News photos: Siemens Amtrak car heads to Canada for testing

Freight locomotive and passenger car pass ornate white two-story passenger station

A single Siemens Venture car, part of the Amtrak Midwest operations, traveled over Canadian Pacific and Canadian National lines in Ontario on Saturday, Dec. 3., en route from Sacramento, Calif., to Canada’s National Research Uplands Campus in Ottawa for testing The special train, Union Pacific SD70ACe No. 8821 and the Siemens car, SIIX 4301, is […]

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Metra to add trains on three lines, adjust schedules on fourth

Commuter train with blue and silver locomotive arrives at brick station with central tower

CHICAGO — Metra will increase service on three lines — including significant additions on the Milwaukee District North and Milwaukee District West routes — and adjust schedules on a fourth effective Monday, Dec. 12, the commuter operator has announced. In all, 28 trains will be added. The North Central Service will see one new round trip, […]

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The Post cereal plant in Battle Creek, Michigan layout in N scale

The N scale Post cereal plant layout

Facts & features Name: Post cereal plant in Battle Creek, Michigan Scale: N (1:160) Size: 12-0′ x 14-0′ Prototypes:  Grand Trunk Western and Penn Central Locale: Battle Creek, Michigan Era: 1970s Style: Single deck Mainline run: Not applicable Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3 percent Benchwork: L-girder with risers and open-grid […]

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The HO scale Post cereal plant in Battle Creek, Michigan layout

The track plan for the HO scale Post cereal plant in BattleCreek, Michigan

Facts & features Name: Post cereal plant in Battle Creek, Michigan Scale: HO (1:87) Size: 12-0′ x 14-0′ Prototypes:  Grand Trunk Western and Penn Central Locale: Battle Creek, Michigan Era: 1970s Style: Single deck Mainline run: Not applicable Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2 percent Benchwork: L-girder with risers and open-grid […]

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KCS launches Holiday Express challenge fundraiser

Flatcar decorated to look like steam locomotive, covered with holiday lights

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern has launched a challenge grant fundraiser in connection with the return of its KCS Holiday Express train, matching donations through Dec. 16 to benefit The Salvation Army. KCS CEO Patrick J. Ottensmeyer said Tuesday that the railroad would donate $2 for every $1 raised by the Holiday Express […]

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Indiana Rail Road’s Santa Train set for 2022 run

Logo for Indiana Rail Road Santa Train

INDIANAPOLIS — After a pandemic cancellation in 2020 and a modified form of operation in 2021, the Indiana Rail Road’s Santa Train returns to its traditional format this weekend, making 12 stops over three days Friday through Sunday, Dec. 2-4. The train’s stops will offer guests the chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, […]

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The Missouri-Kansas-Texas logo’s heritage

Woman with hand outstretched next to Missouri-Kansas-Texas logo

Missouri-Kansas-Texas logo underwent subtle changes throughout the railroad’s history. But its origin is more interesting than these iterative changes. In his history of the Katy, J. Parker Lamb mentions the different incarnations of Katy’s corporate herald over the years, but where did the road’s uniquely shaped emblem come from? According to Freeman Hubbard in his […]

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Biggest steam switcher: Union Railroad’s 0-10-2

Three quarter view of front of biggest steam switcher locomotive in yard

The biggest steam switcher stood head and shoulders above the rest.     In the steam era, switch engines came in basically three sizes: 0-4-0, 0-6-0, and 0-8-0. They ranged from diminutive shop switchers — typically 0-4-0s, pretty much a pre-1900 machine — to huge switchers such as Indiana Harbor Belt’s three U-4a class 0-8-0s […]

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Three-way crossing at Tuscola, Ill.

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The small east-central Illinois town of Tuscola hosted an at-grade crossing of three railroads: Illinois Central (double-track, now Canadian National), Baltimore & Ohio (lower left, now CSX), and Chicago & Eastern Illinois (lower right, now UP). Gordon E. Lloyd photo […]

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