NTSB chair says ‘design problem’ with brakes is factor in CTA collision

CHICAGO — A design problem with the braking for the CTA equipment played a role in Thursday’s collision between a Yellow Line train and a piece of train maintenance machinery, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said today (Saturday, Nov. 18). Homendy was speaking at a press briefing on the investigation into the accident […]

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Some Amtrak Michigan cancellations to continue Saturday

Amtrak logo.

CHICAGO — Most Amtrak Wolverine and Blue Water trains will again be cancelled on Saturday, Nov. 18, but plans are to restore all service on the two routes as of Sunday, Nov. 19, Amtrak has announced. All six Wolverine trains and both directions of the Blue Water were cancelled today (Friday, Nov. 17) after a […]

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Investigation at Chicago crash site to prolong suspension of CTA service

Man and woman in jackets labeled "NTSB" address media briefing

CHICAGO — It could be up to five days before service resumes on the Chicago Transit Authority’s Yellow Line following Thursday’s collision between a CTA train and a piece of maintenance equipment. National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said at a news briefing today (Friday, Nov. 17) that it could take that long for […]

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The Soo Line Central layout in HO scale

An image of a model railroad trackplan

Facts & features Name: Soo Line Central Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 8 x 20 feet Prototype: Soo Line, Wisconsin Central, and Canadian National Locale: Chicago Era: 1980 to present Style: island Mainline run: 98 feet (double tracked) Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: Atlas No. 8 Maximum grade: flat Benchwork: open grid Height: 38″ Roadbed: cork […]

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CTA Yellow Line service still suspended after collision

People in safety gear at site of crash between rapid-transit train and maintenance equipment

CHICAGO — Service on the Chicago Transit Authority’s Yellow Line remains suspended today (Friday, Nov. 17) after the Thursday collision between a two-car Yellow Line train and a piece of maintenance equipment that injured 38 people, 23 of whom were sent to hospitals for treatment. The train reportedly rear-ended a snow plow, according to a […]

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Amtrak train derails in Michigan after grade-crossing collision; 11 minor injuries reported

Derailed locomotive at night

NEW BUFFALO, Mich. —  Eleven people reportedly suffered minor injuries when Amtrak Wolverine train No. 355 bound for Chicago struck vehicles at a grade crossing and derailed in New Buffalo Township, Mich., about 10 p.m. Thursday night, WZZM-TV reports. At least eight trains scheduled for today have been cancelled while derailment cleanup takes place. The […]

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Chicago L train hits maintenance equipment; more than 19 injured (additional updates)

Stainless steel railcar with smashed-in front end

  CHICAGO — More than 30 people were injured, and more than 20 were hospitalized, following a crash involving a Chicago Transit Authority train today (Thurday, Nov. 16), according to updated information from the Chicago Fire Department. The latest information, as reported by WMAQ-TV, is that at least 38 people were injured, with 23 transported […]

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Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society announces $50,000 matching grant for NYC passenger fleet

Group of stainless steel passenger cars

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society announced a $50,000 matching grant for the restoration of seven former New York Central passenger cars. Built in 1941 for the Empire State Express, they were acquired from New York’s Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum and arrived at the Fort Wayne group’s shop in […]

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Nickel-plated freight

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Westbound Nickel Plate Road train NC-3 rolls through the east side of Cleveland, Ohio, in June 1959. The railroad, formally known as the New York, Chicago & St. Louis, dieselized its freight operations with road-switchers. As evidence, a mix of six Alco and EMD locomotives led by Alco RS11 No. 568 and EMD GP9 No. […]

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Grand Crossing

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This 1902 northward view of Chicago’s Grand Crossing makes it obvious how this busy South Side rail intersection got its name. Six tracks of Illinois Central (two suburban, two passenger, two freight) cross the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago (Pennsylvania Railroad) and Lake Shore and Michigan Southern (New York Central). Illinois Central photo […]

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Soo Line No. 1003 steams through central Wisconsin for 110th year

Steam locomotive sits on display.

HARTFORD, Wis. — A weekend of operations for Soo Line steam locomotive No. 1003 stretched from its home in Hartford to as far as Fairwater, Wis., approximately 50 miles northwest. The Mikado-type 2-8-2 is in its 110th year, having been constructed in March 1913 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, N.Y. Making the most […]

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