Friday morning rail news:
NRE consolidating operations to two sites
NRE, which sells and leases new and remanufactured locomotives and components, and provides overhaul and maintenance services, will consolidate operations to its headquarters location in Mt. Vernon, Ill, as well as its shops in Paducah, Ky. Operations at Dixmoor, Ill., Silvis, Ill, and Milwaukee will relocate to those locations, and the company’s Hagerstown, Md., operation will move to a new facility adjacent to the Paducah shop to provide services including manufacture and rebuilding of diesel power assemblies. Pat Frangella, executive committee leader, said in a press release that the plan “will significantly streamline our operations, while maintaining all of our service offerings for our customers around the globe.”
Denton, Texas, agency projects 41% decrease in rail ridership
The Denton County Transportation Authority is projecting a 41% decrease in A-Train commuter rail ridership in fiscal 2021, along with a 53% decrease in bus ridership, and therefore is budgeting for a 27% decrease in operating revenue, from $5.2 million to $3.8 million, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Denton Record Chronicle reports the agency expects operating expenses to decrease by nearly $1 million, while non-operating revenue is expected to increase because of increases in sales tax revenue and federal grants. The authority’s board will vote on the budget at its September meeting.
Group attempts to raise funds to save Milwaukee Road depot in Iowa
A group in Charles City, Iowa, is attempting to save a former Milwaukee Road depot scheduled for demolition, and has raised about $100,000 of the $300,000 needed to relocate the structure. KCHA Radio reports that city administrator Steve Diers says the building remains in good condition, and if relocated, could be used as part of a proposed rail museum, or as a building anchoring the community’s bike trails. “There’s going to be a big push to try to save that building,” Diers said.
