Milwaukee train No. 6, the Morning Hiawatha, passes Tower A20 near Northbrook, Ill., on July 29, 1969. Ahead lies Chicago Union Station. Jim Scribbins photo […]
Rondout action
Zone & Region: Midwest
Valpo Dummy commuter train
Indiana’s Valpo Dummy commuter train could not garner the public support and funding needed to survive into the modern era. In the 1890s, the Pennsylvania Railroad began operating commuter trains between Chicago and Valparaiso, Ind. Over the next century the service remained largely frozen in time, with operations changing relatively little as the trains passed […]
South Shore acknowledges issues with new schedules, promises improvements
CHESTERTON, Ind. — South Shore Line commuter rail service has been experiencing some growing pains with its expanded schedule, to the point that Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District President Mike Noland on Friday issued a letter to riders vowing to do better. With the completion of its $378 million Double Track project between Gary and […]
Revenue run
A seven-car Illinois Central Gulf piggyback train heads north through Springfield, Ill., for Chicago in September 1975. At Springfield the ICG’s one-time Gulf, Mobile & Ohio route split for Kansas City to the west and St. Louis and points south. Walter A. Peters photo […]
Metra opens new station on UP North Line
CHICAGO — Metra has opened a new $27 million station on Union Pacific’s North Line. The Peterson/Ridge station opened May 20. It includes two six-car platforms; heated concrete stairs and ADA-compliant ramps; a glass and masonry warming house with side canopies and metal roof; two shelters with on-demand heating; an access drive with a cul-de-sac […]
Wisconsin governor proposes passenger trains to NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has proposed running special Amtrak trains to Green Bay during next year’s NFL Draft. In the last few years, the draft announcements have become big business, drawing thousands of people to host cities. The 90th version of the NFL Draft will be held in Green Bay, home […]
Ohio Rail Development Commission awards grants to three railroads
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Rail Development Commission has announced grants totaling more than $1.65 million for infrastructure projects for the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway, East Ohio Valley Railway, and Camp Chase Railway. These grants join the previously announced grant of more than $1.23 million for R.J. Corman’s Western Ohio Lines [see “Two R.J. […]
Second Chicago-St. Paul train shows value of frequency, capacity: Analysis
WINONA, Minn. — The first westbound trip of Amtrak’s new Borealis wasn’t flawless. A “technical problem” with a credit card reader delayed the café car’s opening. A pesky lock on the platform wheelchair lift’s enclosure at the Sturtevant, Wis., stop contributed to delay, as did the decision to open only one vestibule trap at downtown […]
Pair of Berkshires build on 2024’s must-see big steam
FORT WAYNE, Ind., and OWOSSO, Mich. — Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 has been a recent showstopper during its epic CPKC Final Spike Steam Tour from Canada to the U.S. and Mexico. But with summer closing in, expect more locomotives to take center stage as part of 2024’s must-see big steam, including a pair of […]
Amtrak Borealis makes debut
ST. PAUL, Minn. — It was 43 years in the making, but the Chicago-Twin Cities corridor finally has a second Amtrak passenger train. In ceremonies in Chicago, St. Paul and intermediate points today, Amtrak and state, local, and federal official marked the first run of the Borealis, new daily service between Chicago Union Station and […]
American Track acquires Strategic Rail
FORT WORTH, Texas — North American Rail Solutions subsidiary American Track has acquired Strategic Rail, LLC, of Tomahawk, Wis. The combined companies will continue as American Track. Strategic Rail, established in 2005 by Dianna and Travis Gustafson, provides services including grapple truck operations, material handling, railcar movement, and vegetation control. Its strength in the Great […]
Two R.J. Corman Ohio lines receive state grant for track upgrades
COLUMBUS, Ohio — R.J. Corman’s Western Ohio Lines has received a $1.23 million grant from the Ohio Rail Development Commission for rehabilitation of its Greenville and Spencerville-Elgin lines, the commission has announced. Total cost of the work on the two lines is estimated at more than $2.4 million. On the 12-mile Greenville line, the grant […]
