Breaking through the budget

The rise in the capital program of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern and Iowa, Chicago & Eastern (DM&E/IC&E) railroads by four times, leading to a breakthrough in the budget, is discussed. The allocation of the Railroad Revitalization Improvement Financing (RRIF) funds was determined by marketing information and engineering information. With the latest RRIF funds, the railroads embarked on an ambitious capital program. Scheduling, material availability, and coordination between departments and crews, presented challenges while working with on the program. One interesting facet of the program was the decision to post weekly updates on the companies' Website, allowing anyone to follow the program's progress.