AAPRCO cars make another Chicago-area trip

Train with orange and maroon observation car at end backs toward camera

CHICAGO — Private cars visiting Chicago as part of the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners’ annual convention made another journey on local transit lines on Sunday, Sept. 4, traveling a route including Metra and South Shore lines. As was the case on Saturday —when the private cars visited Metra’s Milwaukee West, Milwaukee North, […]

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News photos: Private car special on Metra (updated)

Passenger car with observation platform meets commuter train at station

CHICAGO — Metra operated a passenger special Saturday, Sept. 3, for members of the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners from Chicago Union Station and return, operating on Metra’s Milwaukee West and Milwaukee North lines. The train’s route took it to Elgin, Ill., on Metra’s Milwaukee West line. The special then retraced most of […]

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Lionel 1926 Cardinals Train Set review

Lionel 1926 Cardinals Train Set overall view

Lionel’s 1926 Cardinals Train Set was kind of hidden in the pages of the 2021 Lionel Volume I “Big Book” behind the re-release of the 2-10-10-2; the Mohawks and Camelbacks; the Acela sets; and the Asa Packer, New Hope & Ivyland consists. It’s a high-end Legacy outfit that features a newly cataloged 4-6-2 Pacific steam […]

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Effort in Iowa attempts to mobilize opponents to CP-KCS merger

Train of tank cars curves under bridge in rainstorm

DAVENPORT, Iowa — While three of the affected cities have already reached agreement with the railroad, an Iowa group is trying to organize opposition to Canadian Pacific’s merger with Kansas City Southern over the projected impact on community’s along the CP route following the Mississippi River. KWQC-TV reports a Tuesday press conference organized by the […]

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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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