JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Patriot Rail has added another short line to its stable. The short line holding company on Jan. 9 closed on its acquisition of the Delta Southern Railroad, which operates two line segments that are roughly 60 miles apart in Monroe and Tallulah, Louisiana. DSRR operates over 40 miles of track between the […]
Type of Train: Short line regionals
Montana Rail Link says union local can’t upend agreement BLET approved as part of BNSF lease deal
WASHINGTON – Montana Rail Link engineers can’t have their cake and eat it too, the railroad has told federal regulators. Last week the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division 232, which represents 250 MRL employees in eastern Montana, asked the Surface Transportation Board to continue their benefits at MRL levels if it approves the […]
Genesee & Wyoming’s Miller says data supports use of one-person crews
BOCA RATON, Fla. — To a degree, the debate over one- or two-person crews is academic for Michael Miller, the president of Genesee & Wyoming’s North American operations. “We don’t have many operations where we would have one-man crews,” Miller said today (Thursday, Jan. 5) during the “fireside chat” closing the first day’s general session […]
Some Montana Rail Link engineers question contract with BNSF Railway (corrected)
WASHINGTON — Some Montana Rail Link engineers have raised concerns about a loss or reduction of a range of benefits if regulators approve the early termination of the regional’s lease with BNSF Railway. BNSF has reached agreements with all nine unions that represent MRL employees as part of its plan to resume control of the […]
Sisseton Milbank Railroad seeking federal grants to rebuild line
SISSETON, S.D. — The Sisseton Milbank Railroad, owned by Twin Cities & Western Railroad, is seeking $24.7 million in grant funds to rebuild the railroad, the Watertown (S.D.) Public Opinion reported. The former Milwaukee Road branch line was built in 1893 and still has 75-pound rail. The railroad can’t handle 286,000 pound cars and […]
Five common shortline diesel locomotives in North America
Five common shortline diesel locomotives in North America: When it comes to short lines and regional railroads, differences abound. Their location, size and overall operation makes each stand out from one another. It’s usually true with motive power too, but railroads can and do populate their rosters with common locomotives that have proved their worth […]
Bob Cochran’s Vermont Rail System in HO scale
Trains.com Video features layout owner Bob Cochran and his 22’-10” x 25’-7” HO scale (1:87) Vermont Rail System inspired by Rutland Railroad’s Bellow Falls Subdivision. Bob grew up watching trains of Central Vermont and Boston & Maine across from his childhood home in Bellow Fall, Vt., so you’ll be sure to see plenty of Northeastern […]
Bob Cochran’s Vermont Rail System in HO scale
Trains.com Video features layout owner Bob Cochran and his 22’-10” x 25’-7” HO scale (1:87) Vermont Rail System inspired by Rutland Railroad’s Bellow Falls Subdivision. Bob grew up watching trains of Central Vermont and Boston & Maine across from his childhood home in Bellow Fall, Vt., so you’ll be sure to see plenty of Northeastern […]
Rotary snowplow clears Cumbres Pass
Of all the forces that can bring trains to a halt, snow has to be one of the fiercest elements that Mother Nature can throw at a railroad. Keeping the tracks clear is a never-ending battle in the winter months. Depending on the severity, plows and flangers can do a good job winning the battle. […]
Operation Sergeant Santa
The Military Railroad Society, a 501 C3 not for profit organization, returns to provide military families, both current and retired, with an affordable train option for the holidays. The Fort Eustis (Virgnia) Railroad hosted the 2022 operation aboard its train set consisting of holiday-themed cars lead by United States Army (rebuilt) GP9u no. 4624. […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 4 | Cutting curves and building backdrops
David has cleared the deck and marked his track configuration on the plywood, so he’s ready to cut things to pieces! No fears! In this video, he’ll show you how to make accurate measurements, so you can make equally precise cuts. Once those cut parts are assembled, David also shares how to install the styrene […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 4 | Cutting curves and building backdrops
David has cleared the deck and marked his track configuration on the plywood, so he’s ready to cut things to pieces! No fears! In this video, he’ll show you how to make accurate measurements, so you can make equally precise cuts. Once those cut parts are assembled, David also shares how to install the styrene […]