Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway remembered

Green-and-yellow diesel locomotives with freight train in yard

Four events highlight the history of the Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway: two spectacular accidents, a visiting steam locomotive, and a murder. Remarkable is that the TP&W rebounded from the negative incidents to last through 1983, when it was merged into the Santa Fe Railway. After three years, though, Santa Fe wanted out, and the […]

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The Trains Interview: Preservation priorities

Man standing in front of two steam locomotives

World events the past two years have kept people from doing what they enjoy. Communities have endured a near-two-year-long pandemic and are navigating the highest inflation in 40 years. Conflict overseas is rattling economies and threatening financial stability. Such events underscore the need for  rail preservation groups, who rely on those to share in their […]

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Another Amtrak employee files suit over Chief derailment

Amtrak logo.

KEYTESVILLE, Mo. — A Hemet, Calif., man has become at least the third Amtrak employee to file suit against the passenger carrier over the June derailment of the Southwest Chief. KMIZ-TV reports Matthew Rafferty has filed suit against Amtrak and MS Contracting, owner of the truck that was hit at a grade crossing, derailing the […]

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News Photo: Merchants Bridge gets final span

Aerial view of steel structure being moved by boats

ST. LOUIS — The final span for the rebuilding of the Terminal Railroad Association’s Merchants Bridge, the key Mississippi River crossing dating to 1889, was moved into place as scheduled on Friday, Aug. 26. The $222 million project to rebuild the 4,340-foot bridge began in 2018, and will double the capacity of the double-track structure […]

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Ex-Wheeling 2-8-4 on the NKP in Cleveland

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A former Wheeling & Lake Erie 2-8-4, identifiable as such by its inside-bearing pony truck, footboards in lieu of a pilot, and other details, soars above “The Flats” area of Cleveland with a Nickel Plate Road local freight in the 1950s. NKP acquired the Wheeling in 1949. Herbert H. Harwood photo […]

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More Chicago Amtrak cancellations

Passenger train along track lined by weeds

CHICAGO — Lack of serviceable equipment and qualified staff have again caused a series of Amtrak state-supported service cancellations out of Chicago. Late last week, the company announced morning eastbound Wolverine service train No. 350 to Pontiac, Mich., and its evening return counterpart, No. 355, would be cancelled today (Monday, Aug. 29) through Friday, Sept. […]

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Dates set for Minnesota steam locomotive’s return to operation

Steam locomotive with vintage freight cars under huge plume of black smoke

DULUTH, Minn. — After a two-year hiatus, the Lake Superior Railroad Museum’s North Shore Scenic Railroad will return Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 2-8-0 No. 332 to service in September The locomotive will pull trains between Duluth and Two Harbors, Minn. Sept. 10-11 and 24-25. Trains will depart Duluth at 10:00 a.m. each day. No. 332 […]

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Amtrak Coach-class travel aboard the Empire Builder

Amtrak looks to expand its services and routes across the nation, including the Upper Midwest. In this candid look at Coach-class travel aboard the Empire Builder between St. Paul, Minn., and Milwaukee, Wis., you’ll discover how easy and comfortable it is to travel about the United States by passenger train. First-time traveler Gerry Leone has […]

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Amtrak Coach-class travel aboard the Empire Builder

Amtrak looks to expand its services and routes across the nation, including the Upper Midwest. In this candid look at Coach-class travel aboard the Empire Builder between St. Paul, Minn., and Milwaukee, Wis., you’ll discover how easy and comfortable it is to travel about the United States by passenger train. First-time traveler Gerry Leone has […]

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News photos: Completing the Merchants Bridge

Aerial view of bridge with missing span, with old span on barge in foreground

ST. LOUIS — The third span of the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis’ Merchants Bridge, the Mississippi River crossing which has been undergoing rebuilding since 2018, is slated to be floated into place today (Friday, Aug. 26). Trains News Wire will provide updates as photos become available. As of midday, as shown in these […]

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St. Louis Merchants Bridge project reaches final major milestone

Red crane hovers over bridge truses in front of St. Louis Arch

ST. LOUIS — The culmination of the Merchant’s Bridge rebuild project, which began in 2018, is scheduled to take place today (Friday, Aug. 26), with the third and final new span being floated into place on the Mississippi River. Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA) owns the bridge. The 4,340-foot-long bridge, completed in 1889, […]

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