To say that the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (Rock Island) was in a financial slump by the 1930s is an understatement. The 30 years of mismanagement followed by the Great Depression took its toll. To revitalize the railroad, incoming CEO Edward M. Durham embraced the streamlined train craze, adopting the fitting name “Rocket” […]
The Elizabethtown Public Library in Elizabethtown, Pa. has announced dates and times for the popular annual Train Guys Christmas Toy Train exhibit. The display is 65 feet long by 18 feet wide and capable of running 20 trains simultaneously. It features 53 pushbuttons on the display’s perimeter, where visitors can activate trains and accessories. New […]
Former Editor Neil Besougloff purchased this manuscript in 2002, and wondered why it hadn’t been used. I found the answer while scanning the slides–the photo quality is not great. While the photos are not usable in print, I hope they find some value in this online version. I’ve also learned that author Peter J. Corrigan […]
The New York Central System was a vast and legendary railroad, connecting the East Coast to the Mississippi River. A key component — let alone multiples — to its long-lasting status as a powerhouse was the subsidiary railroads. Though operating under the Class I system, many of these New York Central components maintained distinct identities […]
Railroads with cumbersome names that can be a mouthful to say and a headache to remember often opted for nicknames. These aliases served to enhance brand identity and solidify their legacy. Commonly, railroads used city names in their nicknames, as seen with the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific, popularly known as the Milwaukee Road. […]
WEST CHESTER, Pa. — The West Chester Railroad Heritage Association is continuing efforts to raise $85,000 for the exterior restoration of the Glen Mills train station, built in 1882 by the Pennsylvania Railroad on its West Chester line. Glen Mills and its ornate brick structure was served by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority until 1986. […]
Like its Midwest rivals, the Chicago & North Western Railway jumped on the idea of brand-named passenger trains. However, it took a different route with the name in the form of a three-digit number: 400. The name [or number] stuck as the railroad rolled out a prominent fleet of Chicago & North Western 400 passenger […]
The Baltimore & Ohio’s passenger terminal in Chicago was Grand Central Station, built in 1890 to the plans of noted architect S. S. Bemen. The Wisconsin Central Railroad actually commissioned the station, but later sold it to the B&O; other users were Chicago Great Western and Pere Marquette. Grand Central was razed in 1970; its […]
Chicago has always had a plethora of terminal railroads. Many have come and gone, but a handful with historical roots dating to the late 19th Century are still active today, and vital to keeping the freight and passenger traffic consistently moving in and out of the city. These are Historical Chicago terminal railroads that are […]
Join Trains.com Staff Writer Lucas Iverson as he reviews the Lionel Legacy O gauge (1:48) USRA 2-8-2 Heavy Mikado Soo Line No. 1003 , featuring video of the model operating on the Milwaukee Lionel RR Club and the 1:1 scale steam locomotive too! This Legacy model boasts detailed construction, stack and whistle steam, and is easily […]
ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — The Friends of the East Broad Top has launched its 2026 fundraising campaign, which seeks to raise $350,000 for projects including the heritage railroad’s ongoing “March to Saltillo” extension of its operable trackage. The 2026 campaign, announced last weekend in connection with the annual EBT Fall Reunion, follows a 2025 campaign […]
HOBOKEN, N.J. — NJ Transit is partnering with three other organizations for a “Meet Our Rail Fleet” event — featuring displays of historical equipment and an opportunity to learn about careers with the transit agency — set for Sunday, Oct. 12, at Hoboken Terminal. The event — in conjunction with the United Railroad Historical Society […]
