Louisville & Nashville M-1 2-8-4 1954 (a “Big Emma”) pushes behind the caboose of a northbound coal train on the big Red River bridge south of Winchester, Ky., in May 1952. Ed Theisinger photo […]
“Big Emma” helping a coal train
Zone & Region: Midwest
Ohio governor issues new evacuation order for East Palestine, warning of possible tank car explosion (updated)
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and officials in Columbiana County have issued a new evacuation order tonight (Sunday, Feb. 5) for those within a mile of the site of Friday’s derailment of a Norfolk Southern train, warning of a possible tank car explosion, WHIO-TV reports. Also, National Transportation Safety Board investigators have […]
Vinyl chloride involved in fire from NS derailment, village says
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — The chemical burning in the fire resulting from Friday’s derailment of a Norfolk Southern train is the flammable gas vinyl chloride, a potentially carcinogenic substance. The village of East Palestine identified the material in a news release Saturday afternoon, NBC News reports. The Environmental Protection Agency says “cancer is a major […]
Amtrak Chicago departure delays mount
CHICAGO — Lack of standby equipment and the inability of Amtrak mechanical forces to sufficiently prepare cars and locomotives for service led to the cancellation of one pair of Chicago-based trains and departure delays to 11 others on Thursday, Feb. 2. The cancellation of one Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha round trip, and the cumulative delays to the […]
Norfolk Southern derailment in Ohio continues to burn (updated)
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — The mayor of the town of East Palestine has declared a state of emergency as a fire continues to burn, following Friday night’s derailment of about 50 cars of a Norfolk Southern train near the Ohio-Pennsylvania state line. WKBN-TV reports Mayor Trent Conaway issued the emergency declaration just before 9:30 a.m. […]
Operating the layout — State Line Route in N scale, Episode 26
Operating the layout | In the previous Episode 25 (Car routing with JMRI OperationsPro), you saw the crew prepare the State Line Route N scale model railroad for an operating session. Now, host David Popp walks you through the prototypical actions as they transpire over the simple, yet engaging layout! Enjoying this coverage of our […]
Union Pacific Silvis Donation Special
In November 2022, a special train left Cheyenne, Wyo., bound for the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America’s steam shops in Silvis, Ill. The move marked the end of one era and the beginning of a new one, as the Union Pacific, the only Class I railroad in North America with a steam program, decided to […]
Former Rock Island bridge to be turned into Kansas City entertainment venue
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Work will begin in March to convert a former Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad bridge into an entertainment venue, the Kansas City Star reports. The bridge, built by the Rock Island in 1905, crosses the Kansas River in the city’s West Bottoms area. It has been idle since the 1970s […]
Five Burlington Northern kitbashes
Kitbashing is a facet of the hobby many model railroaders enjoy. Full-size railroads modify equipment, too. As I was combing through my photo collection and images in our David P. Morgan Memorial Library, I found five Burlington Northern kitbashes. Hopefully one or more of these cars will inspire your next modeling project. Want more Burlington […]
Minnesota governor’s budget calls for funding second Chicago-Twin Cities train
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has included more than $5 million in funding for a second Chicago-Twin Cities passenger train in his recommendations for the state’s 2024-24 budgets. The La Crosse Tribune reports the recommendations include increases in the state funding in capital projects to reflect inflation, as well as funds to […]
Equipment issues, derailment lead to Wolverine cancellations (updated)
CHICAGO — Citing “ongoing equipment issues,” Amtrak has cancelled one round trip of Wolverine service between Chicago and Detroit on Thursday, following similar cancellations today (Wednesday, Feb. 1), as well as other disruptions because of a Canadian National derailment Tuesday night in Detroit. Equipment problems are also being cited for a series of delays on […]
Chicago council approves deal allowing Norfolk Southern to move ahead with yard expansion
CHICAGO — Norfolk Southern’s effort to expand its 47th Street Yard on Chicago’s South Side has finally cleared a regulatory hurdle from the Chicago City Council. The Chicago Tribune reports that the council voted today (Wednesday, Feb. 1) to approve the land deal necessary for the railroad to expand the yard southward by adding intermodal […]
