Milwaukee class A Atlantic

Streamlined 4-4-2 Atlantic-type steam locomotive below bridge

Brand-new Milwaukee Road class A 4-4-2 No. 4 stands for a portrait at the road’s West Milwaukee Shops on Sept. 15, 1937. Alco built class As Nos. 1 and 2 in 1935, No. 3 in 1936, and No. 4 — the final one — in 1937. All were for the Hiawathas. Classic Trains coll. […]

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L&N heavy Mikado 1852

Stationary steam locomotive underneath coaling tower

L&N heavy Mikado 1852 A hostler tends to the fire of Louisville & Nashville class J-4 2-8-2 No. 1852 at South Louisville on Sept. 8, 1951. The 165 J-4 and J-4A USRA heavy Mikados of 1918–27 were the backbone of L&N’s freight fleet. Jack Fravert photo […]

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Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society acquires depot

Weathered wooden railroad station being passed by steam locomotive

PLEASANT LAKE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has acquired the 141-year-old railroad station in Pleasant Lake to serve as headquarters for the Indiana Rail Experience, the tourist rail partnership of the society and the short line Indiana Northeastern Railroad. The acquisition was made possible through a grant to develop a station and […]

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Enlarging an L&N turntable

Louisville and Nashville Railroad Kentucky engine terminal

In 1948, construction crews at Louisville & Nashville’s engine terminal in Hazard, Ky., work to enlarge the turntable to accommodate new class M-1 2-8-4s being built by Lima. The 98½-foot-long “Big Emmas” were the L&N’s largest locomotives. L&N photo […]

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Minnesota tourist railroads you must visit

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From the Twin Cities to the Twin Ports, Minnesota’s tourist railroads, museums, and displays preserve a vast history of iron and steel that crisscrossed the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” With help from Trains Magazine’s Tourist Trains Guidebook, let’s explore the Gopher State’s must-visits. Minnesota Tourist Railroads and Museums Minneapolis-St. Paul Minnesota Transportation Museum – 193 […]

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Norfolk Southern to open permanent office in East Palestine

Norfolk Southern logo

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Norfolk Southern will open a permanent field office in East Palestine and has purchased property for that facility, the company announced on Tuesday. The building at 248 North Market Street will include community engagement and operational functions. It will eventually include the Family Assistance Center, currently in space leased from Centenary […]

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Landowners sue BNSF over damage from 2018 derailment

BNSF Railway logo

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Landowners at the site of a 2018 derailment near Doon, Iowa, are suing BNSF Railway, seeking damages for cleanup costs and reduced property values from oil spilled in the incident. The Sioux City Journal reports Philip, Kirsti, John, and Helen Kooima of Rock Valley, Iowa, have sued BNSF for negligence over […]

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Chicago street project changes Union Station access

Map showing traffic changes and access points at Chicago Union Station

CHICAGO — Access to Chicago Union Station will change beginning this evening (Monday, Aug. 7) as the Chicago Department of Transportation begins an 18-month process to rehabilitate four viaducts on Canal Street between Taylor and Madison streets. As a result, no vehicle access to Union Station between West Adams Street and West Jackson Boulevard, and […]

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Short Amtrak consists of the 2000s

A model passenger train crosses a bridge over water and a freight train

I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour we’ve taken of Amtrak’s short consists throughout the railroad’s history. Starting with the modern era, we then went back in time to the 1970s, then the 80s and 90s. This month, we’re looking at my favorite era of short Amtrak consists. Is it because that’s when I grew up? […]

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