Trains increasing speed throughout IU campus

Trains travelling through the IU campus began increasing their speed from 10 to 25 miles per hour Oct. 15.

“Since the Indiana Rail Road was founded in 1986, we have invested nearly $150 million of our own private capital to create a state-of-the-art, heavy-haul infrastructure, and our improvements in Bloomington represent an important step forward in terms of moving freight more efficiently,” Tom Hoback, Indiana Rail Road Company founder, president and chief executive officer, said in a press release.

The time it takes for a mile-long train to pass a grade crossing will decrease from six to about two minutes.

The rail line is private property and new “no trespassing” signs have been put up.

“All we ask of students and local residents is to look both ways before crossing the tracks, do not trespass on or alongside the railroad as it is private property, and never, ever try to beat a train to a crossing,” Hoback said. “It’s never worth the risk, and more efficient movement of trains through Bloomington will help everyone continue on their way — safely.”

— Sydney Murray