Welding work advances Reading No. 2100 project

Interior of locomotive firebox

CLEVELAND – Restoration of Reading T1 4-8-4 No. 2100 by the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, a 501c3 non-profit, has reached another milestone with completion of welding work within the firebox grate area. The work included welding of 548 new side sheet flexible and rigid staybolts, the welding of the inner sheets to the mud […]

Read More…

Milwaukee Road 261 returns to action (with video)

People gather around steam locomotive and train

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Milwaukee Road locomotive No. 261 is back on the road after a two-year absence from mainline operation. The S-3 Class Northern 4-8-4, built in 1944 by the American Locomotive Co. at Schenectady, N.Y., was in action Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2-3, on the Twin Cities & Western Railroad between Chanhassen and Bongards, […]

Read More…

Mark Twain Zephyr work continues with dining-car project (with video)

Kitchen in railroad car, with new equipment on one side and original equipment on the other

TREGO, Wis. — The interior of another car has been completed as the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad continues its work to return one of the first diesel-powered streamlined passenger trains to operation. Trains News Wire’s latest visit to northwest Wisconsin to check on restoration of the Mark Twain Zephyr, the articulated trainset built by Philadelphia’s […]

Read More…

Indiana Rail Road Santa Train to return

Indiana Rail Road Santa Train logo

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Rail Road’s Santa Train will return after a pandemic-related hiatus, operating Dec. 3-5 under a modified schedule and format because of ongoing COVID-19 safety precautions. The 2021 operation of the specially decorated train will see Santa’s elves arrive ahead of the train to prepare for Santa’s arrival, with families invited to watch […]

Read More…

Nickel Plate 765 returns to the rails for a special reunion

Two steam locomotives lined up side-by-side

NEW HAVEN, Ind. — Famed excursion star Nickel Plate Road No. 765 had a busy fall in 2021 with a visit to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and a special trip to reunite with sister NKP Berkshire No. 757 in Bellevue, Ohio. Now the 765 organization looks forward to its 50th anniversary in 2022. After […]

Read More…

New York Air Brake to open plant in Mexico, lay off workers in New York (updated)

Large white manufacturing building

WATERTOWN, N.Y. — New York Air Brake will launch a manufacturing operation in Acuna, Mexico, while laying off 125 workers of the approximately 400 workers at its Watertown, N.Y., plant, the company announced Wednesday. On Thursday, the Machinists Union, which represents the 125 workers to be laid off, announced it would fight the move. About […]

Read More…

Federal judge sides with Union Pacific in Metra commuter dispute

Passenger train passes brick interlocking tower

CHICAGO – Union Pacific has won a key legal ruling in its long-running dispute with Metra regarding operations of three commuter routes. A federal judge on Thursday ruled that UP has no common carrier obligation to provide commuter service on the UP North, UP West, and UP Northwest Lines. Metra had sought to show that UP […]

Read More…

Wonderful warbonnet: Lionel’s no. 11739 “The Super Chief” set

Hal Miller with Lionel train set box

CTT’s Hal Miller has a look at Lionel’s no. 11739 Santa Fe “The Super Chief” set that was the first one in the modern era to feature an Alco locomotive. This O-27 outfit is still available and affordable on the auction and swap meet market along with its add-on cars. It’s great to run or […]

Read More…

Wonderful warbonnet: Lionel’s no. 11739 “The Super Chief” set

Hal Miller with Lionel train set box

CTT’s Hal Miller has a look at Lionel’s no. 11739 Santa Fe “The Super Chief” set that was the first one in the modern era to feature an Alco locomotive. This O-27 outfit is still available and affordable on the auction and swap meet market along with its add-on cars. It’s great to run or […]

Read More…

‘Broadway’ streamlined

Streamlined steam locomotive on multiple-track main line

‘Broadway’ streamlined On June 15, 1938 — the 36th anniversary of its launch — the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Broadway Limited was upgraded to a streamlined train, albeit with a rebuilt heavyweight RPO and diner. Given a shroud in 1936, K4s 3468 heads the new equipment’s inaugural eastbound run at Englewood. Rival New York Central completely streamlined […]

Read More…