Long-stalled Kenosha-Milwaukee commuter rail proposal gets new, if limited, state support

Commuter train arrives at platform with another train stopped on adjacent track

MILWAUKEE — The state of Wisconsin has filed a brief document with the Federal Transit Administration in support of a private corporation’s plan to provide commuter rail service between Milwaukee and Kenosha, Wis. — a long-discussed but moribund project dating to 1998. The two-page “Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Commuter Rail Project Development Profile” was filed by the Wisconsin […]

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Agency pursuing Reading-Philadelphia passenger service picks consultant

Portion of map showing existing and proposed rail routes in the Northeast

READING, Pa. — The recently created agency to revive passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia has selected a consultant for the project. Patch.com reports the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority voted to employ Washington, D.C., based Transportation for America as consultant, subject to review of the contract by the authority’s solicitor. Transportation Economics & […]

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Superliner dining on Amtrak

Amtrak Empire Dining

A significant part of the Amtrak long-distance service centers around the onboard dining experience. Rightfully so, as there’s nothing better than enjoying a good meal paired with stunning scenery! When traveling on Amtrak’s premier long-distance trains, sleeping car passengers are provided with complimentary meals in the dining car, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Amtrak’s website […]

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Amtrak Superliner roomettes adventure

When riding aboard an Amtrak long-distance train, you’ll find that reserving a sleeping car accommodation is a great way to make your trek more relaxing and enjoyable! The most economical of sleeping car options is a Superliner Roomette. By day, this space features two facing seats. By night, a Roomette converts into two berths, an […]

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LGB Santa Fe F7 locomotive review

LGB F7 Santa Fe large scale

These LGB Santa Fe F7 locomotives are nice looking and good runners, too. The powered A unit (no. 21576) has many separately applied details and cab doors that can be opened. Both trucks are driven by Bühler motors with ball bearings and the wheels have traction tires. The locomotive has a built-in mfx/DCC decoder with […]

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Amtrak Hiawatha service highlights

Amtrak locomotive at passenger station

Amtrak Hiawatha service highlights Amtrak runs daily trains called the Hiawatha Service between Milwaukee and Chicago. This service provides easy access for those living in Southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois to the downtown centers of both cities. There are six daily trains in both directions, an additional train at peak morning commute times during weekdays, […]

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Amtrak LionChief 2.0 Genesis shines in traditional O gauge

Lionel LionChief 2.0 Genesis

National passenger carrier Amtrak recently turned 50 years old. To mark the occasion, Lionel has released a LionChief 2.0 version of its P42 Genesis locomotive. These engines will run on O-31 curves and they’re loaded with detail. They feature operating couplers front and rear, a nice pilot with MU detail, ditch lights, headlights, a spectacular […]

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Amtrak roomette experience on the Empire Builder

Man sitting in a roomette.

Amtrak roomette experience While I’ve ridden a lot of trains, until this summer, I’d never tried any of Amtrak’s sleeping car services. So when my wife and I recently traveled to Minnesota to visit friends, we decided to book a roomette on Amtrak’s Empire Builder between Chicago and St. Paul as a test, before considering […]

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Fuel freight trains to be given priority in Germany

Black electric locomotive hauling unit train of black coal hoppers

German rail network operators will be able to override existing contracts to prioritize the transport of oil and coal for power generation — potentially delaying passenger and other freight service — under a draft emergency law published last week by the German government. The rule also covers moves of heavy equipment, such as transformers, needed […]

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Fourteen states and five steaks on Amtrak

Amtrak diesel engine in front of freight train at night

Fourteen states on Amtrak I’ve been riding on trains since I was 2 years old. Although those trips were short and on scenic railroads, my love for trains increased as I got older. From watching high-speed Acela and Northeast Regional trainsets fly by while visiting the Northeast Corridor to watching videos of the stunning views […]

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