Matt Carne – 2026 ASLRRA Safety Professional of the Year
ASLRRA Recognizes 2026 Safety Professional of the Year – Matt Carne of Modesto & Empire Traction Company! The Safety Professional of the Year is open to any professional safety management employee of an ASLRRA Class II or Class III member railroad who is responsible for safety programs, training and the overall management of safe behavior […]
Jared Martin – ASLRRA Pacific Region Board Member
Jared Martin, Vice President of Rail Operations at Modesto and Empire Traction Company, serves as a Pacific Region Board Member for the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association. https://www.aslrra.org/about-us/about-aslrra/governance/board-of-directors/
Safety First – Railway Age Features Short-Line Safety Institute
RAILWAY AGE, JULY 2025 ISSUE: SLSI has been serving the industry for 10 years with SCAs and educational training programs, providing the roadmap for short line and regional railroads to improve safety culture. https://www.railwayage.com/freight/short-lines-regionals/safety-first/
More Money for Rail in California: US DOT Awards $279 Million
Department of Transportation grants are for improving safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla announced that twelve California rail infrastructure projects will receive $279 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program. Recipients range from major passenger […]
Railroad crossings have frustrated Modesto drivers for years. How a new grant can help
The Modesto and Empire Traction Co. has run freight trains for local industries for more than a century. It now has a $12.2 million federal grant aimed at safer and cleaner operations. The railroad runs in and near the vast Beard Industrial District, near Modesto’s southeast corner. It has 35 customers, mostly food and beverage […]
Hear about cleaner engines for Modesto railroad
Modesto and Empire Traction Co. received a grant that will retrofit two locomotives with low-polluting components and upgrade 22 locations where streets cross the tracks. The railroad must provide a match equal to 30% of the award. https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article279968834.html
Modesto’s local freight railroad will be safer and cleaner thanks to $12.2 million grant
The Modesto and Empire Traction Co. has run freight trains for local industries for more than a century. It now has a $12.2 million federal grant aimed at safer and cleaner operations. The railroad runs in and near the vast Beard Industrial District, near Modesto’s southeast corner. It has 35 customers, mostly food and beverage companies […]
Dillon Olvera – BNSF Shortline Caucus Member
Dillon Olvera, President & CEO of Modesto and Empire Traction Company, serves on the BNSF Shortline Caucus. BNSF’s Shortline Caucus was established to improve communication between BNSF and its connecting shortlines. The caucus includes 14 shortline members, along with the President of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA). https://www.bnsf.com/ship-with-bnsf/ways-of-shipping/shortline-services/shortline-caucus.page