Amtrak signal problem delays Metra BNSF trains during morning commute NEWSWIRE

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Signal problems caused delays for Metra BNSF trains at Chicago Union Station on Thursday morning. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Metra BNSF line trains experienced delays arriving and departing from Union Station on Thursday morning because of Amtrak signal problems, WGN-TV reported. Delays of 30 to 45 minutes were reported during the morning commute. “Trains […]

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Planning continues to advance for new Chicago-Twin Cities Amtrak service NEWSWIRE

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The Empire Builder crosses the Mississippi River in Hastings, Minn., in September 2018. Planning continues for efforts to launch a second train on the Builder‘s route between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul. TRAINS: David Lassen PORTAGE, Wis. — A proposal for a second daily Amtrak train between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul should receive a waiver exempting […]

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Union Pacific to gain trackage rights over Norfolk Southern’s former Wabash in Missouri, Illinois NEWSWIRE

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Map of proposed trackage rights proposed by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern and filed with the Surface Transportation Board. Surface Transportation Board WASHINGTON — Norfolk Southern’s former Wabash main line across Missouri and Illinois may be getting a little busier as part of a new shortcut for Union Pacific. UP is seeking Surface Transportation Board […]

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Glenview, Ill., budgets more money to fight expansion of Hiawatha service

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GLENVIEW, Ill. — The Glenview Village Board has voted to budget another $36,000 for its fight against efforts to increase Amtrak Hiawatha service between Chicago and Milwaukee, running the community’s total tab for the effort to more than $541,000. The Chicago Tribune reports that of the newly budgeted funds, $30,000 will go to a state […]

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With funding loss imminent, Amtrak ends ticket sales for ‘Hoosier State’ NEWSWIRE

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CHICAGO — Amtrak has announced it will no longer sell tickets for the Hoosier State after June 30 as the train nears cancellation as a result of loss of funding from the state of Indiana. The state currently provides $3 million in funding for the four-day-a-week train, while five local governments provide another $500,000. But […]

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‘Long-term deterioration’ likely cause of Toledo bridge collapse

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“Long-term deterioration” is believed to be the cause of this bridge collapse onto Norfolk Southern tracks last week in Toledo, Ohio. Michael D. Harding TOLEDO, Ohio — Officials believe long-term deterioration was the cause of last week’s bridge collapse that blocked Norfolk Southern’s main line through Toledo for more than six hours. The Toledo Blade […]

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Northstar adds train service for Final Four weekend NEWSWIRE

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The Twin Cities’ Northstar commuter rail service will add trains for this weekend’s Final Four in Minneapolis. Steve Glischinski MINNEAPOLIS — Northstar Commuter Rail will run special trains beginning Friday for the NCAA basketball Final Four and related events being held at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis. Today (Friday, April 5) an additional train […]

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Rail subcommittee chairman ‘extremely disappointed’ with Amtrak response on Union Station incident NEWSWIRE

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U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski is not satisfied with Amtrak’s response to his questions over a Feb. 28 incident that badly disrupted operations at Chicago Union Station. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, says he is “extremely disappointed” with Amtrak’s explanation for the […]

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Study explores possibility of returning Amtrak to Detroit’s Michigan Central Station NEWSWIRE

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Michigan Central Station in 1981. A study is exploring the possibility of returning Amtrak service to the station. Ernest L. Novak DETROIT — The revival of Detroit’s Michigan Central Station could include passenger train service. Bridge Michigan, an online journalism cooperative, reports that the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority have begun a $30,000 feasibility study to […]

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Bridge collapses onto NS main line; no injuries reported NEWSWIRE

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Crews work to clear the Norfolk Southern main line in Toledo after a bridge collapsed onto the tracks on Wednesday. Michael D. Harding TOLEDO, Ohio — A bridge collapsed onto a Norfolk Southern main line in Toledo on Wednesday, temporarily shutting down train traffic on the route to Chicago. The Maumee Avenue bridge, undergoing repair […]

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Lake State Railway set to take over CSX line NEWSWIRE

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CSX train D736-25 leaves McGrew Yard in Flint, Mich., during the final week of CSX operation before the line Lake State Railway takes over operations between Mt. Morris and Plymouth, Mich. Jonathan Quinley SAGINAW, Mich. – Lake State Railway Co. will take over a CSX Transportation line between Mt. Morris, Mich., and Plymouth, Mich., effective […]

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HO scale Gogebic Iron Range model railroad

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Hans J. Schlegel’s HO scale model railroad is based on the Gogebic Iron Range of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan in the 1950s to 1960s. The layout features iron mines, ore trains, steam, and diesel. The video is 4-years old and shows about half of what is now completed. Today, scenery is 90 percent complete […]

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