October 01, 2009
Welcome to Trackside, The Newsletter, a monthly piece covering the railroad industry. I had thought long and hard about creating a newsletter to go along with the website since American Rails first began but I could never decide what exactly to include in it. After much consideration, though, I finally decided that perhaps the best approach was to fill the newsletter with, well, news! More specifically, however, current news and events which will be broken down into categories keeping you up-to-date on the latest on-goings around the country.
Now in every issue Trackside features a "Photo of the Month" and just as a general note these photos used are the property of individual photographers and as such should not be redistributed or used without their permission. In any event, I hope you like the new layout!
In this month's photo taken by Wade Massie we see the Maryland Midland Railway's GP9 #202 toting a single hopper car near Ladiesburg, Maryland on July 2, 1991 along what was originally the PRR's Frederick Branch.
D.C.-Greenbrier luxury train possibility being explored
For those who are not aware, the below story is big, at least in regards to railroad history, concerning the Milwaukee Road's former Lines West transcontinental main line (for more information about it please visit the Milwaukee Road page on the website). Royal City, Washington is located just west of Othello, and east of Beverly, along the former main line of the Milwaukee and I believe it was one of the few stretches, for whatever reason, where the tracks were not removed after the railroad discontinued operations in February of 1980.
Trains obviously haven't traveled there regularly in nearly 30 years so this will be something if it all pans out, let's keep our fingers crossed. Also of note, if it does reopen the line will be only one of two small segments of Lines West in operation, the other being the St. Maries Railroad near St. Maries, Idaho. However, I think the Royal City operation will be the longest stretch at 26 miles.
Port of Royal Slope (Washington) Hears Money-Making Idea
NS takes wraps off electric locomotive, KCSM takes delivery of 'Repower' units
STB completes environmental review of Alaska Railroad's northern extension
Wisconsin doles out $30.5 million for 10 freight-rail projects
Connecticut Seeks Federal Grants To Renovate Freight Rail System
Rell: Connecticut seeking $15.5M for Valley Railroad Project
State of Wisconsin awards $12 million for restoring railroad
Grant to build railroad spur will roll jobs into Horn Lake (Tennessee)
KCS, KCSM continue to pursue international bridge, double-track line
FRA provides more than $14 million for seven freight-rail projects
Maine DOT seeks TIGER grants for three rail projects
Railroad Indicator: On Track for Recovery
Grant to build railroad spur will roll jobs into Horn Lake, MS
CSX prepares for a railroad rebound
Louisiana, Maine to craft long-range rail strategies
New York reaches initial agreement on Amtrak station, provides funds for short-line projects
Watco seeks STB approval to launch fourth short line in Idaho
Opening of P&N Railroad delayed to December
Railroad funding secured for Arcade & Attica Railroad
Obama undermines airline security and railroad safety: 9/11 lessons ignored
County says 'No' to railroad rehab project
Tracking Change On Grafton & Upton Railroad
Railroad owner promises to be a good neighbor
New half-mile railroad bridge replaces historic Boone trestle
Alaska Railroad plans significant layoffs
Iowa Interstate expands locomotive fleet, tests bio-diesel blends
Railroad company considers Clanton (Alabama)
Henderson, Texas Board Selects Spur Short-Line Operator
Virginia to gain additional Amtrak service along the Northeast Corridor
Massachusetts finalizes deal to buy railroad tracks
Milwaukee to Chicago in 36 minutes? French railroad says "oui"
Empire Builder trains to add stop in Washington tourist town
NJ Transit's board advances light-rail extension, awards transit center contract
Senate Votes to Allow Guns on Amtrak
Amtrak back on board with plans to move NY gateway
FRA grants $28 million for Pittsburgh maglev effort
NS: Shared freight/passenger route costs Virginia less
Race Is On to Grab Stake in Rail Effort
NCDOT applies for $92.6M in federal railroad funds
Streetcars, trolleys once ruled the streets of Salt Lake City
Jon K. Broadbooks: History shows that rail decisions will be momentous
Chemical producer to build tank-car equipping/repair facility in Indiana
Arlington, Washington calls on volunteer help to promote downtown projects
Station Break celebrates 35 years
Filming to begin on lost railroad tunnel documentary
Signs mark Lincoln's time in Piatt County
Civil War-era railroad remains found in Key West
How the Railroads Took Control of Time
First railroad in Syracuse commemoration
When Vanderbilt Did Not Get His Way
Couple rest cabooses in converted train station
Pettem: Niwot (Colorado) echoes its past as a railroad town
Lionel's new model celebrates LIRR's 175th anniversary
Hyde Park, NY Railroad Station Rich In History
Historical marker commemorates Marion’s train depot
Art center replacing old depot
Grand Junction, CO Depot derailed: 103-year-old structure falls into foreclosure
Ashland, Nebraska Depot Demolished
Caboose owner feels railroaded
All aboard! Union Pacific Depot turns 100
Enthusiasts hope to save old Ind. railroad tower
Pine River, Minnesota Depot dedicated at Heritage Days celebration
Railroad relic is man's passion
Blaine, Washington residents rally to try to save train station
Many aboard for depot, caboose dedication
Trestle makeover (Alamogordo, New Mexico)
‘Pardon me boys,’ is that an historic train depot?
Railroad takeover planned (Clinton, Michigan)
Restored King Street Station clock unveiled
Aiken (South Carolina) Depot's first phase nears completion
Railroad remains obstacle for trail project
Saving Detroit's Central Depot
Corinth, NY gets $1M to improve railroad
The Strasburg Rail Road is one of Lancaster’s most popular tourist attractions
Tracking a Lumber Town's History
Please Note!: Next month there will be an additional category added covering railroad station/depot news. Since I come across so much of it now I thought it would be a good idea to cover depots and stations as a separate section.
As Trackside moves forward I will look to include more topics and information within it. In any event, if you have any opinions, ideas, and/or general comments/suggestions for the newsletter please feel free to pass them my way. As with American-Rails.com I am always looking for ways to improve the newsletter to better benefit you, the reader.
Best regards,
Adam Burns
P.S. As always, we are always looking for new members at the forums so if you have any interest in joining in we would be very happy to have you!