‘San Francisco Overland’ Dressed in two-tone gray, FEF-1 816 and FEF-2 824 make 55 mph up Sherman Hill near Otto, Wyo., on October 21, 1949. Green flags and “1-27” in the 4-8-4s’ train indicator boxes tell that at least one other section of the San Francisco Overland is following. Ross B. Grenard Jr. photo […]
NEW HAMPTON, Iowa — Canadian Pacific emergency crews remained on site Sunday, addressing a Saturday derailment of six locomotives and 11 cars of a CP train near New Hampton. Canadian Pacific reports that one car carrying anhydrous ammonia derailed into floodwaters and leaked product. “Supporting and working closely with local emergency response officials, our priority […]
Freight guidance Early covered hopper loaders were modified from boxcar loaders, often requiring workers to climb car ladders for access. This elevator is at Glenwood, Minn., in 1984. Bob Wise photo […]
WASHINGTON — As the last two of 25 Viewliner II sleeping cars departed carbuilder CAF USA’s Elmira Heights, N.Y., factory this week, an Amtrak official has confirmed that some of the new cars will replace original Viewliners on the New York section of the Lake Shore Limited after Labor Day. “I’m happy to share that […]
CHICAGO — The man killed by Amtrak police in a shootout at Chicago Union Station on Tuesday had allegedly shot and killed a man in Oakland just four days before. Jamar Jason Taylor, 33, of San Leandro, Calif., died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital after being shot in an exchange of gunfire with police on a […]
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The National Transportation Safety Board is sending investigators to the site of a Wednesday collision involving Canadian Pacific, Union Pacific, and BNSF Railway trains. The Associated Press reports the accident occurred about 5 p.m. Wednesday, with a Canadian Pacific spokesman saying it led to the derailment of two CP locomotives, one […]
CHICAGO — Infrastructure and supply-chain firm Savage has opened a new transload facility at Canadian Pacific’s Bensenville, Ill., yard. The CPT Chicago Transload facility offers direct access to rail lines and major highways including Interstates 290, 294, and 355, as well as State Route 390, the Elgin-O’Hare Tollway. “We’re excited to work with CP to […]
CHICAGO — The North American Rail Shippers Association has added an online participation option to its annual meeting, to be held in Chicago Sept. 7-9. “To make attending as convenient as possible we have added online options because we know there is still uncertainty about traveling due to COVID-19,” NARS President Tom Tisa said in a […]
Introduction to the Beverly Branch The Beverly Branch is a unique segment of Metra’s 11-line commuter rail network. While there are other branch lines — two on the Electric District, one on the UP Northwest line — this one is essentially an alternate route, a 6-mile diversion from the Rock Island District main line providing […]
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Federal Railroad Administration has halted work on a long-proposed new passenger station for Ann Arbor, citing high cost and unacceptable design features. MLive, the Ann Arbor News website, reports a letter from Jamie Rennert, director of the FRA’s Office of Infrastructure Development, told the city the agency would discontinue work […]
LEBANON, Ohio — The future of a Cincinnati-area heritage railroad is in doubt because of infrastructure needs that could reach $2.5 million over the next decade. WXIX-TV reports the Lebanon, Mason & Monroe Railroad is operated by the non-profit Cincinnati Scenic Railway, using track owned by the city of Lebanon, which also provides funding, as […]
CHICAGO — A murder suspect who had just arrived on the California Zephyr was shot and killed at Chicago Union Station on Tuesday evening after opening fire on Amtrak police on a station platform. The Chicago Sun-Times reports Amtrak police were waiting on the platform when the train arrived, having been informed by California authorities […]
