Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Justin Franz

Railfan & Railroad Magazine @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social · 21h

Chicagoland transit authorities, including Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority, will avoid falling off the fiscal cliff in 2026 after the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation to provide $1.5 billion in funding without creating new taxes railfan.com/illinois-pas...

Illinois Passes Transit Funding

Chicagoland transit authorities, including Metra commuter rail and the Chicago Transit Authority, will avoid falling off the fiscal cliff in 2026.

railfan.com

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Reposted by Justin Franz

hayden johnson @haydenjohnsonn.bsky.social · Sep 25

every AI ad is like

“hey gemini, what would i have for lunch?”

and then the phone is like

“sandwich”

and the guy is like

“wow”

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Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · 3d

Great stuff! That going-away shot with the guy on the caboose and the locomotives still putting up exhaust in the distance is an instant classic.

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Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · 4d

The Hospital on the Corner flatheadbeacon.com/2025/10/25/t... Logan Health Whitefish and its predecessors have served the North Valley for 120 years. Latest for Flathead Living Magazine.

The Hospital on the Corner - Flathead Beacon

Paige Leigh Nadeau, daughter of Christina and Lance Nadeau of Bigfork, was the first baby born at Whitefish’s “new” North Valley Hospital on March 23, 2007, about 24 hours after the hospital opened. T...

flatheadbeacon.com

Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · 5d

An annual guide to Canadian trains (often called the "Bible of Canadian railfanning") can no longer be sold and shipped to the U.S. because of tariffs. So now my nerdy train friends and I must organize a smuggling ring to help our fellow train nerds. What a time to be alive.

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Reposted by Justin Franz

Interurban Era @interurbanera.bsky.social · 6d

What started as a joke actually turned out pretty well. Keeping this in the back pocket for a future leasing company scheme.

An illustration of an EMD SD45 by Interurban era, inspired by SBB's "cargo" scheme.

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Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · 6d

The more I think about this, the more I think a Winnebago would be the move...

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Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · 6d

"Most of his knowledge of the craft comes from magazines such as the Model Railroader and the Railroad Model Craftsman. 'A lot of people like to Youtube it, but personally I find I learn best from reading,' he said."

The kids are alright.

therealwv.com/2025/10/29/1...

15-year-old Ralph Romanello brings the town of ‘Soapton’ to life at the Hinton Railroad Museum

By Jenny Harnish, RealWV Ralph Romanello built the town of Soapton with tweezers and an X-Acto knife. It took him about a year. He laid the train tracks

therealwv.com

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Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · 6d

Some exciting news in the world of narrow gauge railroading!

Railfan & Railroad Magazine @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social · 6d

One of only three surviving Denver & Rio Grande Western C-16 class 2-8-0 locomotives will be restored to operation railfan.com/rio-grande-c...

Rio Grande C-16 2-8-0 to be Restored to Operation

One of only three surviving Denver & Rio Grande Western C-16 class 2-8-0 locomotives will be restored to operation.

railfan.com

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Reposted by Justin Franz

Bryan Curtis @bryancurtis.bsky.social · 6d

When This Reporter Comes Calling, the White House Insults Go Flying www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/b...

When This Reporter Comes Calling, the White House Insults Go Flying

www.nytimes.com

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Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · 7d

Great stuff!

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Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · 7d

Dear Metra,

Do it.

-Everyone

WDTX 1402 @wdtx1402.bsky.social · 7d

20210906_1957

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Reposted by Justin Franz

Railfan & Railroad Magazine @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social · 7d

BNSF Railway announced this week that the years-long effort to install Positive Train Control along the former Montana Rail Link is nearly complete. Activation of PTC is expected to bring about several significant changes along the route railfan.com/ptc-almost-d...

PTC Almost Done on MRL

Activation of PTC, which could happen as soon as this week, is expected to bring about several significant changes along the route.

railfan.com

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Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · 7d

While the government shutdown has led to some canceled vacations, locals say they are more worried about the long-term health of the National Park Service after drastic staffing cuts by the Trump administration montanafreepress.org/2025/10/28/s... Latest for @montanafreepress.org

Government shutdown latest challenge for Glacier National Park, surrounding communities

While the shutdown has led to some canceled vacations, locals say they are worried about the long-term health of the National Park Service.

montanafreepress.org

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Reposted by Justin Franz

Railfan & Railroad Magazine @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social · 20d

One of the nation’s largest railroad unions is calling for a drone ban at rail yards and along main lines, a move that could significantly impact railroad photographers who have recently taken to the sky to capture photos railfan.com/rail-union-c...

