A Tiffany jewel

20190705

Chicago & North Western SD45 No. 905 and SD40 No. 927 make a fine sight leading eastbound train No. 576 across the Tiffany Stone Bridge at Tiffany, Wis., on Feb. 15, 1977. The arch bridge, which spans Turtle Creek, was built in 1869. David Franzen photo […]

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BNSF clears routes after two derailments

BNSF Railway logo

BNSF has reopened the main lines involved in both its derailments on Saturday, July 20, the railroad reports. The first of those incidents occurred about 12:45 a.m. near Ottawa, Kan., on the railroad’s Emporia Subdivision [see “BNSF deals with two derailments,” Trains News Wire, July 20, 2024]. One main line there was reopened at 8:30 […]

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Amtrak National Limited service through the years

Streamlined diesel locomotives on Amtrak National Limited service with city skyline

Amtrak National Limited service began operation on May 1, 1971, linking New York City and Washington, D.C., with Kansas City. It carried Nos. 30-31. The route roughly paralleled that of Interstate 70, which links Baltimore and Kansas City. The name was a nod to a Baltimore & Ohio train serving Washington and St. Louis, but […]

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BNSF deals with two derailments (updated)

Aerial view of derailed intermodal cars

BNSF Railway is working to clean up a pair of derailments that occurred early today (Saturday, July 20). No injuries or hazardous materials situations resulted from either. The first was reported at approximately 12:46 a.m. near Ottawa, Kan., on BNSF’s Emporia Subdivision, blocking both main tracks. The only cargo spilled was a large amount of […]

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Two-day freight photo charter offered with Soo Line No. 1003

Steam engine in snow

Ethan Brodie and Brodie Photography are organizing a two-day photo charter in November featuring Soo Line No. 1003, the 1913 Alco 2-8-2 operated by the Hartford, Wis.-based Steam Locomotive Heritage Association. One- and two-day tickets will be offered for the event Nov. 2-03, which will feature No. 1003 pulling a freight train including additional cars […]

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Iowa county looks at Pop Up Metro rail proposal

Two-car orange and gray railcars

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Officials in Johnson County, Iowa, will consider the Pop Up Metro rail transit system for a proposed service between North Liberty and Iowa City, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reports. A group of elected and other officials will make a trip in August to Rockhill Furnace, Pa., where Pop Up Metro has […]

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Santa Fe parade at Joliet

20180713

FT diesels on a westbound Santa Fe freight idle in front of Joliet (Ill.) Union Station, waiting for the Chief, visible in the distance, to clear the block ahead in Fall 1951. Wallace W. Abbey photo […]

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MTH Premier SD35

Blue and white model train on layout

The MTH Premier EMD SD35 was announced in September of 2022. Previously run in 2020, these models again feature ProtoSound 3.0 technology and the great detailing we’ve come to expect from MTH.  The prototype was produced by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division from mid-1964 through 1966. More than 350 of the 2,500 hp locomotives were built, […]

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First look: Midwest states’ Venture coach-café debut

Close-up of silver passenger car with blue window stripe and red and white trim

CHICAGO — The first of 17 Venture coach-café cars built by Siemens for Midwest States has finally debuted on one daily Chicago-St. Louis Lincoln Service round-trip. Trains News Wire sampled the new entry out of Chicago to Bloomington-Normal, Ill., last week on train No. 305, a 5:20 p.m. departure. The trainset returns the next morning […]

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5 traits of the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad

Orange-and-black diesel locomotives displaying traits of the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton with freight train under bridge

Here are five traits of the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton that made it special.   The DT&I was formed in 1905 with the combination of the Detroit Southern and Ohio Southern railroads. In 1920, automobile tycoon Henry Ford acquired the road, popularly to ensure a new River Rouge bridge could be built to ensure water […]

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