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Progressive Rail to acquire Iowa Traction
Bravo to Progressive Rail, in preserving electric rail history.
There were rumblings a few years ago that the current owners were considering closing down the operations completely. This was very good news to hear about Progressive Rail planning to purchase and preserve the present historical locomotives and maintain the line.
Freight rolling stock is now considerably larger and heavier than it was back in the days of Iowa Traction’s interurban origins!
Modern diesel electrics are, well, electrically powered. They just burn onboard diesel instead of burning coal or NG and sending the electricity to the engine via wires. Maybe they meant to use the term “electrified” in their press release?
That aside, there are other electrified freight railroads in the US. The Black Mesa, the Deseret Railroad and the Navajo railroad all come to mind.
See…electric traction is the Progressive choice.
See…electric traction is the Progressive choice.
keep the railroads four
how about adding an apostrophe to railroad’s
I remember there being a Trains Magazine article on this railroad sometime within the past couple of years.
Those big motors will keep on turning for years to come. Car weight has only increased incrimentally and the line has no significant grades. Those motors will have no problem hauling the heavier railcars.
Can’t think of a better operator for this historic operation than Progressive Rail!
Steve Mitchell, Yard Goat Images