When Kalmbach Publishing Co. moved from Milwaukee to the western suburb of Waukesha in 1989, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy had a blank slate. The ink-stained concrete floor; large, drafty windows; and sun-faded scenery were in the past. “Our new layout room is a beautiful place, an open, rectangular space with a tile floor, drop […]
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Legislation would coordinate law enforcement response to cargo theft
WASHINGTON — Railroads and retailers are praising a bipartisan bill in Congress that aims to reduce cargo theft. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which was introduced yesterday, would create a coordinated federal response to a rising wave of sophisticated cargo thefts, many of which target consumer goods in containers carried on double-stack trains. “Organized […]
Utah mine shutdown halts Union Pacific export iron ore unit trains
The trade war between the U.S. and China has prompted a Utah iron ore mine to shut down, a move that at least temporarily ends Union Pacific unit train operations between Cedar City, Utah, and the Port of Long Beach, Calif. Utah Iron LLC announced on Wednesday that it would close the Cedar City mine […]
Budget passed by Ohio House would fund return to regional passenger rail group
COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a small sign of support for rail passenger service, Ohio legislators have included funding for the state to rejoin a regional rail group. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the state’s $61 billion, two-year budget passed by the state House of Representatives includes $25,000 in funding each year for the state to […]
BNSF completes replacement of washed-out Arkansas bridge, reopens lines
MAMMOTH SPRING, Ark. — BNSF has reopened its Thayer South Subdivision through Arkansas, just five days after a bridge washed out under a stopped train. A new bridge over the Warm Fork Spring River in Mammoth Spring State Park was completed on Thursday morning, April 10, after around-the-clock work. The opening came some 24 hours […]
Kentucky awards more than $3.6 million for rail infrastructure projects
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky is awarding more than $3.6 million in state grants under two programs to help fund rail infrastructure projects. The grants, announced Thursday, April 10, include more than $2 million under the Kentucky Industrial Access and Safety Improvements program, which provides 50% of funding for construction, improvement, or rehabilitation of rail lines, […]
Rapido Trains HO GE C30-7
The C30-7 is the latest addition to the lineup of General Electric diesel locomotives from Rapido Trains. The HO scale model, offered in eight paint schemes, has a five-pole motor with dual flywheels; a heavy, die-cast metal weight; and prototype-specific details. Prototype history General Electric produced the C30-7 from September 1976 to May 1985. During […]
SEPTA prepares for major service cuts
PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has become the latest transit agency to unveil plans for draconian service cuts because of a funding shortage. Five Regional Rail lines and 50 bus lines would be eliminated, rail service would end at 9 p.m., and 66 stations would be closed under the budget for fiscal 2026, […]
Driver of fire truck struck by Brightline train is fired
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The city of Delray Beach has dismissed the firefighter who was driving the fire truck struck by a Brightline train in December. City Manager Terrence Moore announced the firing of firefighter David Wyatt in a press release today (April 10), WPBF-TV reports. Moore said the incident “revealed a pattern of carelessness […]
Return of C&NW No. 1385 to Mid-Continent Railway Museum is set (updated)
NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — Dates in May have been set for the move returning Chicago & North Western 4-6-0 No. 1385 to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum. The locomotive, out of service for more than a quarter-century and away from the museum since 2013, is slated to be moved by truck from its current location in […]
Report: FRA should promote technology and safety innovation
WASHINGTON— The Federal Railroad Administration should promote track and equipment inspection technology innovation by overhauling its safety waiver review process, according to a think tank that focuses on infrastructure issues. The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure says the FRA’s safety waiver process has been bogged down by outdated rules and political interference. The group examined […]
STB asks CN, Amtrak for more information regarding contract dispute
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board is seeking more information in the long-running dispute between Canadian National Railway and Amtrak over a new operating agreement. In a decision issued on Tuesday (April 8), the board asked for information on 14 separate aspects of topics including scheduling and on-time performance; incentives and penalties; host-responsible delays; and […]
