Union Pacific derailment spills asphalt into creek

Union Pacific logo with Building America slogan

HAMPTON, Iowa — A Union Pacific derailment early Monday morning spilled asphalt into a creek, WOI-TV reports. No injuries were reported from the 44-car derailment, which occurred about 3:30 a.m. on a bridge over Otter Creek, north of Hampton, and sent some cars into the creek. Hazardous materials teams remained on the scene as of […]

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Twin Cities light rail project faces $500 million shortfall

Map of light rail project connecting Minneapolis to Eden Prairie, Minn.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The problem-plagued Southwest extension of the Twin Cities’ light rail Green Line is short $500 million in funding, according to a review of the project from the state’s nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Auditor, and it is unclear where that money will come from. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the money […]

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AAPRCO cars make another Chicago-area trip

Train with orange and maroon observation car at end backs toward camera

CHICAGO — Private cars visiting Chicago as part of the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners’ annual convention made another journey on local transit lines on Sunday, Sept. 4, traveling a route including Metra and South Shore lines. As was the case on Saturday —when the private cars visited Metra’s Milwaukee West, Milwaukee North, […]

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News photos: Private car special on Metra (updated)

Passenger car with observation platform meets commuter train at station

CHICAGO — Metra operated a passenger special Saturday, Sept. 3, for members of the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners from Chicago Union Station and return, operating on Metra’s Milwaukee West and Milwaukee North lines. The train’s route took it to Elgin, Ill., on Metra’s Milwaukee West line. The special then retraced most of […]

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Lionel 1926 Cardinals Train Set review

Lionel 1926 Cardinals Train Set overall view

Lionel’s 1926 Cardinals Train Set was kind of hidden in the pages of the 2021 Lionel Volume I “Big Book” behind the re-release of the 2-10-10-2; the Mohawks and Camelbacks; the Acela sets; and the Asa Packer, New Hope & Ivyland consists. It’s a high-end Legacy outfit that features a newly cataloged 4-6-2 Pacific steam […]

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Effort in Iowa attempts to mobilize opponents to CP-KCS merger

Train of tank cars curves under bridge in rainstorm

DAVENPORT, Iowa — While three of the affected cities have already reached agreement with the railroad, an Iowa group is trying to organize opposition to Canadian Pacific’s merger with Kansas City Southern over the projected impact on community’s along the CP route following the Mississippi River. KWQC-TV reports a Tuesday press conference organized by the […]

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Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway remembered

Green-and-yellow diesel locomotives with freight train in yard

Four events highlight the history of the Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway: two spectacular accidents, a visiting steam locomotive, and a murder. Remarkable is that the TP&W rebounded from the negative incidents to last through 1983, when it was merged into the Santa Fe Railway. After three years, though, Santa Fe wanted out, and the […]

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The Trains Interview: Preservation priorities

Man standing in front of two steam locomotives

World events the past two years have kept people from doing what they enjoy. Communities have endured a near-two-year-long pandemic and are navigating the highest inflation in 40 years. Conflict overseas is rattling economies and threatening financial stability. Such events underscore the need for  rail preservation groups, who rely on those to share in their […]

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