Electro-Motive Division’s NW5

Photo of HO scale locomotive model in black, white, and gold paint

Electro-Motive Division’s NW5 history Electro-Motive Division’s NW5: Steam was still king when Electro-Motive Division (EMD) produced the NW5 diesel locomotive. However, railroads were taking note of the economy of performance offered by the various yard diesels entering the marketplace. This led railroads to approach EMD about the possibility of constructing low-cost diesels that could be […]

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South Dakota rail projects land federal funding

Logo of the South Dakota Department of Transportation

PIERRE, S.D. — Two rail projects in South Dakota will receive almost $2.4 million in funding under the federal Special Transportation Circumstances program, state Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt announced. The Ringneck & Western Railroad will receive up to $1.799 million for a project near Plankinton, S.D., while the Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad will […]

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Patriot Rail to acquire Louisiana’s Delta Southern Railroad

Logo of Delta Southern railroad

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Patriot Rail, which concluded its acquisition of Pioneer Lines earlier this month, will expand further through acquisition of Delta Southern Railroad, the companies announced Monday. Delta Southern operates more than 40 miles of track in two line segments about 60 miles apart in Monroe and Tallulah, La., serving two Mississippi River ports: […]

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New Strasburg GM packs experience, skills

Man standing in front of steam locomotive

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 […]

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News photos: A short South Shore special

Two orange and maroon locomotives and one passenger cars under shed at two-track station

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. […]

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Alco locomotives on NY shortline railroads

Blue-and-yellow cab unit locomotive next to a depot in a snowy scene.

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 […]

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Patriot Rail completes acquisition of Pioneer Lines

Map of U.S. showing location of Patriot Rail short lines

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 […]

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