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About Us The Short Line is owned by Pioneer Railroad Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pioneer Railcorp and a proud member of ASLRRA. In publication for over forty years, The Short Line reports on the news and happenings in the railroad industry.

We specialize in reporting on shortline railroads, industrial railroads and tourist railroads.

In each issue of The Short Line, you will find news and current events affecting over 650 U.S. short line and industrial railroads. The standard features of our publication are:

• TSL’s “Box Score” showing short line “wins” and “losses”

• TSL’s Short Line Report - the publication’s feature article

•

TSL’s News Items - “Latest Short Line News Items”. This section includes news items about short line and industrial railroads and tourist railroads around the U.S. Accompanying the news items may be photos, maps and locomotive rosters.

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ASLRRA 2015

The Short Line #228 - 3

WINS &

LOSSES

WINS Editor/Publisher: Pioneer Railroad Services, Inc., a Pioneer Railcorp company Managing Editor: Meghan Peterson Contributors: Larry Byers, Mark Comstock, Roger A. Holmes, Michael Johns, Michael Murray, Chad Tyk, and William T. Morgan Printed by: Wayne/Wagoner Printing Company Office of Publication: The Short Line 1318 S. Johanson Road Peoria, IL 61607 Send News and Items for Publication to: The Short Line Meghan Peterson, Editor 1318 S. Johanson Rd. Peoria, IL 61607-1130 Email: mpeterson@pioneer-railcorp.com Telephone: (309) 697-1400 Fax: (309) 697-1677 Published Bi-Monthly (U.S., Mexico) - $19.95 (Canada) - $20.95 Air Mail (Europe) - $25.95 Air Mail (Far East, Pacific Areas) - $27.95 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Short Line Circulation Department 1318 S. Johanson Rd. Peoria, IL 61607-1130

2014© Pioneer Railroad Services, Inc. Printed in the USA All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, by any means, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the Publisher. News items only, may be reproduced in other publications with a statement of credit to The Short Line.

Vol. 38, No. 5 [TSL #228] COVER PHOTOGRAPH: BREEDS, IL - The Keokuk Junction Railway Co. Santa Train crosses a bridge near Breeds, Illinois.

Photograph by Roger A. Holmes

ALABAMA SOUTHERN RAILROAD LLC COLUMBUS, MS - Alabama Southern Railroad LLC has filed with the Surface Transportation Board to continue leasing 85.6 miles of track from Kansas City Southern Railway Co. The lease has been extended until November 30, 2024, and has minor adjustments. Watco Cos. formed the Alabama Southern in November 2005 after leasing the lines from KCSR. ARKANSAS DIVISION OF PINSLY RAILROAD MALVERN, AR - Genesee & Wyoming has announced the acquisition of the Arkansas Division of Pinsly Railroad Company for approximately $40 million. The acquisition totals 137 miles of line, representing the seven non-contiguous lines of the Arkansas Midland Railroad, which includes the Prescott & Northwestern Railroad, the Warren & Saline River Railroad, and the two Arkansas transload operations of Pinsly’s Railroad Distribution Services subsidiary.

WISCONSIN & SOUTHERN RAILROAD WISCONSIN - Wisconsin & Southern Railroad has filed with the Surface Transportation Board to acquire outright approximately 70 miles of line that it already operating. The line segments includes the Reedsburg Line, the Central Soya Industrial Lead, and the Cottage Grove Industrial Lead, all in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin & Southern also filed with the Surface Transportation Board to acquire, from the City of Fitchburg, Wisconsin and the Village of Oregon, Wisconsin, approximately 15 miles of line between Evansville and Madison, Wisconsin. In their filing, the WSOR

notes that there has been no traffic on this line since 1997.

Information from ASLRRA

LOSSES

MISSOURI CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY and CENTRAL MIDLAND RAILWAY COMPANY PLEASANT HILL, MO Missouri Central Railroad Company (MCRR) and Central Midland Railway Company (CMR) have jointly filed with the Surface Transportation Board for Missouri Central to abandon and for Central Midland to discontinue service over 144.3 miles of rail line in two segments. Segment 1 is between mileposts 263.5 and 262.906 near Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Segment 2 is between milepost 215.325 and milepost 71.6 near Windsor, Missouri. There has been no traffic over the lines for as least two years.

Information from Michael Murray

CLASSIFIEDS Wanted, railroad switch keys, 662-209-1549

CALL TO ACTION Thousands of railcars including both new and historic fallen flags have been vandalized with graffiti over the past decade. Help stop this crime.

Report any suspicious trespassing to the railroad or local police.

NS (800)453-2530 CSX (800)232-0144 UP (888)877-7267 BNSF (800)832-5452 CN (800)465-9239 CP (800)716-9132 KCS (877)527-9464

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Trade, Sell and Buy Railroadiana and any Railroad related item

Advertising is $4.95 for 30 words (20 cents per word after 30 words.) To advertise in the next issue please send all classified ads to: THE SHORT LINE 1318 S. Johanson Rd. Peoria, IL 61607 For more information CALL or EMAIL: Meghan Peterson at (309) 697-1400 or mpeterson@pioneer-railcorp.com All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher.

