BL2s and Pullmans to the Stock Yards

RockIslandBL2s

A pair of Rock Island BL2s, with an F7B between them, led the “Fat Stock Special” one night in 1956. Monty Powell In November 1956 I was a management trainee on the Rock Island Railroad in Rock Island, Ill. A special movement known as “the Fat Stock Special,” which originated in western Iowa, was coming […]

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Third Twin Cities light rail line approved to begin construction

SouthwestLRTMap

MINNEAPOLIS – The Federal Transit Administration has approved plans for the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council to begin construction on the Southwest Light Rail project, which would be the third light rail line to serve the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. On Wednesday FTA granted the Council what is known as a Letter of No Prejudice, a critical […]

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Milwaukee streetcar, ‘The Hop,’ debuts (updated) NEWSWIRE

Hop_1_Lassen

Accompanied by a police escort, a trainload of officials and dignitaries departs the Cathedral Square station, inaugurating service on Milwaukee’s streetcar line, The Hop. TRAINS: David Lassen Officials cut a ribbon adorned with — what else? — hops as part of Friday’s opening ceremonies for The Hop streetcar system. TRAINS: David Lassen MILWAUKEE — Streetcars […]

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Chicago city council approves Union Station development plans NEWSWIRE

ClintonStreetConcept

An artist’s rendering for what a redeveloped entrance to Chicago Union Station might look like from Clinton Street. Amtrak CHICAGO — The Chicago City Council gave the go-ahead Wednesday for a $900 million redevelopment plan that includes an office tower on Amtrak-owned property next to Chicago Union Station. As part of the redevelopment, the station’s […]

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