CHICAGO — The Democratic National Convention may be over, but Metra’s O’Hare Shuttle service, operating between Chicago Union Station and the airport, will continue for a few more days. The commuter operator arranged with Canadian National, host railroad on the North Central Service portion of the route, and CPKC, dispatcher of the Milwaukee West segment, […]
New York Central’s Chicago–Cincinnati streamliner, the James Whitcomb Riley, speeds past Illinois Central’s suburban-train station at 75th Street on the South Side of Chicago in 1947. The Riley left from IC’s Central Station on the lakefront and switched to NYC rails at Kankakee. Willard A. Gardner photo […]
Burlington Route’s Chicago–Minneapolis Morning Zephyr forges west at Downers Grove, Ill., on a snowy January 13, 1948. The six-car train carries four dome cars, including a dome-observation. CB&Q photo […]
Ride with Trains.com, as staff members Lucas Iverson and Ben Lake, as they enjoy grand scale railroading (often associated with miniature, ride-on trains) at The Milwaukee County Zoo’s North Shore Bank Safari Train! Enjoy up-close views of their visit in July 2024, and then read more details about the 15-inch gauge railroad’s past, present and […]
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has ordered Union Pacific and Metra to enter mediation over their inability to reach financial terms on some aspects of a contract to continue commuter train service on three Metra routes using Union Pacific lines. In a decision issued Wednesday, Aug. 14, the board by a 4-0 vote granted […]
Amtrak’s newest passenger equipment is now available in HO scale from Bachmann. Entering service in 2018, Siemens has already built more than 100 Venture cars for service with Amtrak, Brightline, and VIA Rail Canada. The company is also under contract to deliver more equipment to existing operators and Ontario Northland Ry. A modern prototype The […]
Host Gerry Leone left us with a bit of a cliffhanger in his quest to remake a wider, curved river for his Bona Vista HO scale double-deck model railroad. In this episode, he shares the plan and his efforts to move forward with the required deconstruction and reconstruction (…and even re-reconstruction — don’t ask, you’ll […]
MADISON, Wis. — The Center for Railroad Photography & Art will receive the Kalmbach Media art collection, a total of 58 original paintings spanning the company’s history since its founding by A.C. Kalmbach in 1934. CRP&A Executive Director Scott Lothes announced the acquisition today after working closely with Kalmbach executives to find a permanent home […]
A friend asked me recently what was the first locomotive I clearly remember. The answer might be surprising: it was huge (to a 4-year-old, anyway), it was rare, it was a little scary, and it was orange. And to use the accepted sound nomenclature, it “burbled.” I’m referring, of course, to Elgin, Joliet & Eastern’s […]
TOWN OF SHERMAN, Wis. — The driver of a semi truck was killed today in a grade crossing collision that also derailed the locomotive and six cars of a Wisconsin & Southern train, the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office reports. The collision occurred about 2:05 p.m. on Abbott Drive in the town of Sherman, about 36 […]
CHICAGO — Amtrak officials will meet with representatives of the city of Chicago after again voicing concerns about the prospect that the area adjacent to Chicago Union Station could be asked to serve as the temporary hub for Greyhound bus service. After Amtrak President Roger Harris sent a letter on Tuesday, Aug. 13, to Mayor […]
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Pullman railcar Kitchi Gammi Club, built in 1923, assigned to Nickel Plate Road passenger service after a 1937 modification, and later converted to a business car for that railroad, will move from New York City to become part of special events at the Indiana Rail Experience this October and December, the […]