Rail News

The Short Line #228 - 4

KEOKUK JUNCTION RAILWAY SANTA Photography TRAIN

by Roger A. Holmes PEORIA, IL - Pioneer Railcorp’s wholly-owned subsidiary Keokuk Junction Railway Co.’s Santa Train helped usher in the 2014 Holiday Season. Held on Saturday, December 6, Keokuk Junction Railway Co. operated their seventh annual Santa Train, and there was an overwhelming response with 1,100 adults and children in attendance.

The KJRY Santa Train consisted of classic A-B-A multiple unit configuration of F9A #1750, F9B #1761, F9A #1752, with caboose PREX #3. Keokuk Junction Railway mechanical forces recently had completed the restoration of the EMD Class F9B passenger locomotive that is about 60 years old. The B-unit was semi-permanently coupled between the railroad’s two restored Class F9As. The KJRY Santa Train made six stops in six communities, which

ABOVE: The 2014 Keokuk Junction Railway Santa Train has arrived in Mapleton, Illinois.

included Mapleton, Glasford, Breeds, Canton, Cuba and Smithfield. Children received gift bags after visiting Santa, and in addition to railroad safety information, other donations to the

children’s gift bags were provided by: Keokuk Junction Railway Co., Wells Fargo, Peoria Chiefs, Design Ideas and the Village of Smithfield. A special article continued on page 5

LEFT: The 2014 Keokuk Junction Railway Santa Train arrives in Glasford, Illinois on December 6, 2014.

RIGHT: Record numbers lined up to visit Santa aboard his caboose in Glasford, Illinois. Volunteer Frank May helps those waiting aboard the caboose.

Rail News

The Short Line #228 - 5

ABOVE: Jason Holmes who is almost five months old (grandson of Roger and son of Tim and Tina) sits with Santa.

TOP: 310 people wait at the Canton, Illinois KJRY Santa Train stop.

BOTTOM: Santa waves to people at Cuba, Illinois.

article continued from page 4

Photograph by Meghan Peterson

thank you to all the sponsors of the Santa Train.

“What a great bunch of children and also adults that turned out along the line just shows you the old gentleman has not lost his touch when it comes to the Christmas Season,” said Santa.

“It shows what can be accomplished when people care about people.”

Keokuk Junction Railway Co. Director Orvel Cox, and Betty Cox, made special arrangements for Santa Claus to join Keokuk Junction Railway Co. employees and those of other Pioneer Lines who all volunteered their time. The train made six stops along the railroad line to visit children and confirm their Christmas lists. This was an effort to give back to the communities, which Keokuk Junction Railway Co. serves.

“The holiday spirit was in the air as Santa arrived in his holiday caboose,” said Meghan Peterson, event coordinator.

“Keokuk Junction Railway Co. and Pioneer Lines are happy to give back to some of the communities we serve this season.”

About Pioneer Railcorp and Keokuk Junction Railway Co. Keokuk Junction Railway Co. is a subsidiary of Pioneer Railcorp. KJRY serves the shipping needs of communities between Bartonville, Illinois and Keokuk, Iowa. Pioneer Railcorp is a shortline railroad holding company with 25 railroad operations in 13 states with over 600 miles of track.

For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.pioneer-railcorp.com.

ABOVE: Children look out a window of Santa’s caboose at Canton, Illinois.

Eastern News

The Short Line #228 - 6

EASTERN

NEWS

AMERICAN SHORT LINE RAILROAD ASSOCIATION WASHINGTON, D.C. - ASLRRA is accepting calendar donations for nursing homes. For the last four years, the ASLRRA has received appeals from Washington, DC nursing and convalescent centers asking if they might have any leftover calendars for their use. Calendars are particularly useful to such centers, particularly for their memory-challenged patients for whom the tracking of days, weeks and months is an important task accomplishment.

ASLRRA has been delighted to provide leftover calendars, and donations are made on behalf of all the ASLRRA member and partners who provide them.

in 1947 and initially restored in 1993.

Brookville’s contract calls for them to add at least a 20-year service life to these streetcars.

Information from ASLRRA

CANAVERAL PORT AUTHORITY PORT CANAVERAL, FL Canaveral Port Authority has filed with the Surface Transportation Board to construct and operate approximately 11 miles of new rail line. The new line would connect with approximately 17 miles of existing rail line at the

John F. Kennedy Space Center to make a connection to the Florida East Coast Railway.

CAROLINA COASTAL RAILWAY WEST GREENVILLE, NC – This past summer, the Greenville Transload Project was completed in West Greenville, NC. The project was completed using the state’s new Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Fund. The transload project provides a new siding that will article continued on page 7

If you would like to donate any of your 2015 calendars, please send them to this mailing address: ASLRRA, 50 F Street NW Suite 7020, Washington, DC 20001.

Information from ASLRRA

BOGALUSA BAYOU RAILROAD BOGALUSA, LA - On January 1, 2015, Bogalusa Bayou Railroad LLC, a subsidiary of Watco Cos., began operating in Bogalusa, Louisiana. This is Watco’s 32nd short line, and it will serve an International Paper Co. plant in Bogalusa and interchange loaded rail cars with Canadian National. The railroad acquired overhead trackage rights for a one-mile line owned by CN/Illinois Central Railroad between Leescreek and Bogalusa.

