James Whitcomb Riley Amtrak E units recall past glories as they prepare to depart Indianapolis Union Station with the Chicago-bound James Whitcomb Riley in mid-1974. J. David Ingles photo […]
Zone & Region: Midwest
Milwaukee Road 261 returns to action (with video)
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Milwaukee Road locomotive No. 261 is back on the road after a two-year absence from mainline operation. The S-3 Class Northern 4-8-4, built in 1944 by the American Locomotive Co. at Schenectady, N.Y., was in action Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2-3, on the Twin Cities & Western Railroad between Chanhassen and Bongards, […]
Cincinnati anachronism
Cincinnati anachronism The manually controlled crossing-gate arms at Winton Place stand watch at Clifton Avenue in Cincinnati. The suburban station was a favorite hangout for area railfans. W. Mike Weber, Denny Hamilton collection […]
Mark Twain Zephyr work continues with dining-car project (with video)
TREGO, Wis. — The interior of another car has been completed as the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad continues its work to return one of the first diesel-powered streamlined passenger trains to operation. Trains News Wire’s latest visit to northwest Wisconsin to check on restoration of the Mark Twain Zephyr, the articulated trainset built by Philadelphia’s […]
Indiana Rail Road Santa Train to return
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Rail Road’s Santa Train will return after a pandemic-related hiatus, operating Dec. 3-5 under a modified schedule and format because of ongoing COVID-19 safety precautions. The 2021 operation of the specially decorated train will see Santa’s elves arrive ahead of the train to prepare for Santa’s arrival, with families invited to watch […]
Nickel Plate 765 returns to the rails for a special reunion
NEW HAVEN, Ind. — Famed excursion star Nickel Plate Road No. 765 had a busy fall in 2021 with a visit to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and a special trip to reunite with sister NKP Berkshire No. 757 in Bellevue, Ohio. Now the 765 organization looks forward to its 50th anniversary in 2022. After […]
New York Air Brake to open plant in Mexico, lay off workers in New York (updated)
WATERTOWN, N.Y. — New York Air Brake will launch a manufacturing operation in Acuna, Mexico, while laying off 125 workers of the approximately 400 workers at its Watertown, N.Y., plant, the company announced Wednesday. On Thursday, the Machinists Union, which represents the 125 workers to be laid off, announced it would fight the move. About […]
Federal judge sides with Union Pacific in Metra commuter dispute
CHICAGO – Union Pacific has won a key legal ruling in its long-running dispute with Metra regarding operations of three commuter routes. A federal judge on Thursday ruled that UP has no common carrier obligation to provide commuter service on the UP North, UP West, and UP Northwest Lines. Metra had sought to show that UP […]
Wonderful warbonnet: Lionel’s no. 11739 “The Super Chief” set
CTT’s Hal Miller has a look at Lionel’s no. 11739 Santa Fe “The Super Chief” set that was the first one in the modern era to feature an Alco locomotive. This O-27 outfit is still available and affordable on the auction and swap meet market along with its add-on cars. It’s great to run or […]
Wonderful warbonnet: Lionel’s no. 11739 “The Super Chief” set
CTT’s Hal Miller has a look at Lionel’s no. 11739 Santa Fe “The Super Chief” set that was the first one in the modern era to feature an Alco locomotive. This O-27 outfit is still available and affordable on the auction and swap meet market along with its add-on cars. It’s great to run or […]
‘Broadway’ streamlined
‘Broadway’ streamlined On June 15, 1938 — the 36th anniversary of its launch — the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Broadway Limited was upgraded to a streamlined train, albeit with a rebuilt heavyweight RPO and diner. Given a shroud in 1936, K4s 3468 heads the new equipment’s inaugural eastbound run at Englewood. Rival New York Central completely streamlined […]
Steam in snow
Steam in snow Milwaukee Road 2-8-2 No. 327 rolls south on the Indiana Harbor Belt at La Grange, Ill., in December 1950, bound for Terre Haute, Ind. Robert Milner photo […]