CN gets approval for double-tracking on former EJ&E near Elgin

CHICAGO — Canadian National has won federal regulatory approval to double track more than four miles of its former Elgin, Joliet & Eastern route near Elgin, Ill., a project the railroad says will eliminate a chokepoint and improve the flow of rail traffic in and around Chicago. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a […]

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CN defends request for regulators to settle Chicago interchange dispute with CP

WASHINGTON — Canadian National has defended its request for the Surface Transportation Board to wade into its long-running dispute with Canadian Pacific regarding where the railways interchange in Chicago. Both railroads continue to exchange cars at the Belt Railway of Chicago’s Clearing Yard, as they have under an August 2019 interim agreement that shifted the […]

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Thom Radice’s HO scale W&A background images

Thom Radice’s HO scale W&A layout

It’s before sunrise on April 12, 1863, at the Atlanta Car Shed, and Western & Atlantic 4-4-0 locomotive The General is steaming up for its 4 a.m. run to Chattanooga, Tenn. While the crew eats breakfast at the Lacy Hotel, about 20 Union soldiers disguised as civilians will commandeer the train, leading to the events […]

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CN, CP interchange dispute in Chicago drags on

WASHINGTON — The long-simmering Chicago interchange dispute between Canadian National and Canadian Pacific is bubbling over again. Both railroads continue to exchange cars at the Belt Railway of Chicago’s Clearing Yard, as they have under an August 2019 interim agreement that shifted the interchange location from Spaulding in Bartlett, Ill. But CN in April told […]

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Port Harbor Railroad unveils units honoring first responders, veterans NEWSWIRE

PortHarbor_1_Smedley

The Port Harbor Railroad in Granite City, Ill., has unveiled units honoring first responders and veterans. Steve Smedley Port Harbor’s Dominic Montero, left, designed the paint schemes for the two locomotives. He was joined at the unveiling by his father, Mario, of the St. Louis Fire Department. Steve Smedley GRANITE CITY, Ill. — The Port Harbor […]

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Amtrak asks STB to settle dispute with Metra over Chicago Union Station, seeks more than $17 million annually (updated)

Chicago Union Station exterior

The dispute between Amtrak and Metra over Chicago Union Station is back before the Surface Transportation Board. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Amtrak has filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board asking the agency to settle its ongoing dispute with Metra over terms and compensation for Chicago commuter railroad’s use of the Amtrak-owned Chicago […]

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KC Streetcar seeks federal OK to advance extension NEWSWIRE

Kansas City Streetcar logo

More Wednesday morning rail news: Kansas City streetcar extension receives FTA go-ahead Kansas City, Mo., has received clearance from the Federal Transit Agency to advance to the next phase of the planned KC Streetcar Main Street Extension. The Streetcar Authority announced Tuesday that that FTA approved the project to enter the New Starts Engineering phase […]

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First ‘Hiawatha’ trains to return June 1 NEWSWIRE

Hiawatha_WesternAve_Lassen

A southbound Amtrak Hiawatha approaches Metra’s Western Avenue station in August 2019. Hiawatha rail service, replaced by buses since April 24, will resume June 1. TRAINS: David Lassen Memorial Day rail news in brief: Hiawatha rail service resumes June 1; more trains to be added June 29 One Amtrak Hiawatha round trip will return Monday, […]

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