CHICAGO – The Chicago area’s congressional delegation delivered for commuter rail agency Metra in 2022, helping secure $204.1 million in competitive federal grants for Metra projects – the most by far in Metra’s history. The amount includes the largest discretionary grant Metra ever received – $117 million for the next phase of the Union Pacific North […]
HONOLULU — Honolulu’s long-delayed, multi-billion dollar rail rapid transit project is expected to see its first riders this spring. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation will hand over a 10.8-mile route from East Kapolei station to the Halawa/Aloha Stadium station to the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services in March or April, […]
Snow-themed photo gallery Though the weather outside is frightful, these trains sure make it look delightful. This gallery of snow-covered trains and railroads are from all over the United States. Captured within the last decade or so, from winter storms to light dustings, these photos reveal the beauty of cold, winter days. While scrolling through […]
Winter affects locomotives Diesel locomotives have many components and systems that can be negatively affected during periods of cold and snow if not maintained properly. From tap water to electrical systems, these features need to be able to handle the often-harsh conditions to which locomotives are assigned. Locomotives have traditionally idled year-round, and in the […]
WASHINGTON — Replacement of Amtrak’s long-distance passenger cars has been included in forward-looking fleet plans for more than a decade, but the company announced Thursday it contacted carbuilders in December as “a first formal step” to re-equip the 14 overnight routes of the long-distance network. The request for expressions of interest “was sent to potential […]
LOMBARD, Ill. — BNSF Railway’s plans for a major new facility in Barstow, Calif., represent the continuing evolution of the railroad’s efforts to improve the intermodal supply chain, says CEO Katie Farmer. The railroad’s plans for the Barstow International Gateway, a $1.5 billion, 4,500-acre terminal in Southern California, builds on the development of earlier Logistics […]
Watco summary Watco (WATX) is a transportation and supply chain service company operating multiple short line and regional railroads throughout North America and Australia. It’s owned by Rick Webb, the son of founders Charles R. “Dick” Webb and Kaye Lynne, who also serves as the company’s Executive Chairman. Headquartered out of Pittsburg, Kansas, Watco owns […]
Montana Rail Link summary Montana Rail Link (MRL) is a Class II regional railroad that operates over 900 miles of standard-gauge track in Montana and Idaho. It’s owned by Washington Companies, a transportation and industrial conglomerate under businessman Dennis Washington. Headquartered out of Missoula, Mont., the railroad leases the former Northern Pacific Railroad’s main line […]
LOMBARD, Ill. — It is safe to say we have not heard the last from the Surface Transportation Board on Union Pacific’s use of embargoes to address congestion. That was made fairly obvious during a wide-ranging and engaging Q&A with STB Chairman Martin J. Oberman on Thursday’s second and concluding day of the Midwest Association […]
Tacoma Rail summary Tacoma Rail (TMBL) is a class III short line railroad which plays a significant role in the intermodal industry out of the Tacoma, Washington area. Officially known as the Tacoma Municipal Belt Line and often referred to as the Muni, it is owned by the city and operated by Tacoma Public Utilities. […]
Forty Mile Rail summary The Forty Mile Rail (FMR) is a shortline railroad that operates in southern Alberta. It’s locally owned by nearly 100 farmers, including Hutterite colonies, and other shareholders. Operations are contracted to the Central Canadian Railway, based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. As its name implies, the railroad owns 40 miles of former […]
Paducah and Louisville Railway summary The Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) is a Class II regional railroad that operates in Kentucky. It’s owned by P&L Transportation Incorporated, a holding firm in partnership with PAL officers and CSX Transportation. Headquartered out of Paducah, 280 miles of standard-gauge track from the former Illinois Central Railroad traverses east […]
