Indiana politicians on blocked crossing commission opt for act of Congress NEWSWIRE

CHICAGO — Indiana residents frustrated by train-blocked grade crossings must wonder if it will take an act of Congress to clear their commutes. Fed up with the failure of state laws and federal bureaucracy to carry freight with the railroads, local politicians are aiming to do just that. Officials at a Monday meeting of the […]

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Railroads brace for Mississippi River flooding NEWSWIRE

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DAVENPORT, Iowa – Railroaders are working “around the clock” this week to restore and maintain service along water-logged routes in the Midwest, but the worst may be yet to come as communities along the Mississippi River brace for major flooding in the coming days. Over the weekend, flooding affected hundreds of miles of BNSF Railway […]

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Drew’s Trackside Adventures: Episode 41 Gallop to the Gateway City

DTA host Drew Halverson, along with pals Kent Johnson and Charlie Conway, launch their summer-long mission to explore the hottest railroad action in the state of Missouri. But first, they have get to the Gateway to the West. Make the trip with the guys, as they chase and race trains (and rain) along a wandering […]

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Drew’s Trackside Adventures: Episode 41 Gallop to the Gateway City

DTA host Drew Halverson, along with pals Kent Johnson and Charlie Conway, launch their summer-long mission to explore the hottest railroad action in the state of Missouri. But first, they have get to the Gateway to the West. Make the trip with the guys, as they chase and race trains (and rain) along a wandering […]

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Nebraska, Iowa floods inundate railroads NEWSWIRE

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Darrell Wendt BNSF lines out-of-service map as of March 15 BNSF Railway MILWAUKEE — Union Pacific and BNSF Railway are halting trains and assessing damage to hundreds of miles of rail lines threatened or damaged by rising flood waters in the Missouri River valley. Rapidly warming temperatures in the past two weeks have led to […]

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Coal train derails, burns in southern Minnesota NEWSWIRE

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MANKATO, Minn. – Emergency crews are responding to a derailed Union Pacific coal train and subsequent fire in Ottawa, about 18 miles north of Mankato along the Minnesota River in southern Minnesota. The line, connecting the Twin Cities with Sioux City, Iowa, was previously part of the Chicago & North Western system. The derailment, which […]

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Milwaukee streetcar plans to open two extensions by Democratic convention, eyes a third NEWSWIRE

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A Milwaukee streetcar makes its way through downtown on the system’s opening weekend in November 2018. The system, “The Hop,” expects to have two extensions open by the time of the Democratic National Convention in July 2020, and is considering a third. TRAINS: David Lassen MILWAUKEE — The first extension of Milwaukee’s streetcar, The Hop, […]

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Amtrak, state add weekend trips for Michigan flower festival NEWSWIRE

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HOLLAND, Mich. – See five million blooming tulips, not brake lights and toll booths, this May 4 and 11 when Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation offer additional service between Chicago and Holland for the annual Tulip Time Festival. These trains on the daily Pere Marquette route, sponsored by MDOT, will run on two […]

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Transit center proposed as key part of development over Metra tracks near Soldier Field NEWSWIRE

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This view from Metra’s 11th Street/Museum Campus station looks toward Soldier Field. The area over the Metra tracks by the stadium is the site for a proposed multibillion-dollar development, which also would include a new transit center. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — A multibillion-dollar development proposed for the air rights over Metra tracks next to […]

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Congressman wants answers from Amtrak CEO on Chicago signal meltdown NEWSWIRE

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Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) is requesting detailed answers from Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson about February’s signal failure at Chicago Union Station. More than 100,000 Amtrak and Metra passengers had trips disrupted by the Feb. 28 signal problems at Chicago Union Station. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — The chairman of the House subcommittee on railroads is […]

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Metra plans extra service for St. Patrick’s parades NEWSWIRE

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A Metra Rock Island train arrives at the Midlothian station in December 2018. The Rock Island line will have additional service on Saturday and Sunday for St. Patrick’s Day events, while a number of other Metra routes will see additional trains Saturday for Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Metra will […]

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