Information from Progressive Railroading BROOKVILLE EQUIPMENT BROOKVILLE, PA - Brookville Equipment received an order from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to rebuild 16 PCC-class streetcars. The cars were originally built

MARSHALL DURBAN FEED MILL

WAYNESBORO, MS - Marshall Durban Feed Mill has acquired and ex FCEN (Florida Central Railroad) unit #56. It is a CF7 rebuilt from ATSF 2565.

Information and photographs by Michael Murray

Eastern News article continued from page 6

allow local companies to use rail to receive and unload their products. The line is the Carolina Coastal Railway.

Information from ASLRRA

FLORIDA EAST COAST RAILWAY HOLLYWOOD, FL – Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) has installed an automated gate system to streamline the flow of equipment at its Intermodal Container Transfer Facility, which is adjacent to Port Everglades in Hollywood, Florida.

Optical character recognition technologies are used in the system.

They automatically identify trailers, containers, chassis and semi-trucks entering and exiting the facility.

Cameras capture high-resolution images of truck license plates and identification stenciling on trailers, containers and chassis. A bank of computer servers then process the images in real time with optical character recognition technology, query FECR’s operating and billing systems for matching waybills, and transfer the results to drivers at selfservice kiosk screens positioned at each gate.

The Short Line #228 - 7

transportation processes,” said FECR President and CEO James Hertwig.

More Florida East Coast Railway news is that they have received the first of 24 new Class ES44C3 locomotives, which were built by GE Transportation.

The new locomotives meet EPA Tier-3 emission standards.

Information from ASLRRA and Progressive Railroading

MILITARY RAIL WORKERS WASHINGTON, D.C. - On November 12, Anacostia Rail Holdings President Peter Gilbertson and Pacific Harbor Line President Otis Cliatt II joined representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Labor, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and several other rail industry constituents at the Pentagon to conduct the first joint roundtable meeting on increasing railroads’ hiring of military veterans.

According to an Anacostia Rail Holdings press release, the roundtable was intended to encourage the use of the

federal government’s hiring website and highlight the Department of Defense’s new SkillBridge Program, which enables service members to participate in employment training. This includes apprenticeships and internships up to six months before completing their service obligation.

About one-fourth of Pacific Harbor Line’s 150 employees are veterans or active duty guardsmen or reservists.

“The rail industry in general, and Anacostia in particular, have shown leadership in hiring veterans,” said Gilbertson. “It was a privilege to attend the meeting.”

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Readiness) Frank DiGiovanni, FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo and FRA Executive Director Stacy Cummings headed the meeting as roundtable chairs.

“This was an exceptional opportunity, spearheaded by the FRA, to bring military, federal agencies and the railroad industry together for one article continued on page 8

According to a press release from Port Everglades Chief Executive and Port Director Steven Cernak, the system results in faster processing times, higher levels of security and no need for any back up at the gate. In addition, the gate automation reduces delays, increases capacity and provides improved visibility that supports overall yard efficiency at the ICTF, FECR officials said.

“When we made the decision to invest in our state-of-the-art ICTF facility, our primary goal was to increase intermodal capacity while facilitating the efficient flow of both domestic and international goods. The automated gate system is just one aspect of the ICTF design that helps our customers and channel partners streamline their

Kyle Pelt - Railroad Martket Manager Phone: (817) 726-5698 Email: KPelt@SPSystems.net SPSystems.net

Eastern News

The Short Line #228 - 8

article continued from page 7

cause: to take care of America’s heroes, America’s service members,” said Cliatt, who also chairs the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s Veterans Recruitment Committee. “I took personal pleasure bridging the gap between active duty military personnel and the hiring railroad companies in attendance. Military representatives expressed appreciation of the short-line industry’s information for veterans.”

Information from Progressive Railroading

NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RALEIGH, NC - The Rail Division of the North Carolina Department of has completed safety improvements at six grade crossings in four counties.

In Pitt County, the division installed crossing signals and gates where Boyd Street and Liberty Street intersect CSX Transportation tracks in Winterville.

Two freight trains travel through the crossings each day at a maximum speed of 25-mph.

In McDowell County, the division installed signals and gates where Moody Town Road and Goode Road intersect CSX tracks near Marion. Seven freight trains travel through the Moody Town Road crossing each day at a maximum speed of 45 mph, while 12 freight trains travel through the Goode Road intersection daily at 40 mph.

travel through the crossing each day at 25 mph.

Project costs totaling $1.3 million were covered by a combination of state and federal funds. The projects are part of a statewide program aimed at enhancing highway safety by adding or improving signals and gates at public crossings. Automatic warning devices are now in place at more than 2,600 of the North Carolina’s 3,800 public crossings.

Information from Progressive Railroading

NORTH CAROLINA RALEIGH, NC - In January, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is expected to release a draft of their “North Carolina Comprehensive State Rail Plan”. In the meantime, the department released the plan’s executive summary.

NCDOT officials said in a press release, the plan covers the passengerand freight-rail implementation portion of the governor’s 25-year transportation vision plan and feeds into the Draft State Transportation Improvement Plan that was released December 4.

In Moore County, the division installed signals and gates at the intersection of Cedar Creek Road and Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway tracks near Biscoe. Two freight trains travel through the crossing each day at 25 mph.

