New study makes case for Peoria-Chicago passenger service

Short passenger train with red and yellow E-unit diesel passes small station

PEORIA, Ill. — Officials from Peoria and nearby communities have announced results of a feasibility study for a Chicago-Peoria passenger rail corridor over former Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific tracks that last saw passenger trains in 1978. The clear intent of last week’s announcement is to compete for $1.8 billion in the Federal Railroad Administration’s […]

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Ontario Northland train visits southern Ontario for TV production

Blue and yellow passenger equipment on bridge

An Ontario Northland Railway passenger train is working its way back to Cochrane, Ontario, after several days use in filming of the Hulu TV series “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which has been shooting at locations around Southern Ontario. Filming occurred on GIO Rail’s Trillium Railway July 20-23, with the train initially parked at the Ceres Global […]

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BLET signs new deal with Illinois & Midland

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has ratified a new agreement with the Illinois & Midland Railroad, a Genesee & Wyoming short line in central Illinois. The BLET said the agreement includes general wage increases of 29% over the five-year life of the contract, which runs through 20206, as well as […]

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Yosemite Valley train at El Portal

Yosemite Valley Railway at Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Valley Railway 4-4-0 No. 22 stands with a short train at El Portal, end of the line and gateway to Yosemite National Park, in 1940. YV ran 78 miles west to SP and Santa Fe connections at Merced, Calif.; its last run was in 1945. Harre W. Demoro photo […]

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Alberta pension fund to acquire Cando Rail & Terminals

Logo of Cando Rail & Terminal

BRANDON, Manitoba – Alberta’s provincial pension fund will acquire Cando Rail & Terminals from a Canadian private equity firm. Cando, which operates more than 40 industrial switching facilities, nine owned terminals, and one short line, experienced rapid growth while under the control of TorQuest Partners. The deal, announced today (July 20), is the latest in […]

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Canadian government announces funding for Saskatchewan rail projects

Transport Canada logo

REGINA, Saskatchewan — The Canadian government will provide $18.3 million for four rail infrastructure projects in Regina and southern Saskatchewan, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced Thursday. Projects and funding planned include: — C$13.5 million for a grade stabilization project on the Canadian Pacific interchange near Eston, Sask.; Last Mountain Railway, an 85-mile short line between Regina […]

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Virginia short line railroad expands into tourist railroading

Logo of the Buckingham Branch Railroad

STAUNTON, Va. — Virginians will soon enjoy a regularly scheduled tourist train. The commonwealth’s Buckingham Branch Railroad, a 275-mile short line freight railroad, has expanded into tourist railroading with the launch of its Virginia Scenic Railway. Diesel-powered climate-controlled passenger trains will join local freight, overhead CSX Transportation trains, and Amtrak’s triweekly Cardinal on the scenic […]

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New owner for industrial park, short line near Houston

Map of Houston area showing location of Gulf Inland Logistics Park

DAYTON, Texas — Liberty Development Partners has purchased a 1,158-acre industrial park near Houston, as well as the railroad that serves the facility. Liberty says it plans to turn the Gulf Inland Logistics Park into a manufacturing, distribution, and storage hub. The purchase includes the CMC Railroad, a Class III short line which has been […]

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