NS announces new plans for first-responder training facility in East Palestine, Ohio

Norfolk Southern logo

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Norfolk Southern will provide a $20 million grant toward construction and operation of a first responder training center in East Palestine, the railroad said on Friday (Nov. 21). Plans for the training center were first announced in the wake of the February 2023 derailment in East Palestine, and a groundbreaking was […]

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News photo: Minnesota Commercial introduces America 250 locomotive

Red, white, and blue GE locomotive

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Commercial Railway has joined the growing number of railroads with locomotives commemorating the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in 2026, introducing B36-7 No. 76 in red, white, and blue paint on Thursday (Nov. 25). The locomotive was built by General Electric in 1985 for Seaboard System. Before coming to Minnesota […]

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Laura Jacobson, museum co-founder, dies

Man and woman standing on turntable in front of steam locomotive. Laura Jacobson, museum co-founder, dies.

Laura (Schlabach) Jacobson, co-founder of the Jerry and Laura Jacobson Foundation, which established the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum in Sugarcreek, Ohio, died on Nov. 18, 2025, the museum announced in a statement today. Jacobson remained on the museum’s board of directors until her death. She was active in the organization’s leadership, helping ensure a […]

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East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 29 | Structures, Riverbeds & Static Grass

Welcome back to the East Troy Industrial Park Project – This episode is a scenic smorgasbord! Starting with the final touches on the weathered HO scale (1:87.1) bridge, you’ll learn the technique for affixing Monroe Models pastel weathering. Then, see how to populate the farm scene with cast-off details, like rusty barrels and a truck, […]

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Chicago Transit Authority announces schedules for Holiday Train, Bus

Decorated rapid-transit train with trailing flatcar featuring Santa Claus

CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Authority has announced the schedule for its 2025 CTA Holiday Fleet, a specially decorated L train and bus that roam the system beginning in late November. The Holiday Bus begins operation on Tuesday, Nov. 25; train operations begin Friday, Nov. 28. Both are sponsored by Allstate. This is the 34th […]

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Driver killed in Elgin, Ill., grade crossing accident had little advance warning: NTSB

View of grade crossing on curve

WASHINGTON — A Union Pacific locomotive’s horn and warning devices at a grade crossing provided little advance notice before a fatal collision at a grade crossing in Elgin, Ill., according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report on the Oct. 23, 2025, incident. The accident occurred about 6:30 a.m., when a locomotive running light […]

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East Troy Industrial Park Sidetrack | Depot Developments

Join Cody Grivno for the latest Sidetrack Series departure, as he dives into the detail work on his HO scale (1:87.1) depot structure roof and chimney! See how he uses paints to create realistic shingle highlights and weathering streaks. Then learn a handy trick for filling the gap between plastic parts. Cody also shares the […]

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Metra board approves modified 2026 budget

Bilevel commuter trains meet on curve

CHICAGO — Metra’s board of directors has approved a $1.2 billion operating budget for fiscal 2026, eliminating the commuter rail operator’s previously planned fare increase as well as a planned $60 million transfer of operating funds to its capital program. The capital plan for 2026 is budgeted at $515.3 million. The transit bill passed by […]

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News report: Metra awarded more than $19 million in suit against Union Pacific

Freight and commuter trains at commuter station platform

CHICAGO — Metra has been awarded $19.3 million in its suit against Union Pacific over UP’s decision not to collect fares on Metra trains during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news report. The suburban Daily Herald newspaper reports a Cook County, Ill., jury delivered the verdict on Wednesday. Metra spokesman Michael Gillis told the […]

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Chicago, railroads celebrate completion of Forest Hill Flyover

CSX Intermodal train led by single locomotive passes over Union Pacific and Metra locomotives on bridge

CHICAGO — Some projects of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency, or CREATE, program are begun and completed with relatively limited fanfare. That is certainly not the case with the Forest Hill Flyover, which carries the tracks of CSX Transportation over lines used by Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, the Belt Railway of Chicago, and […]

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