Genesee & Wyoming switching subsidiary announces new contracts

Genesee & Wyoming logo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Genesee & Wyoming’s switching subsidiary, Rail Link, Inc., announced it has signed five new contracts since September with customers across the U.S. The agreements include handling of biofuels and liquid petroleum gases for a facility in Southern California; wood chips, chemicals, and containerboard for paper manufacturers in Savannah, Ga., and South Carolina; […]

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SMS Rail Lines 0-6-0 returns to steam, certified for operation (updated)

Steam locomotive operates with diesel switcher attached

WOODSTOWN, N.J. — SMS Rail Lines Alco 0-6-0 locomotive No. 9 has been certified for operation by the Federal Railroad Administration after a 14-year restoration at the SMS shops in Bridgeport, N.J. The locomotive was built for the U.S. Army in 1942, working first at Fort Dix, N.J., and at Fort Eustis, Va., as No. […]

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Pere Marquette No. 1225 debuts in 2023 for the North Pole Express (with video)

Steam locomotive rounding curve on a sunny day.

OWOSSO, Mich. — Pere Marquette steam locomotive No. 1225 made its public debut over the weekend by operating the North Pole Express excursions – organized by the 2-8-4’s owners, the Steam Railroading Institute (SRI) of Owosso. The Berkshire-type locomotive is fresh from an extensive rebuild of the driving wheels and running gear with test runs […]

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Soo Line No. 1003 steams through central Wisconsin for 110th year

Steam locomotive sits on display.

HARTFORD, Wis. — A weekend of operations for Soo Line steam locomotive No. 1003 stretched from its home in Hartford to as far as Fairwater, Wis., approximately 50 miles northwest. The Mikado-type 2-8-2 is in its 110th year, having been constructed in March 1913 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, N.Y. Making the most […]

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Regional Rail adds two Midwestern short lines to portfolio

Green and yellow locomotive with freight train on trestile

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. — Shortline holding company Regional Rail LLC is expanding its holdings, having agreed to acquire Indiana Eastern Railroad and the Ohio South Central Railroad, the company announced today (Friday, Nov. 10). Indiana Eastern is a 43-mile short line headquartered in Liberty, Ind., operating between Richmond, Ind., and Fernald, Ohio. It was established […]

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Cleveland-area short line introduces battery-electric locomotive

Green and yellow locomotive with six people standing in front.

CLEVELAND —Newburgh & South Shore Railroad, an OmniTRAX short line serving the Cleveland area, has introduced its first battery-electric locomotive, the first electric locomotive operated by an Ohio short line. The locomotive, an AMPS Traction G9, is intended to reduce fuel consumption by half and NOx emission and particulate matter by 77%. The locomotive was […]

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Pere Marquette No. 1225 returns to service after wheel and running gear rebuild

Steam locomotive running on a fall, cloudy day.

OWOSSO, Mich. — Pere Marquette steam locomotive No. 1225 completed a series of test runs and break-in trips in late October and early November, marking the locomotive’s first return to service since December 2021. The Berkshire-type 2-8-4 underwent a multiyear rebuild of the drivers and running gear in a partnership with Owosso’s Steam Railroading Institute […]

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N&W No. 611 completes fall excursions on the Buckingham Branch Railroad

Streamlined steam locomotive sitting at night.

ROANOKE, Va. — In its second homecoming for 2023, Norfolk & Western steam locomotive No. 611 tied down for the winter at Roanoke’s Virginia Museum of Transportation by around 11 p.m., on Nov. 7. This comes after a nearly 2-month stay at the Buckingham Branch Railroad as part of the Virginia Scenic Railway’s fall excursions. […]

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CN acquires stake in G&W’s Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway

Canadian National logo

Canadian National has acquired a stake in Genesee & Wyoming short line Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway, which operates the easternmost trackage in North America. Under the deal announced on Wednesday, CN will manage interline shipments for customers on the 145-mile CBNS. G&W will continue to operate the railroad, which connects with CN […]

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Flexible staybolt repair made on N&W No. 611 during the weekend

Streamlined steam locomotive arriving at historic train station.

GOSHEN, Va. — Norfolk & Western steam locomotive No. 611 was sidelined during the Saturday, Oct. 28, Shenandoah Valley Limited with diesels of the Buckingham Branch Railroad serving as substitutes for the round trips between Goshen and Staunton, Va. The J-class 4-8-4 returned to service the following day to wrap up the fourth weekend of […]

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Short line train derails in Oklahoma

Logo of the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, a Watco property

RAMONA, Okla. — At least 10 cars were reported to have derailed on Sunday in an incident involving a South Kansas & Oklahoma train near Ramona. KWON Radio reports the derailment occurred shortly after noon, according to the Ramona Volunteer Fire Department, and that officials with Washington County Emergency Management say that County Road 3500 […]

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Fort Lauderdale, county officials at odds over replacement for downtown rail drawbridge

Passenger train approaches bridge; message board on bridge alerts boaters bridge is down for approaching train

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The mayor of Fort Lauderdale and officials in Broward County are at odds over the best way to handle expanded rail operation by Brightline — and proposed future commuter rail service — across the New River in the middle of town. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports Mayor Dean Trantalis wants […]

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