Rail Union Calls For Drones to be Grounded

One of the nation’s largest railroad unions is calling for drones to be grounded at rail yards and along main lines

railfan.com

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Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · 26d

Latest for @montanafreepress.org

Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 26d

Hecla’s Libby Exploration Project was one of 10 fast-tracked for ‘expedited permitting’ earlier this year; conservation groups cry foul.

Trump administration approves mine exploration project near Libby

Hecla’s Libby Exploration Project was one of 10 fast-tracked for ‘expedited permitting’ earlier this year; conservation groups cry foul.

montanafreepress.org

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Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · 27d

BNSF made its strongest argument yet against the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger by releasing a position paper that states the combination would cause chaos on the national rail network, negatively affect shippers railfan.com/bnsf-no-cust... Latest for @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social

BNSF: ‘No Customer Is Asking For Merger’

BNSF Railway made its strongest argument yet against the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger.

railfan.com

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Reposted by Justin Franz

Montana Free Press @montanafreepress.org · 28d

The snowmaking operation on Spanish Peaks Mountain Club property will make Big Sky the first public ski area in Montana to turn wastewater into powder.

State approves Big Sky Resort plan to turn wastewater into snow

The snowmaking operation on Spanish Peaks Mountain Club property will make Big Sky the first public ski area in Montana to turn wastewater into powder.

montanafreepress.org

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Reposted by Justin Franz

Railfan & Railroad Magazine @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social · Sep 29

BREAKING NEWS: CSX Transportation announced on Monday that CEO Joe Hinrichs had departed and was being replaced by Steve Angel railfan.com/csx-ceo-sudd...

CSX CEO Suddenly Departs

CSX Transportation announced on Monday that CEO Joe Hinrichs had resigned and was being replaced by Steve Angel.

railfan.com

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Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · Sep 25

This week, one of the nation's largest rail unions made an unprecedented announcement, stating that it would throw its support behind the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger railfan.com/union-backs-... Latest for @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social

Union Backs UP-NS Merger

In return for the union’s support, UP and NS officials have stated that all SMART-TD members working in train and yardmaster service would be guaranteed a job.

railfan.com

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Reposted by Justin Franz

Railfan & Railroad Magazine @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social · Sep 25

Railroad journalist and columnist Don Phillips died on September 23 after a years-long illness. He was 83. railfan.com/don-phillips...

Don Phillips, Railroad Journalist, Dies at 83

Railroad journalist and columnist Don Phillips died on September 23 after a years-long illness. He was 83.

railfan.com

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Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · Sep 22

For the first time in more than a year, Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 2816 appeared in public under steam for the premiere of a new documentary about CPKC's Final Spike Steam Tour railfan.com/cp-2816-make... Latest for @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social

CP 2816 Makes Appearance at Calgary Film Premiere

The event marked the first time in more than a year that Canadian Pacific H1b 4-6-4 2816 appeared in public and under steam.

railfan.com

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Reposted by Justin Franz

Railfan & Railroad Magazine @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social · Sep 18

Regular freight service has returned to the Washington, Idaho & Montana Railway railfan.com/freight-serv...

Freight Service Resumes on Washington, Idaho & Montana

Regular freight service resumed on an Idaho short line for the first time in seven years on September 10.

railfan.com

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Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · Sep 17

Full Steam Ahead www.distinctlymontana.com/full-steam-a...
A small group of volunteers works to restore a vintage steam locomotive in Missoula that once worked in logging camps and even starred in a Hollywood film. My latest for Distinctly Montana Magazine.

Full Steam Ahead

"My wife told me that I needed a project to stay busy, and I think she meant for me to paint the bathroom or fix the railings on the back porch," he said. "But instead, I began restoring a full-size s...

www.distinctlymontana.com

Justin Franz @justinfranz.bsky.social · Sep 17

It's the best. A weekend in Ely is always good for the soul.

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