The executive summary is intended to be the public’s chance to preview the NCDOT’s vision for the state’s rail system. In addition, the summary reviews programs managed by the department and how they work with other government and privatesector programs to deliver a more comprehensive set of rail services; provides an inventory of the state’s rail system; cites trends, markets and needs; identifies prioritized passenger- and freight-rail corridors; and reviews future improvements and assesses funding options.

And in Onslow County, the division installed signals and gates at the intersection of Piney Green Road and Camp LeJeune Railroad tracks in Jacksonville. Two freight trains

A 30-day public comment period will follow the draft plan’s release in January. NCDOT then will review and address all comments, and make any necessary plan revisions. The

department anticipates final approval of the plan in June 2015.

Information from Progressive Railroading

OIL CREEK & TITUSVILLE LINES TITUSVILLE, PA - On December 6, Oil Creek & Titusville Lines operated their Santa Train Express. According to OC&T, the train features the last operating Railway Post Office. Riders may bring Christmas cards to be postmarked on board.

SHORT LINE TAX CREDIT WASHINGTON, D.C. - According to the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s newsletter, the Section 45G short-line tax credit should be extended that will cover tax year 2014.

The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (H.R. 5771), a bill that would extend many expiring tax credits retroactively to the start of 2014, was passed by the House on December 3 and is pending in the Senate, according to Adam Nordstrom, a partner at ASLRRA’s lobbying firm Chambers, Conlon and Hartwell L.L.C. The bill would extend the Railroad Track Maintenance Credit for short lines through Jan. 1, 2015, covering expenditures paid or incurred in tax year 2014 beginning after Dec. 31, 2013.

Originally enacted in January 2005, the Section 45G provision enables regionals and short lines to claim a tax credit of 50 cents for every dollar spent on infrastructure improvements, up to a cap of $3,500 per mile of owned or leased track.

If H.R. 5771 passes the Senate, the president is expected to sign it into law, said Nordstrom in the news item.

“This is the culmination of a twoyear effort that saw our industry amass the support of 251 House cosponsors for H.R. 721 and 52 Senate cosponsors article continued on page 13

Short Line Report

The Short Line #228 - 9

IOWA TRACTION RAILWAY Last of the Freight “Juicers”

by Michael Johns

ABOVE: MASON CITY, IA - IATR #60 pulling three loads of soybeans up from the IC&W transfer at 15th Street curve on November 26, 2003.

S

tretching along a 10-mile segment of county road and city streets between Mason City and Clear Lake, Iowa, is the last electrically operated freight railroad in the United States. The line was acquired in October 2012, by Lakeville, Minnesota based shortline holding company, Progressive Rail, Inc. (PGR) and is one of five shortlines owned or operated by PGR. The Iowa Traction Railway was built to interurban standards in 1897, and is technically not a “trolley” by any stretch of the

imagination, but local folks refer to the line and its operations as “the trolley”.

The Iowa Traction Railway was originally built principally for passenger operations, but the line did its share of hauling mail, milk cans and less than carload freight in the years up to the 1950s.

The Mason City & Clear Lake Railway also had plenty of full carload business prior to the 1960’s hauling grain out of Clear Lake, lumber and sawdust, and coal to a number of businesses in

Photograph by Michael Johns

Mason City. The line also served AMPI, a milk products company specializing in dried milk, cheeses and butter.

Weekday mornings nowadays find the Iowa Traction crews firing up the overhead electrical systems and commencing operations around 8:00am local time. Switching activities are mainly centered on meeting the needs of Ag Processors, Inc. (regional soybean processing plant at Mason City), together with other substantial shippers article continued on page 10

Short Line Report

The Short Line #228 - 10

article continued from page 9

Behr Iron & Metal (located at a rural location called “Emery”), and REG Biofuels, LLC., in Mason City. REG Biofuels is based in Ames, Iowa and has acquired the assets of a biodiesel plant that was sold in 2013, and is being re-tooled and expanded for current biodiesel production.

65

35

C L EAR LAK E 18

RORICK PAR K

MASON CITY

122 CPRS

UP

UP

The Iowa Traction Railway has a good physical plant, and continues to upgrade sidings and interchange tracks.

The electric line interchanges with Canadian Pacific Railway at Rorick Park in Mason City, and with the Union Pacific Railroad at “Clear Lake Junction” and in Mason City. Clear Lake Junction is an old Rock Island and Chicago Great Western name for the interchange with the Iowa Traction’s predecessor “Mason City & Clear Lake Railroad”.

B20

B35 18

Primary commodities handled on today’s Iowa Traction Railway include:

• Soybean meal (outbound)

• Inbound soybeans

• Scrap metal (outbound)

• Soy diesel fuels (outbound)

• Granular animal feed ingredients (inbound) • Inbound processing bulk liquids for area biofuels plants and agricultural users

• Utility poles

The Baldwin Westinghouse electric “motors” used by the Iowa Traction are all “juicers” from the 1920’s except for Unit #60, which dates from 1917.

Unit #60 is a 60-tonner that is the last piece of equipment still on the property from the old “Mason City & Clear Lake Railroad” days, and will be celebrating a 100-year anniversary soon. The unit features an articulated drawbar and coupler arrangement that hearkens back to the days when passenger operations were a daily part of the railroad’s business model. The era of passenger operations for “the juicer” ended in 1936.

