At terminal elevators, grain doors were stacked, collected, and sorted by the Western Weighing and Inspection Bureau for shipment back to originating railroads. These doors are stored by Milwaukee Road outside-braced boxcars. Library of Congress photo […]
Zone & Region: Midwest
Lindenwood Yard
St. Louis-San Francisco 4-8-2 No. 1516 leads train No. 1 through Lindenwood Yard in St. Louis in 1940. The Frisco had 30 such locomotives, Nos. 1500–1529, built by Baldwin beginning in 1923. William Barham photo, Don Wirth collection […]
Escanaba in the daylight
The Escanaba & Lake Superior dieselized in the mid-1940s with Baldwin locomotives, including DS-4-4-660 No. 101, purchased new in November 1947. It was the second diesel on the property and one of two of the model. Classic Trains collection […]
Fs for freight
Minneapolis & St. Louis was known for its freights that ran south from the Twin Cities through Iowa to Peoria, Ill., to connect with several eastern railroads there. This green-and-yellow set of F units was constructed in 1947, which is reflected in its road number. Classic Trains collection […]
Why the Trump train won’t run NEWSWIRE
MASON, Ohio — The cancellation of a local GOP group’s fundraiser train ride in Ohio has prompted differing explanations from the host group and the railroad which would have operated the special trains. The Dayton Daily News is reporting that the Republican Women of Warren County’s “Trump Train” fundraiser train rides, which had been set […]
MRVP Insider: Out and About with UP’s Big Boy
Union Pacific’s restored no. 4014 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotive recently roared into America’s Dairyland, and MRVP (Jenny, Kent, Ben, Diane, and David) wasn’t about to miss it! Enjoy a quick look at this massive, majestic machine steaming across the Wisconsin countryside. […]
Chicago mayor opposes plan for expanded Metra service to South Side NEWSWIRE
A Metra Electric train departs the 47th Street/Kenwood Station in May 2019. Chicago’s mayor has come out against a plan that would lower fares and increase service on the Electric and Rock Island lines, saying it would hurt Chicago Transit Authority ridership. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Mayor Lori Lightfoot has come out against a […]
Chicago suburb to apply for new Metra station NEWSWIRE
The interior of one of the new heated waiting areas at Metra’s Healy station. The station was completed earlier this year but formal opening ceremonies were held Tuesday. TRAINS: David Lassen A conductor announces information for passengers as a Metra Electric train stops at the Homewood Station in 2016. Homewood has received funds for a […]
City of Rochelle opens rail transload facility NEWSWIRE
An aerial view of the new transload site, at left, adjacent to U.S. Silica’s Rochelle operation. City of Rochelle ROCHELLE, Ill. – The City of Rochelle has opened a new transload center and rail bridge for the city’s railroad and industrial park. The Rochelle Transload Center the new bridge were part of a celebration the […]
New Illinois short line to begin operations late October NEWSWIRE
CLINTON, Ill. — Central Illinois will gain a new short line if the Surface Transportation Board OKs a filing dated Sept. 11, 2019, to lease a 10.7-mile section of the Illinois Central Railroad Charter Line. Motive Rail Inc., dba Illinois Terminal Belt, will serve two grain elevators, both Tate & Lyle Grain Inc. operations at […]
Metra outlines plans for $2.6 billion in capital spending NEWSWIRE
Metra CEO Jim Derwinski CHICAGO — Metra is promising no fare increases in 2020 while outlining plans to spend $2.6 billion over the next five years to address capital needs. The spending plan includes purchasing and refurbishing locomotives and coaches and upgrading bridges and stations. The announcement by the commuter rail agency Wednesday came as […]
Minnesota museum acquiring Northern Pacific GP9 in locomotive swap NEWSWIRE
Burlington Northern GP9 No. 1868, formerly Northern Pacific No. 245, is at Staples, Minn., on Sept. 4, 1989. Steve Glischinski DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Railroad Museum is acquiring a high-hood former Northern Pacific GP9 in trade for a former Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range diesel. Independent Locomotive Service GP9 No. 1382, at the […]