Reading T-1 No. 2100 will debut in Freedom Train paint scheme, restoration group says

Black and white view of 4-8-4 steam locomotive

CLEVELAND — The group restoring Reading Co. T-1 4-8-4 No. 2100 has announced the locomotive will wear an American Freedom Train paint scheme nearly identical to that worn by another T-1, No. 2101, during the 1975-76 Freedom Train tour. “Our initial plan was to debut the 2100 in the original black Reading freight scheme, and […]

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Ultimate dual-service engine: New York Central 4-8-2 Mohawks

Example of New York Central 4-8-2 Mohawks on freight train by station

The New York Central 4-8-2 Mohawks were the ultimate dual-service steam locomotives. For some railroads in the steam era, it wasn’t enough to have success with a single example of a standard wheel arrangement. Instead, new competitive challenges and evolving technology often caused railroads to rethink a given locomotive class and turn it almost entirely […]

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Norfolk Southern concludes removal of contaminated soil from East Palestine

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — The last loads of contaminated soil have been removed from the site of February’s East Palestine derailment, according to local news reports. WKBN-TV reports the final excavation at the derailment site was completed Sunday evening. More than 175,000 tons of soil have been removed from the site, with Bob Scoble, Norfolk […]

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‘Empire Builder’ disruptions triggered by snow, mechanical issues

Passenger train at station with snow on the ground.

CHICAGO — The Chicago-Seattle/Portland, Ore., Empire Builder is finally on the road to recovery after incurring significant challenges during the past week following a late October High Plains snowstorm and related issues. A series of delays throughout the week culminated in eastbound train No. 8 departing Seattle more than 5 hours late on Saturday, Oct. […]

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South Shore Line opens first part of Double Track projects

Electric multiple-unit trainset at station at night

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — South Shore Line commuter trains began operation on the first portion of the Double Track project between Gary and Michigan City on Wednesday, with trains running between Michigan City and the Dune Park station in Chesterton for the first time in more than a year. The resumption of rail service between […]

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Amtrak Twin Cities services through the years

Amtrak Twin Cities services passenger train on curve in snow

Amtrak Twin Cities services started on May 1, 1971, at the Burlington Northern (former Great Northern) station in Minneapolis. Service levels ebbed and flowed through the years as trains were added or subtracted.     Amtrak opened a new Twin Cities station on March 1, 1978, using a standard plan that was also built in […]

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Elroy-Sparta State Trail: Biking Along the Route of the ‘400’

Steam locomotive pointed away from the camera on trackage that would become the Elroy-Sparta State Trail

The first rail-to-trail conversion in the U.S., the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, gives riders an opportunity to traverse three tunnels.   Wisconsin isn’t usually associated with railroad tunnels, but it once had a number of them. Today only Canadian Pacific’s bore at Tunnel City is active, but next door is the closed tunnel of the Chicago […]

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Amtrak’s Chicago Metropolitan Lounge ends free use for business-class passengers

People in loosely organized line at railroad station

CHICAGO — Amtrak business-class passengers no longer receive free admission to Chicago Union Station’s Metropolitan Lounge, although a $35 day pass is available. Enlarged and reimagined at a new location within the sprawling facility in 2016, the Metropolitan Lounge’s primary function has been to serve transferring long-distance sleeping car passengers. It is a multi-level place […]

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CPKC signs naming-rights deal for Kansas City soccer stadium

Illustration of soccer stadium

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Canadian Pacific Kansas City has signed a 10-year naming-rights agreement for the stadium currently under construction for the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League, which the team says is the world’s first stadium built for a women’s professional sports team. CPKC Stadium, under construction at Berkley Riverfront Park, […]

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