Progressive Rail in Minnesota has acquired another series of freight cars, labeled ALKX for it's Airlake Industrial Park subsidary. This series is in the 8001-8005 group and joins the former tropicana boxcars, ALKX 3001-3010 3bay covered hoppers in salt service, and PGR 4001-4005 series, 60' flatcars. PGR's Wisconsin Northern subsidary had an excellant first month and talks are ongoing with a number of new potential customers. The line will get a pair of GP15's sometime in February. The leased Iowa northern units will then go back. The LLPX in conrail colors is reported to be heading back to MN in the next week. Traffic has been above what was expected. If anyone is close to Raliegh in Carolina please watch for PGR blue boxcars. This is new traffic carrying sugar from Renville MN. The PGR cars are used becouse they have special bulkheads for securing the load. The first 2 cars are enroute now. Also anyone near Oakes North Dakota please watch for PGR 1317, a silverish boxcar on it's first revenue move since PGR acquired it and 15 others from NS back in February 04. All for now JPF
Is there a site on the web, where I can see more information about the Wisconsin Northern? Boxcab E50
There is no website dedicated to the WN. From what I hear out of the company, there will not be one. Joe
There is a Yahoo group now deidcated to both PGR and the WN. PGRRail and WisconsinNorthern are the site names. Everyone is welcome to join. PGR has created another subsidary to own another series of freight cars. These cars are former CN 52'6" gondolas for scrap loading on PGR's Highline division in Bloomington. The cars carry the reporting marks of STWX, for Steel Wheels Leasing. There are 9 cars in the group with more planned. They retain their CN numbers and paint. WN has acquired 2 GP-15's for it's line and they are painted in a green and black scheme. These units are due in WI by the end of the month. The leased Iowa Northern units will be missed as they have been spectacular. Joe
