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The first cancellations of Amtrak service have been announced in advance of a winter storm expected to hit a large portion of the nation this weekend. Earlier today (Jan. 3, 2025), the eastbound Southwest Chief departure from Los Angeles, scheduled for 5:19 p.m. PT, for was cancelled because of the forecast of inclement weather, according […]
Trains News Wire’s occasional roundup of noteworthy articles is back for your New Year’s Day enlightment, this time with three recent stories on commuter and passenger rail: — The news site MinnPost looks at Amtrak’s Borealis and barriers to further service; even adding another car to the consist would require negotations. — The Boston Globe […]
OSHKOSH, Wis. — Nancy L. Bartol, a longtime member of the Trains magazine editorial staff and later Kalmbach Publishing Co.’s librarian, died Dec. 29 at age 83. With 43 years at Kalmbach, she was one of the longest-tenured employees in the company’s history, most of her career reporting directly to Trains Editor David P. Morgan. […]
Farewell to the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy | As hosted by Senior Editor Cody Grivno, this salute to Model Railroader magazine’s renowned MR&T (a.k.a “Myrt”) 28 x 54-foot model railroad (Mark II) in HO (1:87) scale, captured historic insights from several influential modelers with firsthand experience working on the treasured layout. Enjoy exclusive clips of the […]
For the second straight year, federal infrastructure spending lands on our review of the year’s top stories (last year, it was tied for No. 6). Some of the dollars awarded in 2023 are part of the 2024 story, as big-ticket projects began moving forward after long waits for financial support, with impacts that will […]
CHANNAHON, Ill. — Canadian National has scheduled an open house for Jan. 14 at Minooka High School South Campus in Channahon to discuss its proposed Chicago Logistics Hub intermodal facility, an approximately 900-acre facility in Channahon and unincorporated land adjacent to Minooka. CN describes the event, from 4-7 p.m. as an open forum, with no […]
Southbound from Milwaukee, Amtrak E9 No. 434 makes its way into Chicago Union Station in 1975. The locomotive is former Milwaukee Road, rebuilt at its Milwaukee Shops. Today, Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service provides seven weekday roundtrips between the Cream City and Windy City. Paul Hoffmann photo […]
THOMPSONVILLE, Ill. — Nineteen cars of a Canadian National coal train derailed Friday near Thompsonville in Southern Illinois, WPSD-TV reports. No injuries were reported. Brian Burgess, director of the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency, told the station that the derailment occurred in a remote area of the county. “It’s just a slip off the track […]
As the Chicago-St. Paul, Minn., Borealis surpassed 100,000 riders a little over five months after its May 21, 2024, debut, the train far exceeded the performance that its state sponsors, passenger rail advocates, and Amtrak had suggested would occur. In fact, Borealis’ origins and public acceptance contain elements that should be weighed heavily when decisions […]
Illinois Central 4-8-2 No. 2606 speeds south with freight CN-3 near Monee, Ill., in June 1953. The tabletop landscape provides for wide-open views, and, often, throttles. Robert R. Malinoski photo […]
N scale Modutrak on Display | Catch up with Host Gerry Leone, as he chats with Keith Kohlman while operating the Modutrack display, an N scale (1:160) layout inspired by the HO scale (1:87.1) Midwest Mod-U-Trak display at Trainfest 2024! Keith reveals insights about the massive modular display that only comes out for big shows! […]
Since 2019, Union Pacific has been in the steam spotlight with its restored 4-8-8-4 Big Boy No. 4014. In 2024, CPKC stole some of 4014’s thunder with its “Final Spike Tour” using Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816. From April to July, No. 2816 operated from Canada through the central U.S. and through Mexico to Mexico […]
