South Dakota seeks sale or lease of 80.8-mile former Milwaukee Road line

Portion of South Dakota rail map

PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Department of Transportation is seeking proposals for purchase or lease of 80.8 miles of state-owned rail lines in the southeastern portion of the state. The line between Napa Junction and Platte, S.D., includes 20.9 miles between Napa and Tyndall that has previously been leased by Dakota Southern Railway, as […]

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DART to open commuter rail Silver Line on Oct. 25

Silver and yellow diesel multiple unit trainsets

DALLAS — Dallas Area Rapid Transit will launch its new commuter rail Silver Line on Saturday, Oct. 25, the agency announced today (Sept. 12, 2025). Rides will be free on the first day — and free rides will continue through Nov. 8, DART says, to give everyone the chance to experience the new service firsthand. […]

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Union Pacific derailment in Fort Worth, Texas, leads to shelter in place order

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

FORT WORTH, Texas — A shelter-in-place order has been lifted for Fort Worth residents living near the site of a Union Pacific derailment today (Aug., 31, 2025), according to the Fort Worth Fire Department. The Fire Department responded to the derailment at UP’s Davidson Yard southwest of downtown Fort Worth in about 10:40 a.m., and […]

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NTSB releases preliminary report on Dallas light rail fire

Image of smoke coming from light rail tunnel with stopped train in foreground

WASHINGTON — A Dallas Area Rapid Transit light rail train came in contact with an overhead catenary wire, leading to arcing that started a fire, the National Transportation Safety Board says in its preliminary report on the July 30, 2025, incident that led to injuries to 11 passengers. The incident occurred about 3:33 p.m., and […]

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Texas Transportation Council gives final approval to funding rescue for Heartland Flyer

Passenger train at station

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Transportation Commission has approved last month’s decision by a regional governmental to provide $3.5 million to keep Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer operating for at least another year. The Regional Transportation Council of the North Central Texas Council of Governments in July voted to provide the funding, filling a funding gap created […]

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R.J. Corman completes work on massive weather-caused derailment in North Dakota

Crain lifting covered hopper onto wheels

MAYVILLE, N.D. — R.J. Corman’s Emergency Divisions have completed cleanup and recovery from what is being called the single largest derailment in U.S. history, involving 832 empty covered hopper cars stored by BNSF Railway near Mayville in advance of this year’s fall harvest. The cars were blown over by a June storm including a dericho […]

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UP train derails west of Fort Worth, Texas

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

GORDON, Texas — About 35 cars of a Union Pacific train, including some believed to be carrying hazardous materials, derailed today (Aug. 12, 2025), ABC News reports. Palo Pinto County officials told the network that no leaks have been reported, but that the incident “is being treated as a HazMat situation.” No injuries were reported. […]

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STB office releases final environmental report for rail border crossing in Texas

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis has issued its final Environmental Impact Statement for the Green Eagle Railroad, a 1.3-mile line that would be part of a new 19-mile rail route and bridge connecting Eagle Pass, Texas, and Piedras Negas, Mexico. The report addresses two route alternatives, the Southern and Northern […]

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The HO scale Brush Creek & Western layout

A three level track plan for the Bush Creek & Western model railroad layout

Facts and features Name: Brush Creek & Western Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 21 x 45 feet Prototype: freelance Locale: St. Louis, Mo., to Oklahoma City, Okla. Era: 1935 to 1975 Style: peninsula Mainline run: 300 feet Minimum radius: 28″ Minimum turnout: No. 5 Maximum grade: 2% Benchwork: open grid Height: 16″ to 72″ Roadbed: lauan […]

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