Amtrak, Metra end mediation; Union Station dispute to return to STB Mediation of Amtrak’s dispute with Metra over Metra’s lease at Chicago Union Station has ended with some issues still unresolved. In a letter to the Surface Transportation Board, representatives of STB and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service said the two parties had met nine […]
A stalled train ahead has halted the GP7s and reefers of Illinois Central hotshot CC-6 in western Illinois, enabling the photographer to get this picture. He was riding the Council Bluffs–Chicago train on the road’s Iowa Division for a story in Trains magazine. Photo by William D. Middleton […]
Additional Monday rail news: Metra extends sale of $10 one-day pass Metra is extending sale of its $10 All-Day Pass through Jan. 31, 2020. The pass, introduced June 1, allows unlimited Metra rides on a given day through 3 a.m. the following morning, and in most cases is less than the cost of two one-way […]
History of the Ann Arbor Railroad The Ann Arbor Railroad was as much a steamship line as a railroad. Built from Toledo, Ohio, northwest to Frankfort, Mich., it existed for one reason — to move freight in car ferries across Lake Michigan to bypass Chicago. From 1910 to 1968, “the Annie” operated 320 car ferry […]
More Tuesday morning rail news: South Shore moves closer to start of Double Track project with demolition agreement In another step toward the start of the South Shore Line’s Double Track project, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Board of Trustees on Monday approved a $2.7 million contract for demolition work in Michigan City, Ind. The […]
Still more Monday morning rail news: Study planned of Dubuque-Rockford rail service A Dubuque, Iowa, group is planning to contract for a study to restore rail passenger service between Dubuque and Rockford, Ill., once a proposed Chicago-Rockford service is revived. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports the committee of government and economic officials from Dubuque […]
CHICAGO — John Plante, a strong proponent of railroad safety during his long career at the Chicago Transit Authority and Metra, is leaving the commuter rail agency’s board after serving seven years. Plante was honored by his fellow directors with a resolution citing his tenure at Metra where he served as board treasurer and chairman […]
Tuesday midday rail news: NS train derails near Cincinnati, blocking route Norfolk Southern is reporting to shippers that a derailment of a manifest train west of Cincinnati this morning has blocked a single-track main line and resulted in track and switch damage. The railroad estimates service will be restored by 5 p.m. today. The accident […]
In April 1965, the Mississippi River rose enough at Savanna, Ill., to endanger diesel traction motors, but the tracks were still passable. So, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy fired up fantrip 2-8-2 Mikado No. 4960, which ferried freight and passenger trains (like the North Coast Limited, pictured) through the high water. Photo by Chicago, Burlington & […]
Friday afternoon rail freight and logistics news: UP opens Minneapolis intermodal terminal, will launch service to LA Union Pacific will begin offering intermodal service to Minneapolis-St. Paul in January 2021 following today’s opening of its Twin Cities Intermodal Terminal in Minneapolis. The new service will feature domestic intermodal service between the Twin Cities and Los […]
More Thursday morning rail news: CTA approves budget, but still faces cuts without federal help The Chicago Transit Authority approved a 2021 operating budget of $1.645 billion on Wednesday, but warns significant service cuts could be on tap without additional federal aid. WTTW.com reports the agency faces a $327 budget gap without such aid, but […]
More Wednesday morning rail news: BNSF ends nighttime operations on Aurora, Ill., spur as neighbors complain about noise BNSF Railway has ended nighttime operations on an Aurora, Ill., spur that had led to complaints from neighbors about noise from train horns. Kane County Connects reports the railroad is resuming first-shift operations on the Nifa Spur […]
