Michigan Tech Rail Transportation Program

06/22/2022

Early Registration for the 2022 Michigan Rail Conference.

03/30/2022

Registration for our summer youth program, Tracks to the Future, is now OPEN! There will be two options this year, the traditional in-person event and new, a hybrid version that has students at home for part of it and in-person at one of 3 optional locations. See our website for more information! http://www.rail.mtu.edu/event/tracks-future-railroad-transportation-and-engineering

Participant registrations are coming in at a surprising clip, so get your application in as soon as possible! We have found some interest across the railroad industry in helping students with transportation costs to our host schools. If you are interested, and especially if transportation costs are....

01/28/2022

Union Pacific has placed an order for 20 battery-electric locomotives for yard service.
https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/up-announces-purchase-of-10-flxdrive-battery-electric-locomotives/?fbclid=IwAR2E1aSnEBXpcPpjltcbep7hWS4Gd0sEpYG8hlmtSKLzujVbEgEJgvT62Cc

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific will purchase 20 battery-electric locomotives to test in yard service, the largest commitment to date for the technology by any rail operator. In separate announcements Friday, the railroad announced purchase of 10 Wabtec FLXdrive locomotives and 10 of Progress Rail’s...

01/27/2022

Michigan Tech is now one of three universities involved in this new educational experience: Tracks to the Future.
https://www.progressiverailroading.com/railPrime/details/Tracks-to-the-Future-Three-universities-join-forces-to-attract-future-railroaders--65736?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=railprime-jan&utm_content=railprime-content&fbclid=IwAR2fZxAr6v2Glzo4AIT01Gi5Hm_rEWLmk4BXjONcR-h3RDfies4TEnoCyGc

Three university rail transportation programs are teaming up to offer two weeks of summer sessions aimed at high-schoolers who are curious about the railroad business. 

09/14/2021

Wabtec, Gennessee & Wyoming, and Carnegie Mellon are now collaborating to develop zero-emission locomotives:

Railroad industry news about: Wabtec, memorandum of understanding, Carnegie Mellon University, Genesee & Wyoming Inc.. From the editors of Progressive Railroading Magazine

09/02/2021

UP ramps up hiring efforts:

Railroad industry news about: Union Pacific Railroad, hiring, job openings, Ken Kuwamura, senior manager of talent acquisition, diversity. From the editors of Progressive Railroading Magazine

08/30/2021

Over $300,000 offered in grants to the EPA by the Cimarron Valley and Kansas DOT to reduce emissions:

Railroad industry news about: Cimarron Valley Railroa, CVR, Kansas Department of Transportation, U.S. EPA, grant, Diesel Reduction Fuel Act grant. From the editors of Progressive Railroading Magazine

08/27/2021

Union Pacific has installed PTC on their Big Boy, with plans for use on their other steam engines:

Railroad industry news about: Union Pacific Railroad, Big Boy No. 4014, steam locomotive, positive train control, PTC. From the editors of Progressive Railroading Magazine

08/02/2021

Hydrogen fuel-cell engines are being developed for future use in Southern California:

Railroad industry news about: Southern California Gas Company, SoCalGas, Sierra Northern Railway, Gas Technology Institute, GTI, zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell engine, South Coast Air Quality Management District, SCAQMD. From the editors of Progressive Railroading Magazine

07/23/2021

Labor shortages and industry bottlenecks are causing problems for recovery in the railroad industry: https://www.wsj.com/articles/shortage-of-railroad-workers-threatens-recovery-11626953584?st=rn743w9vj5nw8ew&reflink=desktopwebshare_twitter&mod=e2fb&fbclid=IwAR0e4rnUuXtKS6FeFaDgcXD260e5YQdU0Ru590aGqy4ZyUB9HM63btN2wY0

The crunch is contributing to a slowdown in the movement of chemicals, fertilizer and other products that threatens to disrupt factory operations and hinder a rebound from the pandemic.

07/23/2021

Governors of Arkansas and New Jersey push Congress to invest in a new infrastructure plan:

Railroad industry news about: National Governors Association (NGA) Chairman Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, Vice Chairman Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey, infrastructure agreement, bipartisan, U.S. Senators, Congress, APTA. From the editors of Progressive Railroading Magazine

06/17/2021

Union Pacific's Big Boy #4014 is returning to steam across the midwest this summer: https://www.railwayage.com/mechanical/locomotives/big-boy-4014-returns/?fbclid=IwAR2DwlZqqHlKBglVtyH1ozySCj1CJvMH7Khyj_Pw3xii9HB_khW9epD3mlI

One of the largest and perhaps most famous steam locomotives ever built—Union Pacific’s (UP) articulated 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” No. 4014—is heading on a month-long tour this summer to celebrate railroad heritage and the communities UP serves.