RICHLAND, Wash. — The Port of Benton has hired Washington short line operator Columbia Rail to operate the 16-mile railroad at the industrial facilities on land that once hosted the Manhattan Project nuclear weapon program. The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business reports that the port commission has approved a 24-month agreement under which Columbia Rail […]
Type of Train: Short line regionals
Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 7 | Ambient sounds for Sand Creek
David works to put all the right sounds in all the right places on his Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. His secret to installing the proper audio effects lies in the PRICOM Dream Player modules and the wide array of sounds samples that fit on a tiny micro-SD card. Follow along to learn David’s pro […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 7 | Ambient sounds for Sand Creek
David works to put all the right sounds in all the right places on his Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. His secret to installing the proper audio effects lies in the PRICOM Dream Player modules and the wide array of sounds samples that fit on a tiny micro-SD card. Follow along to learn David’s pro […]
A brief encounter with Argent Lumber
If you’re driving on Main Street through Hardeeville, S.C., it’s easy to miss the little steam locomotive tucked away in a small open shelter alongside the city’s library. As engines go, it doesn’t get much smaller than Argent Lumber Co. narrow-gauge 2-8-0 No. 7. I found the engine, though, during a brief stop last […]
New larger, faster ferries boost CG Railway volume
CG Railway’s traffic grew 53% last year thanks to the increased capacity of its new rail ferries, the company said this week. The short line, a joint venture of Genesee & Wyoming and SEACOR Holdings, floats freight cars across the Gulf of Mexico. The route links the ports of Mobile, Ala., and Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz, […]
Washed-out bridge on Southern California short line could cost $1.5 million to replace
FILLMORE, Calif. — Replacement of a bridge on a rail line operated by Sierra Northern that washed out in this month’s heavy rains may cost $1.5 million, the Ventura County Star reports. About a quarter of the 450-foot bridge was washed away on Jan. 10, apparently by debris that damaged then knocked out the concrete […]
Five US short line and regional railroads with Class I capabilities
These five US short line and regional railroads with Class I capabilities may not have the impressive track mileage and revenues compared with the country’s massive Class I railroads. What these standouts lack in quantity make up in quality with both infrastructure and operational practices that sets them apart from the other small freight railroads. […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Let it Snow
Go ahead. Let it snow. That certainly won’t stop hard-charging, modern freight trains from rolling throughout the majestic backdrop of the Mountain West region. Nor will a few flakes or even a few feet of snow keep railfan Tom Danneman and his cohorts from making their way trackside to capture dramatic, wintertime action. And for […]
Steam in the snow
There’s just something special about witnessing steam trains working through winter weather. Watching as huge clouds of hot exhaust condense into steam in the cold air. Come with us for a quick trip across the United States, as we look back on some of our favorite Steam in the Snow moments. If you want to […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Let it Snow
Go ahead. Let it snow. That certainly won’t stop hard-charging, modern freight trains from rolling throughout the majestic backdrop of the Mountain West region. Nor will a few flakes or even a few feet of snow keep railfan Tom Danneman and his cohorts from making their way trackside to capture dramatic, wintertime action. And for […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Let it Snow
Go ahead. Let it snow. That certainly won’t stop hard-charging, modern freight trains from rolling throughout the majestic backdrop of the Mountain West region. Nor will a few flakes or even a few feet of snow keep railfan Tom Danneman and his cohorts from making their way trackside to capture dramatic, wintertime action. And for […]
Reading & Northern sets freight, passenger records
PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Reading & Northern Railroad announced it set new records in 2022 for freight traffic and excursion passenger ridership. Revenue freight traffic rose over 4,000 carloads and the railroad carried over 250,000 passengers on its excursion trains. Reading & Northern, Pennsylvania’s largest privately-owned railroad, said the freight traffic increase was driven by […]