Thank You Congress For the 45G Tax Credit for Short Line Railroads

For almost two centuries, railroads have been the most fuel efficient way to move freight and passengers over land.  This being said, it is critical that railroads are able to fully capitalize on their potential.
Throughout America, carload after carload of freight is generated by our short line industry.  It is critical that each and every one of these carloads enter into our rail network and arrive safely at its destination in a timely manner.
I would like to thank the men and women of our short line industry for seeing to it that our system of short lines is well maintained and efficiently run.  I would also like to thank Linda Bauer Darr and the men and women of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association for providing the short line industry with the tools it needs.
Thank you, as well, to the men and women of Congress for working together to give the short line industry the much needed 45G tax credit.
The 45G tax credit is about getting the job done.  As railroading has so much cost below the rail, this tax credit truly works.  I am grateful so many have come together for so many years to keep the 45G tax credit in place to ensure carload after carload of freight enters our railroad system to keep it working.
Thank you so much to Senators Mike Crapo and Ron Wyden and Representatives Lynn Jenkins and Earl Blumenauer for working together to support the short line industry in creating the permanent Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy Act.  The railroad industry is truly grateful for your work.  Thank you.

Drawing of the Day-May 21, 2016 Arkansas and Missouri RS1 #20

Today I drew Arkansas and Missouri Railroad RS1 #20. This RS1 has pulled Arkansas and Missouri's excursion trains from Van Buren. Arkansas and Missouri is a member of American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

Drawing of the Day March 26, 2016-Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway SD50 426

Today I drew Reading and Northern's Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway SD50 #426. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway operates on the tracks of both the former Jersey Central and Lehigh Valley. Reading and Northern is a member of American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

Drawing of the Day- March 20, 2016 Aberdeen Carolina and Western SD40-3 #6918

Today I drew Aberdeen Carolina and Western SD40-3 #6918.  Aberdeen Carolina & Western is a member of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association and is known as "The Carolina Route."

Drawing of the Day-March 19th 2016 Copper Basin Railway GP18 #202

I just drew Copper Basin Railway GP18 #202. The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association Jake With Distinction Safety award is based on the Jake award started by and named for Copper Basin Railway President LS "Jake" Jacobson in 1994.

Drawing of the Day-March 16, 2016-Watco Kansas and Oklahoma GP38-3 #3832

I just drew Watco Companies LLC Kansas and Oklahoma GP38-3. Look for it in final "The ABC's of America's Short Line & Regional Railroads." Watco is a member of the American Short Line and Region Railroad Association.

Drawing of the Day-March 15, 2016 Akron and Barberton Cluster SW1500 #1501

Today I drew Akron and Barberton Cluster SW1500 #1501.  Akron and Barberton Cluster is owned by Wheeling & Lake Erie and operates over the track of the former Akron and Barberton Belt Railway.

My New Book- "The ABC's of America's Short Line and Regional Railroads"

Today I read aloud from my new book, "The ABC's of America's Short Line and Regional Railroads."  It discusses how America's short line and regional railroads provide first mile/last mile service to deliver the freight we need everyday.  It also discusses how Class 1 railroads work together with short line and regional railroads in our railroad system.

Drawing of the Day-March 9, 2016 Coos Bay Rail Link SW1200 #1203

I just drew Coos Bay Rail Link SW1200 #1203. Coos Bay Rail Link connects the lumber mills of Western Oregon to a connection at Union Pacific at Eugene. Coos Bay Rail Link is a member of American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

Drawing of the Day-March 7, 2016 Chicago South Shore & South Bend GP38-2 #2001

I just drew Chicago South Shore & South Bend GP38-2 #2001. Chicago South Shore & South Bend interchanges with the Class 1 Railroads throughout Chicago and Northern Indiana and provides transload services and industrial switching. Chicago South Shore & South Bend is a member of American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

Drawing of the Day March 6, 2016-Huron & Eastern GP9 #101

I just drew Huron & Eastern GP9 #101. Huron and Eastern is a short line that serves Saginaw, Bay City and Eastern Michigan.

Drawing of the Day-March 5, 2016 SMS Lines S12 #300

Yesterday I drew SMS Lines S12 #300. SMS Lines provides transloading service in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and is a member of American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

Drawing of the Day-March 2, 2016 Juniata Valley SW9 #2106

Today I drew Juniata Valley SW9 #2106. Juniata Valley connects Lewistown, Derry Township and Burnham, PA, is part of the North Shore family of railroads and is a member of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

Drawing of the Day-February 29, 2016 Palmetto Railways GP16 2001

I just drew Palmetto Railways GP16 #2001. Palmetto Railways serves South Carolina Ports Authority and is a member of American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

Drawing of the Day-February 27, 2016 Maryland and Delaware RS3M #1202

I just drew Maryland and Delaware Railroad RS3M #1202. Maryland & Delaware connects Townsend to Centreville, Seaford to Cambridge and Frankford to Snow Hill and is a member of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

Drawing of the Day-Februray 26, 2016 Buffalo & Pittsburgh SD40-3 #3342

Today I drew Buffalo and Pittsburgh SD40-3 #3342.  Buffalo and Pittsburgh is part of the Genesee & Wyoming family of short lines and connects, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Erie.  Buffalo & Pittsburgh and Genesee & Wyoming are members of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

A Tribute To Great Railroaders 2-Russell Tedder-Former Chairman of ASLRRA

 

The other day, I drew Ashley Drew & Northern GP28 Number 1812.  This drawing is a gift for former American Short Line and Regional Railroad Chairman Russell Tedder.

Russell Tedder was kind enough to share with me his life’s history with the Ashley Drew & Northern.

Here is Russell’s story with Ashley Drew & Northern as told to me by Mr. Tedder himself.

 “I had my hand on the throttle ( figuratively) of the AD&N for 20 years. When I arrived in '76 we had one SW1500, three SWs of different models at 1200 HP and one SW900. The 1500 and one 1200 were the consist of the daily local from Crossett to Monticello and return, 41 miles. Soon GP announced expansion that doubled carloads of paper products. After toying with swapping two 1200s for two Alco C420s, better judgment prevailed in the form of two Paducah GP10s. By 1978 tonnage had increased and the two GP10s or one GP10 and SW1500 handled the local. Later I arranged for two GP28s, one for AD&N and one for Fordyce & Princeton, still later about 1986 two more GP28s replaced the 1200s, also two CF7s, It was a Noah's Ark roster, two of each kind.

After the Rock Island went down in 1980 nearly all traffic went to MP at Monticello with trains of 80 to 95 cars each way, on roller coaster grades, handled by a pair of GP28s. At this time the AD&N hauled 70 boxcar loads of paper, plywood and lumber per day, more cars than unloaded in the entire state of Arkansas. The GP28s and CF7s were all wonderful shortline engines. Like the proverbial bunny powered rabbit, they just keep "goin' and goin'." Sadly, by 1996 changing events made the AD&N obsolete in favor of the level Arkansas Louisiana & Mississippi between Crossett and Monroe, LA, which inherited the fleet.”

Thank you, Russell Tedder, for sharing your story with the Ashley Drew & Northern.