Follow along as passenger train #11, “The Hawkeye”, makes its way from Chicago to Sioux City, Iowa, in 1966 on the Illinois Central. Video by Michael Armstrong. […]
Zone & Region: Midwest
Pennsy steam prowess
A Pennsylvania Railroad T1 4-4-4-4 pauses with an eastbound train at Fort Wayne, Ind. The railroad had 52 such “duplex” steam locomotives, along with other wheel arrangements. Robert A. Hadley photo […]
Granger scene
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 […]
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 […]