American Car & Foundry 2,980-cubic-foot Center Flow covered hopper Scale: N (1:160) Price: $44.98 Era: 1985+ Manufacturer: Produced by Micro-Trains Line Co., available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com Features: Injection-molded plastic construction Separate roof, end cages, and stirrup steps Factory-installed brake wheel and four round hatch covers Two-piece outlet gates Pin-mounted roller-bearing trucks Plastic wheelsets […]
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Pennsy Santa train ride: There is an indelible link between kids, trains, and Christmas; even the mighty Pennsylvania Railroad found a way to offer a Santa train ride to kids. Growing up in 1950s Fort Wayne, Ind., I remember the Pennsylvania Railroad as a prominent player in the city’s life. Also prominent was Fort […]
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DAVENPORT, Iowa — Davenport’s aldermen have approved an agreement with Canadian Pacific in which the railroad will provide up to $10 million to mitigate impacts of the planned merger with Kansas City Southern, which could triple freight traffic through the city. In return, the city will not oppose the merger. The vote at Wednesday’s city […]
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Grade-separation projects in Springfield, Ill., and Sheffield, Ala., are among the latest projects to receive grants under the Department of Transportation’s RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) program. In Springfield, a $19.8 million grant will fund an overpass at North Grand Avenue over Norfolk Southern and Illinois Midland rail lines. In a press […]
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Rock Island FA diesels 151 and 145 doublehead with 4-8-4 5119 on a westbound freight at Joliet, Ill., in fall 1951. The train is passing JD tower, where RI crossed the Santa Fe and GM&O. Wallace W. Abbey photo […]
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DESHLER, Ohio — After years of neglect, the former Baltimore & Ohio railroad station in Deshler, the community known as “Crossroads of the B&O,” is coming down. The building last saw a passenger train in 1971, has been closed since the 1990s, and was damaged by a coal hopper in an April 2002 derailment. The […]
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PORT HURON, Mich. — The Port Huron & Detroit Railroad Historical Society, which has dissolved its non-profit organization and is ending operations, has created a heritage organization to receive its remaining assets of more than $85,000. WGRT radio reports the society has created the Tunnel City Railway and Transportation Fund, a collaboration with the Community […]
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Two of Missouri Pacific’s 25 2-8-4 Berkshires, built by Lima in 1935, get under way with a freight at St. Louis. H. F. Harvey coll. […]
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GARY, Ind. — South Shore Line commuter rail service has entered a new phase of busing as part of the continuing project to double track the main line between Gary and Michigan City, Ind. As of Saturday, Aug. 6, a bus bridge is operating between the Gary Metro station and Carroll Avenue station in Michigan […]
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HARTFORD, Wis.— Soo Line No. 1003, the 1913-vintage Alco 2-8-2 operated by the Steam Locomotive Heritage Association, made a rare weekend trip to Chicago for a Metra Family Days event at the commuter operator’s Western Avenue yard. The locomotive and its short train headed south on Friday, April 5, beginning its trip in Metra territory […]
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CHICAGO — Amtrak has canceled plans to offer Polar Express holiday rides from Chicago Union Station in 2022, citing ongoing staff shortages. A message on the Polar Express Union Station Facebook page cites “a system-wide shortage of railroad personnel” that means there are not enough crews to operate the trains. “We have enjoyed operating the […]
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BLUE ISLAND, Ill. — No injuries were reported after a Metra train derailed Saturday morning, Aug. 6, near the Vermont Avenue station in Blue Island. Train No. 205, the first Saturday morning Rock Island District train from Chicago to Joliet, derailed about 9:15 a.m.. WFLD-TV reports the locomotive and one car of the train derailed. […]
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