Big Skies & Iron Rails, Grain Trains

When the bounty of Heartland crops are harvested, much of the grain goes west. Destined for North American ports and then foreign shores, the first leg of that western trek is often aboard commodity cruisers, otherwise known as grain trains. Naturally, railfan/videographer Tom Danneman is poised to capture these heavy haulers in season, and as […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Grain Trains

When the bounty of Heartland crops are harvested, much of the grain goes west. Destined for North American ports and then foreign shores, the first leg of that western trek is often aboard commodity cruisers, otherwise known as grain trains. Naturally, railfan/videographer Tom Danneman is poised to capture these heavy haulers in season, and as […]

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‘Empire Builder’ disruptions triggered by snow, mechanical issues

Passenger train at station with snow on the ground.

CHICAGO — The Chicago-Seattle/Portland, Ore., Empire Builder is finally on the road to recovery after incurring significant challenges during the past week following a late October High Plains snowstorm and related issues. A series of delays throughout the week culminated in eastbound train No. 8 departing Seattle more than 5 hours late on Saturday, Oct. […]

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Southbound lanes of I-25 reopen in Colorado after derailment

Cars moving on highway past site of railroad overpass

PUEBLO, Colo. — Southbound lanes of Interstate 25 reopened this afternoon (Wednesday, Oct. 18) at the site of Sunday’s derailment and fatal bridge collapse involving a BNSF Railway coal train, the Colorado State Patrol reported on social media. Northbound lanes are expected to reopen Thursday Meanwhile, BNSF says the rail line at the site of […]

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Broken rail caused March BNSF derailment in Minnesota, NTSB says

Firefighters watching burning railcars

WASHINGTON — A broken rail caused the derailment and subsequent fire involving a BNSF Railway train in Raymond, Minn., according to a National Transportation Safety Board memo in the investigation docket of the March 30, 2023, incident released Monday. Twenty-three cars derailed in the incident, 10 of which were carrying ethanol; material was released from […]

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Eight projects seek federal funding for South Dakota rail infrastructure improvements

Overgrown rail line with tank car visible in distance

PIERRE, S.D. — Eight railroads and government agencies have made their pitches to the South Dakota Railroad Board for more than $58 million available in infrastructure project funding from the Federal Railroad Administration. KELO-TV reports that the board is administering $58.9 million in Special Transportation Circumstances grants, part of $139 million in funding announced earlier […]

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Three groups receive funds for exhibits about Bismarck bridge

Train coming off bridge on broad curve

  BISMARCK, N.D. — Three organizations have received a total of more than $250,000 to fund historical exhibits about the Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge, KFYR-TV reports. BNSF Railway is providing funding through the State Historical Society for the exhibits under an agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard. The North Dakota State Railroad Museum in Mandan will […]

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