RAI L S ERVED C EN T ER S O F C O MMER C E

I O WA T RA CT ION RA ILWAY UP Direct - All Commodities

The Baldwin-Westinghouse motors have friction bearing trucks (allowed because the line’s operations are in “captive service”), K-14 air brake valves, and operates on 600-volt (nominal) overhead electrical current (rated 660v, but the current drops due to line resistance.) The monthly charge for moving freight on “the juicer” averages about $550, depending upon the crew maintaining voltage demands within the range of demand charge limitation imposed by the public utility selling power to the railway.

The line’s operations are very historic, and railfans are encouraged to come to Mason City so long as they observe and obey all “no trespassing”

signs which are limited to three small bridges and to the freight transloading and shops area at Emery Yard.

Rail enthusiasts need to be aware that there are practical reasons why the era of electrical freight railroads has come to an end. The BaldwinWestinghouse motors used by the Iowa Traction Railway cannot be coupled together (or MU’d as the say in the business), and the tractive effort of each locomotive is limited to handling about four loaded cars at a time. This makes for a lot of running back and forth between customers and interchange points, so what “the juicer” saves in fuel costs it eats up in added crew time. article continued on page 12

Short Line Report

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Electric Locomotives of the Iowa Traction Railway and Its Predecessors (Limited to freight roster presently on the property as of December 16, 2014)

Present Identifier Builder Year Built Prior Service History

Dead Weight

Unit No. 60

Baldwin-Westinghouse

1917

MC&CL; Iowa Terminal

120,000 lbs.

Unit No. 54

Baldwin-Westinghouse

1923

Iowa Southern; Iowa Terminal

100,000 lbs.

Unit No. 50 (2nd) Baldwin-Westinghouse 1920

Washington & Old Dominion, CRANDIC, KAW

50-ton

Unit No. 51 Baldwin-Westinghouse 1921

NE Oklahoma, CRANDIC, Iowa Terminal

50-ton

Unit No. 53 Texas Electric 1928

Originally in utility service, transferred to Charles City & Western since 1974 it has been at Mason City, unit is presently in storage

Source: Adapted from table appearing in “Iowa’s Trolleys” by Robert J. Levis and Norman Carlson, 1975, published by Central Electric Railfan Assn., Chicago, IL, Library of Congress #73-9093, pp 285.

TOP: Iowa Traction Railway headed East towards Clear Lake Junction and the UP interchange. Iowa Traction was pulling a cut of loaded scrap cars from Behr Iron and Metal at Emery, Iowa.

Photograph by Michael Johns

The Short Line Report

The Short Line #228 - 12

article continued from page 10

In addition, maintaining both the track and the overhead electric about doubles the required time and money needed to sustain operations.

There are no plans to end electrical operations by the Iowa Traction Railway, so electric railroad enthusiast can breathe a sigh of relief. However, as time goes by and more customers and freight tonnage are added to the line’s traffic base, do not be surprised if you see a diesel locomotive helping out with new customers to insure continued service along the Iowa Traction Railway.

For further reading:

1. “Last of the Steam Road Trolleys”, appearing in Trains Magazine, April 1986, authored by Peter J. Rickerhauser, Kalmach Publishing, Milwaukee, WI, pp. 48-55.

2. “Traction at Work”, by Gregg Condon, Trains Magazine, November 2005, pp. 76-81.

ABOVE: Baldwin-Westinghouse 50-ton motor heading east on Iowa Traction mainline in front of Ag Processors, Inc. Photograph by Chad Tyk

3. Iowa’s Trolleys, by Robert J. Levis and Norman Carlson, published by Central Iowa Railfan’s Association, 1975. Available as a used book online.

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Midwestern News Eastern News continued from page 8

for S. 411, making these bills the second- and third-most cosponsored tax bills in their respective chambers,” he said. “This [tax credit] provision supports over $300 million per year in infrastructure investments serving over 10,000 rail customers, and provides total credits against tax of between $165 and 200 million per year for short lines and their customers and suppliers in 49 states.”

Information from Progressive Railroading

MIDWEST

NEWS

COLUMBUS & OHIO RIVER RAILROAD CADIZ, OH - The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission for the Columbus & Ohio River Railroad to

TRUPOINTE ARGRONOMY GRAIN

The Short Line #228 - 13

install gates and mast-mounted flashing lights at a Sinfield Road/Township Road 171 crossing near Cadiz, Ohio.

The upgrade, which will be funded by federal dollars, must be completed no later than September 10, 2015.

Information from Progressive Railroading

HERITAGE RAIL LEASING STILLWATER, MN The Minnesota Zephyr locomotives #787 and #788 will be shipped to Colorado.

The locomotives were used for dinner trains that rain through the St. Croix River Valley. The locomotives have been sold to Heritage Rail Leasing, a subsidiary of Iowa Pacific Holdings. The company also purchased the Minnesota Zaephr’s six railroad cars. Stillwater officials have been trying for months to get the abandoned Minnesota Zephyr locomotives out of downtown.

According to Kenneth Bitten, general manager of Heritage Rail

ABOVE: UNIOPOLIS, OH - Seen at the Trupointe Agronomy Grain facility on November 15, 2014 was a nice GE 80 ton locomotive. This locomotive (31190 5/1952) is painted in a medium green paint with yellow handrails. It has the words “Trupointe” and the company’s emblem boxed in white borders on the cab sides and one of the ends. Interchange is with the Indiana and Ohio Railway (IORY.) The address is 301 E. Ohio Street, Uniopolis, OH 45888.

