STB’s Oberman retires

Man standing in front of banner for Midwest Association of Rail Shippers

WASHINGTON — Martin J. Oberman retired from the Surface Transportation Board today (May 10), concluding more than five years on the board, three of those as chairman. President Joe Biden intends to designate current board member Robert Primus as the new STB chairman, the board said in a press release saluting Oberman’s service. The 79-year-old […]

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Five mind-blowing facts — Golden Spike Ceremony

On May 10, 1869, the first Transcontinental Railroad was completed during the Golden Spike Ceremony. Yes, every rail enthusiast and elementary school student has this date ingrained in their mind. The rail enthusiast probably remembers the date better than the elementary school student, but nonetheless, it is a significant date in U.S. history. However, for […]

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News photos: The Empress needs a raincoat

Steam engine and tugboat on Mississippi River

Canadian Pacific Railway Class H1-b Hudson No. 2816 continued its Final Spike Steam tour on Thursday,  May 9, operating over former Milwaukee Road trackage into Iowa following a display day in Franklin Park, Ill., on Wednesday. The 4-6-4 and the CPKC executive train rolled west across the former Milwaukee Road D&I (Dubuque and Illinois) Division […]

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BNSF bridge at Fort Madison, Iowa, reopens after barge strike

Train with orange locomotives rounds curve

FORT MADISON, Iowa — BNSF Railway’s bridge across the Mississippi River between Fort Madison and Niota, Ill., was briefly closed today after having been struck by a barge, but has been reopened, according to authorities. The Hancock County (Ill.) Sheriff’s Office reported the closure at about 1:40 p.m.; police in Fort Madison posted on Facebook […]

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