By Railfan & Railroad

LINCOLN, Neb. — BNSF Railway and Omaha Public Power District are reopening a 62-mile rail line between South Lincoln and Nebraska City, Neb., to move coal beginning Jan. 1, 2021. 

Most of the rail line is owned by the power company and was last used in the early 2000s when BNSF lost the contract to move coal to the Nebraska City Power Station to Union Pacific. Following a public bidding process earlier this year, BNSF won the contract back. 

This week, BNSF began running a 40-car train nightly from Lincoln to Nebraska City and back to train crews on the route and compact the ballast. The Lincoln Journal Star reports that additional runs are expected on Dec. 19 and 20 in daylight. Trains are expected to be operating at reduced speeds during these initial runs. At least one train a day is expected on the route beginning Jan. 1.