Photograph by Mark Comstock

Leasing, the locomotives were to be trucked to a Progressive Rail-owned property in Randolph, Minnesota, and then shipped by oversize flatbed rail cars to Alamosa via Union Pacific tracks. It will take at least a week for the locomotives to get to Colorado.

The locomotives will be stored in Alamosa until the company determines where, when and how they might be used, Bitten said.

“We won’t be doing anything with them right away,” Bitten said. “We don’t have a specific need for them immediately, but eventually we will rebuild them and put them into service hauling passenger trains. They need a lot of work. We’re looking at $100,000 for each locomotive, so that’s not something we’re going to jump into until we have identified a specific need and a place to run them.”

Iowa Pacific owns in Texas, Colorado,

railroads Oregon,

article continued on page 14

Midwestern News

The Short Line #228 - 14

article continued from page 13

Massachusetts, California, Illinois and New York. Among their holdings: the Permian Basin Railways, the Chicago Terminal Railroad, the Mass Coastal Railroad, the Mount Hood Railroad, the Rusk Palestine & Pacific Railroad, the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad, the Santa Cruz & Monterey Railway and the Saratoga & North Creek Railway.

The Zephyr locomotives and dining cars “could go anywhere or, potentially, if we have another railroad that we start up, that could generate the need to put them into service,” Bitten said. Iowa Pacific is starting passenger trains in Indiana and Oklahoma, “so conceivably they could be used on a regular passenger train as well,” he said.

Dave Paradeau, who ran the Minnesota Zephyr dinner train operation for more than 20 years, said the move marks the end of an era. “It was a major undertaking to create the Minnesota Zephyr, its equipment and its operation,” he said. “I’m kind of sad to see it go. But I have a warm feeling knowing that I created something that entertained 1.3 million people from all over the world.” He said he hopes the cars and locomotives might one day again be part of a dinner train business.

“I’d love to see it rebuilt and put back together,” he said.

Paradeau sold the train corridor to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for $4.25 million; the land is now the site of the new Brown’s Creek State Trail. The Stillwater City Council declared that the locomotives were a public nuisance in August after there were photographs of kids climbing on them during the Fourth of July fireworks surfaced on social media. After months of negotiations, the council set a December 15 deadline for removal.

Information from Michael Murray

INDIANA RAIL ROAD INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Indiana Rail Road operated its 25th annual Santa

article continued on page 15

GE 44-TON CENTER CAB SWITCHER

ABOVE: GARDNER, KS - An old GE 44-ton center-cab switcher that has been parked and unused at the New Century Air Center industrial park at the east edge of Gardner, Kansas, for about a dozen years, has been scrapped

by Erman Corporation of Kansas City. It is also unknown whether or not the old ATSF caboose seen in the background in the photographs will also be scrapped.

Photographs and Information by Larry Byers Information from Michael Murray

Western News

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Wisconsin & Southern Railroad, under a lease with the WRRTC, will continue to provide service on the purchased line. Last year, the railroad moved 5,070 cars on the line and served 23 customers, including grain, chemicals, polymers, paper, food products, lumber, aggregate and metal shippers.

Information from Progressive Railroading

WESTERN KEOKUK JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANY

ABOVE: CUBA, IL - On October 17, 2014, Keokuk Junction Railway Company is east of Cuba, Illinois passing a mile marker.

Photograph by Roger A. Holmes

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Train on December 6. The railroad distributed coats, hats, and gloves from the train to those in need. Indiana Rail Road Founder, President, and CEO Tom Hoback has called the Santa Train “… one of the company’s most treasured community service activities.”

Information from ASLRRA

“This significant investment is yet another example of our state’s continued commitment to a strong transportation system, which is vital to growing Wisconsin’s economy,” said Walker in a press release.

NEWS

ALASKA RAILROAD ANCHORAGE, AK - Alaska Railroad, the railroad’s annual print was announced. The print is entitled “Whittier Surprise” and its author is Dawn Gerety. Copies of the print may be purchased through the Alaska Railroad Gift Shop and may be ordered online.

Information from ASLRRA article continued on page 17

WISCONSIN SOUTHERN RAILROAD MADISON, WI - According to an announcement made by Gov. Scott Walker, Wisconsin has finalized the purchase of a 70-mile Union Pacific Railroad line between Madison, Reedsburg and Cottage Grove, Wisconsin.

Early 2014, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation had signed an acquisition agreement with Union Pacific Railroad. The $30 million purchase was made jointly with the Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission (WRRTC). Funds for the purchase came from the Freight Rail Preservation Program. This program provides grants to railroads, industries and local governments to preserve and rehabilitate rail lines.

TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILWAY

ABOVE: Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad (CORP) 3827 seen on the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway on Saturday, December 6, 2014. An EMD GP38AC it was built in May 1971. Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad 3827 was assigned to TP&W with the Genesee & Wyoming purchase in 2012.

