Amtrak, local officials dedicate fully accessible Homewood, Ill., station

Long station handicap ramp in glass structure

HOMEWOOD, IIl. — Bringing Amtrak’s more than 500 stations into compliance with  1990’s Americans with Disabilities Act has been on Amtrak’s to-do list since the legislation was passed, but only with recent, specifically designated funding has the company prioritized the transformations. One such project was celebrated Saturday, June 25, in Homewood, Ill., with Amtrak brass […]

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Amtrak’s City of New Orleans at Chebanse

Passenger train passes through small town in dim pre-dawn light.

Join me in early mid-March, beside Amtrak City of New Orleans at Chebanse, Ill., a few weeks ahead of farmer’s spring planting — about 70 miles south of Chicago. It’s a breezy, crisp early morning before sunrise. The camera’s ISO is notched up to 2500. A lamp brightens the interior of the Chebanse depot, but […]

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CSX breaks ground on Chicago container facility

Seven people share shovels in groundbreaking ceremony

CHICAGO — CSX Transportation has begun work on expansion of its Chicago intermodal facilities, breaking ground earlier this week on a container storage facility at 63rd Street in the city’s Englewood neighborhood. When completed, the project, projected to cost more than $25 million, will provide additional storage for the railroad’s 59th Street and Bedford Park […]

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Fort Wayne organization acquires two PRR passenger cars

Two stainless steel passenger cars

NEW HAVEN, Ind. — The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has acquired two Pennsylvania Railroad passenger cars from the Washington, D.C., chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. The cars will be used to support the Indiana Rail Experience, a series of excursions with the society’s steam locomotive, Nickel Plate Road No. 765 [see “Indiana […]

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Metra brings back Saturday excursions on Heritage Corridor

Commuter train rounds curve with buildings in background

CHICAGO — Metra is bringing back special Saturday summer service it introduced on its Heritage Corridor route last year, offering residents to explore communities and recreational opportunities along the line which normally only sees weekday service. The “Rails, Trails, and Ales” excursions will operate on 10 consecutive Saturdays beginning July 2, with three round trips […]

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Groundbreaking celebrates South Shore double-track project (updated)

Orange and Red diesel with two passenger cars

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — While significant preparation work has been in progress since the end of February, officials gathered Monday morning (June 20, 2022) in Michigan City for a groundbreaking ceremony for the South Shore Double Track Project. Inside Indiana Business reports Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb told reporters after the 10 a.m. ceremony that the […]

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News photos: Kaw River Railroad SD60Ms show off fresh paint

Black and yellow locomotive with city skyline in the background

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kaw River Railroad operations in Kansas City now feature two former Union Pacific SD60M’s in a paint scheme reflecting the line’s Watco ownership. The 6032 and 6033 are the first six-axle locomotives on the Kaw River, which operates former Kansas City Terminal Railway trackage in Kansas City, Kan., and Kansas City, […]

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Former C&O roundhouse in Ohio faces demolition

Aerial view of roundhouse with turntable

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A former Chesapeake & Ohio roundhouse dating to 1927 is facing demolition by CSX Transportation, although nothing is scheduled and a preservation group has been trying to save the building. The Columbus Dispatch reports the brick structure at Parsons Yard on Columbus’ Far South Side, was built as a 27-stall roundhouse but […]

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UP coal train derails in Kansas

Aerial view of derailed hoppers and spilled coal

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Cleanup continued through the weekend after more than two dozen cars of a Union Pacific coal train derailed Friday near Lawrence. Initial reports indicated more than 20 cars were involved in the derailment that occurred shortly after 5 p.m., but drone video of the accident from the Lawrence Police Department indicates the […]

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