newspaper reports. Bankruptcy trustee William Brandt told the newspaper that a letter of intent has been signed but negotiations are continuing to purchase the former Iowa Pacific Holdings […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Patriot Rail Co. has completed its acquisition of Denver-based Pioneer Lines, nearly doubling the company’s short line operations. The transaction closed Wednesday following regulatory approval, Patriot said. It will expand the company from 16 to 31 railroads, with operations in 23 states. “We are pleased to bring Pioneer Lines railroads into Patriot […]
NORTH BAY, Ontario — Ontario Northland Railway unveiled its “Every Child Matters” locomotive, GP38-2 No. 1808, on Monday, Sept. 12, at its North Bay shop facility, in a ceremony attended by local First Nations representatives and government officials. The “Every Child Matters” initiative is part of Canada’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, also known […]
WASHINGTON — The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association has joined the growing list of groups calling for Congress to intervene in the Class I rail labor dispute. Meanwhile, the Fertilizer Institute, which already had asked Congress to intervene, renewed its call after railroads announced they would begin embargoing hazardous or security-sensitive material, which […]
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont Rail System, operator of five railroads in Vermont and New York, is rolling out freshly painted locomotives in its new image. But you will need to look closely to notice the minor change being introduced as the company paints power for the first time in a decade. The repaints will carry the […]
UNION, Ill. — The Electro-Motive Division of General Motors built just two RS1325 locomotives. Both have now been saved. Genesee & Wyoming Inc., the worldwide shortline and rail services company, is donating former Chicago & Illinois Midland RS1325 No. 30 to the Illinois Railway Museum. The IRM board approved the donation Saturday night and transportation […]