Photograph by Meghan Peterson

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Western News COPPER BASIN RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVES THEN AND NOW

by William T. Morgan On June 1, 1986, Copper Basin Railway began operating Southern Pacific’s Hayden Branch between Magma and Winkelman, Arizona. It totaled 54.6 miles. Included in the deal was Kennecott Mineral Corporation’s line from Ray Junction to the Ray Mine.

Copper ore is hauled via train from the mine to a smelter n Hayden, the home of the short line’s offices and engine facilities.

Only five weeks later, on July 8, I visited the railway for the first time. I found several GP9s and GP18s in the railroad’s gray paint scheme with a large green saguaro cactus (abundant in the local area) painted on the long hood. Three of the locomotives were ex-Rock Island GP18s, and two others were ex-Burlington Northern GP9s. I was told three more diesels would be arriving in the near future. Also present were four ex-SP SD29 locomotives now owned by the Copper Basin, but still in SP paint with no lettering. Three leased Kennecott GP30s were also there.

It was over a quarter century before my next trip to the Copper Basin engine facility in 2012. Things had changed drastically. A couple of GP9 and GP18 models were visible, as was one GP40.

However, GP39s predominated, with about a half dozen observed in one day. The pain job had improved; the gaudy saguaro cactus was gone. The gray locomotives were really classy with copper stripes along the hood and copper and black nose stripping. Hopefully, I won’t wait a quarter century for my next visit.

TOP LEFT: Copper Basin Railway GP9s 204, 205, and GP18s 202, 203 were parked at the engine facility in Hayden, Arizona on July 8, 1986. The temperature was 111 degrees.

SECOND LEFT: Showing off the giant saguaro cactus painted on Copper Basin locomotives was GP18 201 at Hayden, Arizona on July 8, 2986.

THIRD LEFT: Three leased Kennecott Copper GP39 diesels were parked alongside four Copper Basin locomotives (two GP9, two GP18) on July 8, 1986 in Hayden, Arizona.

BOTTOM LEFT: On a hot July 8, 1986 in Hayden, Arizona Kennecott Copper GP39DC 1 and 2 and GP39-2 3 (on lease to Copper Basin Railway) were taking a break from switching at the smelter.

TOP RIGHT: Copper Basin Railway GP40 301 along with GP39s 403 and 401 rested at Hayden, Arizona engine facility on April 6, 2012.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Displaying Copper Basin Railway’s very sharp paint scheme April 6, 2012 at Hayden, Arizona was GP39 504.

Photographs by William T. Morgan

Western News article continued from page 15

SOUTH DAKOTA RAILROADS SOUTH DAKOTA - South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced $56 million in public and private dollars have been committed to fund four rail projects across the state.

The projects in part will support the opening of a new $40 million grain handling facility in Britton and a $40 million grain shuttle loading facility in Kennebec, Daugaard said in a press release.

“The state has long recognized the importance of rail transportation as part of an integrated component of South Dakota’s intermodal transportation plan,” he said. “The investments we make in rail today will have a positive impact for decades to come.”

MITCHELL-TO-RAPID CITY One of the projects include the reconstruction of the state-owned Mitchell-to-Rapid City rail line. The $29.9 million project calls for upgrading 42.6 miles of track between Chamberlain and Presho to restore rail service. The upgrades will accommodate a grain shuttle loading facility to be built in Kennebec by grain and agronomy cooperative Wheat Growers.

The rail project is being funded by a $12.7 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant; $7.2 million appropriated by the state; $7 million in grants and loans from the Railroad Trust Fund; $1 million from Rails to the Future; $1 million from Dakota Southern Railroad; and a $1 million grant from the state’s “Future Funds” program.

RAPID CITY, PIERRE AND EASTERN RAILROAD Another project announced by Daugaard involves an agreement between the state and Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad (RCP&E) to construct two new sidings along the an old Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern

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Railroad line. The $7.5 million project calls for constructing a 10,000-foot siding in the Huron area and a 7,500foot siding near Aurora. RCP&E has committed $3.75 million for the work and the state will match that amount with a Future Funds grant.

DAKOTA & IOWA RAILROAD The third project cited by the governor calls for South Dakota to partner with the Dakota & Iowa Railroad to upgrade the Sioux Valley Line.

The $7.3 million project will include upgrading nine bridges to enable the line to accommodate 286,000-pound rail cars. In addition, a section of track that’s subject to landslides will be moved.

MISSOURI VALLEY & WESTERN RAILROAD – BRITTON LINE The fourth project involves an upgrade of the Britton Line in northeast South Dakota. The $11.5 million project calls for building the south leg of a wye track at Jarrett Junction and replacing 29 miles of light rail with heavy rail to accommodate heavier rail traffic. The work will be funded by $5.25 million from the Dakota, Missouri Valley & Western Railroad, $5.25 million in loans from the state’s Rail Board and $1 million from the Future Funds program.

The line upgrade will accommodate the new Britton Grain Terminal, said Daugaard.

“This new grain elevator in Britton will allow head-to-head competition between two Class I railroads for the first time,” he said.

Daugaard also announced that $4 million in Future Funds grants will be available to match other South Dakota rail investments made by private entities. Interested parties should submit proposals to the South Dakota Department of Transportation, the governor said.

