American Steam group conducts successful steam tests on T-1 No. 2100

Front view of steam locomotive with wisp of smoke rising from stack

CLEVELAND — The American Steam Railroad Preservation Association’s restoration of Reading Co. T-1 No. 2100 has reached a major milestone with successful steam tests of the locomotive. The tests of the boiler, piping, and water delivery systems took place April 3-4, with contractors on hand. They were made possible when the organization was able to […]

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Storms impact CSX, Norfolk Southern service

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Both CSX and Norfolk Southern are reporting operational impacts from the severe weather that has hit the Ohio Valley and the South since Friday. CSX, in a customer advisory issued today (Sunday, April 6), says it has implemented “network-wide measures” to address the weather situation. Its South West Region has been most affected, with the […]

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Amtrak weather cancellations continue (updated)

Passenger train on curve

CHICAGO — Amtrak weather cancellations are continuing today (Sunday, April 6) as the center of the country continues to deal with a storm system leaving widespread flooding and other damage. According to the Amtrak Alerts social media feed, The City of New Orleans, which had been cancelled outright on Friday and Saturday, today will not […]

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Weather leads to Amtrak cancellations in Midwest (updated)

City of New Orleans hurries through Matteson, Ill., on May 21, 2020

CHICAGO — A major, slow-moving storm has led to a flurry of Amtrak cancellations today (Friday, April 4) in the Midwest. Cancellations today, according to the Amtrak Alerts social media feed, include: — Both directions of the Texas Eagle between St. Louis and Marshall, Texas; — Both directions of the City of New Orleans; — […]

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Wind blamed for derailment of CSX intermodal train

CSX logo

FOSTORIA, Ohio — High winds are being blamed for the derailment of 18 cars of a CSX intermodal train near Fostoria early Thursday, WTOL-TV reports. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that it called to the scene at approximately 12:42 a.m. after being informed of the derailment. The train was stationary […]

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Englewood engines

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The Pennsylvania Railroad liked to double-head K4s Pacifics on heavy passenger trains. Here, the second section of eastbound train 76, the Trail Blazer, leaves Englewood, Ill., in south suburban Chicago in January 1941. Paul Eilenberger, Harold Stinton collection […]

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Double trouble

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After doubling its train together at Clare Yard in Cincinnati, train 78 prepares to depart east for Portsmouth, Ohio, over the Peavine in December 1959. Doubling the train blocked the Pennsylvania’s main line diamond at Clare. Tom Smart, J. David Ingles collection […]

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South Shore hoping to open West Lake line in August or September

Map of 8-mile branch on South Shore Line

CHESTERTON, Ind. — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District remains hopeful that it can open the South Shore Line’s new West Lake Corridor in late August or early September, but that would require shaving more than a month off the contractors’ current estimate. Lakeshore Public Media reports NICTD President Mike Noland told the agency’s board […]

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Young Guns in Preservation: Christopher Schmidt

Selfie of individual in front of a trolley

Wisconsin’s East Troy Railroad Museum garners an impressive volunteer base. Many are young individuals with a keen interest in preserving and operating the 7-mile, electric interurban line, along with its collection of trolleys and streetcars. Those volunteers made a lasting impression on 31-year-old Christopher Schmidt, who now wears multiple hats for the organization by volunteering […]

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East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 6 | Installing subroadbed

David keeps the hammer down and drill humming, as he works to install the joists and subroadbed sections across the entire HO scale East Troy Industrial Park (ETIP) model railroad. Watch, learn, and discover clever insights to adding the critical components used to create realistic trackwork and scenery set at various elevations. Be sure to […]

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