Information from Progressive Railroading

TOURIST

NEWS

ADIRONDACK SCENIC RAILROAD UTICA, NY - The Adirondack Scenic Railroad received a $791,000 grant from New York State. The funding will go to help pay for a new repair and maintenance facility in Utica. According to a statement, the tourism railroad said it had been operating without full repair facilities.

“Since the Adirondack Scenic Railroad lost its lease agreement at the repair facility in Rome...it has been maintaining their fleet of 21 passenger cars and eight locomotives outside in the rail yard at Utica, as well as in a small one-stall shop in Thendara, just south of Old Forge,” said ASR officials.

In a statement, Bethan Maher, Executive Director of ARPS said, “Repairs will become much more efficient, allowing us to expand and diversify as a tourist attraction while having a large enough facility for contract work. This will provide a secondary revenue source which is not tourism dependent; while at the same time create jobs.”

The funding comes at a time when state officials are determining how to manage the rail corridor through the Adirondack Park. Some critics have proposed tearing up the railroad tracks entirely and converting the line to a railtrail attraction.

State officials suggested they may divide the line into two parts with a tourism railroad extending from Utica to Tupper Lake, and with a rail-trail extending the rest of the way to Lake Placid.

This funding suggests state officials see a future for some kind of tourism railroad operating in the corridor. article continued on page 18

Tourist News

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article continued from page 17

According to a press release Adirondack Rail Preservation Society President Bill Branson praised the funding. “We are obviously pleased that the State has chosen to show confidence in us with this grant. This facility will allow us to grow into the future, with the additional benefits that will be required with expanded rail corridor service.”

According to the Scenic Railroad, the new facility will “measure 220 feet long by 75 feet wide, with two tracks in the building, an inspection pit, and room to repair a variety of equipment. The Railroad is currently looking at land to purchase for the project in the vicinity of Union Station, north of the railroad tracks.”

Information from North County Public Radio (St. Lawrence University – Canton, NY) News

SAN LUIS OBISPO RAILROAD MUSEUM SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum received a $30,000 contribution from Phillips 66 Corporation. The museum was recently notified that its grant request to the Phillips 66 Corporation had been accepted and was being fully funded to the $30,000 amount.

The funds are earmarked to help complete the museum’s ambitious model railroad room, a scale model depiction of the rail industry in SLO as it looked in the early part of the 20th century.

Scale model trains wind their way through Central Coast towns with local landmarks and topography captured in painstaking detail. The balance of the funds will support the museum’s educational exhibit showcasing the relationship between the oil industry and the railroad in SLO County.

According to Museum volunteer Arnold Jonas, the group hosted a tour of its facility for Phillips 66 officials in late fall and received a positive reaction. “Several of the people touring our museum were from out of state and were frankly amazed at what our group

of volunteers has accomplished,” said Jonas. “And not only was the group impressed by the museum, they were intrigued by our emphasis on education and our interest in telling the story of the railroad in our county. Apparently that paved the way for our grant approval,” he said.

“All of us involved in the oil industry are aware of the role the local railroad played, and continues to play in keeping our product moving,” said Bill Schroll, manager of the Phillips 66 Santa Maria Refinery located on the Nipomo Mesa. “We are delighted to help educate residents and areas visitors about the rich history of the railroads and their role on the Central Coast, including the dynamic partnership that continues between our industries,” he said.

About the SLO Railroad Museum The San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum is a regional non-profit educational institution founded to preserve and present the railroad history of California and specifically the Central Coast. Collecting, restoring and displaying relevant railroad artifacts, photographs and documents is its goal.

Information from Paso Robles Daily News

CANADIAN

NEWS

ALTEX ENERGY LTD LASHBURN, CANADA - A new railroad in Canada is Altex Energy LTD. The railroad will serve as a switching and terminal railroad operating eight miles of track at Lashburn, SK, Canada, and there will interchange with Canadian National.

CENTRAL MAINE & QUEBEC RAILWAY LAC-MEGANTIC, CANADA Central Maine & Quebec Railway has been approved by Transport Canada to operate an ungraded rail line in Canada.

On December 5, the railroad received the official revocation of a series of federal notices and orders, confirming that immediate threats no longer exist on the line, CMQR officials said in a press release. The notices and orders were transferred to the railroad following its purchase of the bankrupt Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway.

Transport Canada’s decision follows months of work, a multitude of inspections and an additional $10 million investment in the line, CMQR officials said. The railroad spent the past four months installing more than 32,000 new ties, 110,000 linear feet of rail and 25,000 tons of ballast; upgrading bridges, culverts and grade crossings; completing surfacing work; and removing more than 300 in-track rail defects from its main tracks and sidings, they said.

The Sherbrooke subdivision is “the 125-mile backbone” of the railroad’s Quebec line, which stretches from Lac-Megantic to Brookport just east of Farnham, CMQR officials said.

“We had to make this investment.

The line was covered in snow last February and March when we were finally able to begin our diligence, but we made a commitment to LacMegantic Mayor [Collette Roy] Laroche and citizens, as well as many regulators, that we would address the years of neglect,” said CMQR President and Chief Executive Officer John Giles.

CMQR officials now consider the first phase of the railroad’s transformation to be largely completed.

“Not to say we don’t have a lot more track and infrastructure work to do next spring, but we have already started Phase II, which focuses on growth, customers and interline partners,” said Giles.

Information from Progressive Railroading