Are trains in Michigan Central’s future?

View looking up at front of Michigan Central Station.

DETROIT — The magnificent indoor space at Michigan Central Station that once hosted New York Central passenger trains has been brought back to life in spectacular fashion by the Ford Motor Company. It joins New York’s Grand Central Terminal, union stations in Washington and Chicago, and Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal as well-preserved classics built […]

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The state of the model railroad industry

The 90th anniversary logo for Model Railroader

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: “Model railroading is dying.” An adage seemingly as old as the hobby itself, right? That alone belies the truth of the statement. If it held any veracity, model railroading would be long dead, and I wouldn’t be writing this article, and you wouldn’t be reading it. It’s […]

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Michigan Central Station opens its doors

Exterior of multistory building turned gold by sunset

DETROIT — The city of Detroit has seen its share of comebacks over the past 20 years, but nothing quite like what is happening this week as it celebrates the grand opening of the renovated Michigan Central Station, the beneficiary of hundreds of millions of dollars in investment by its new owner, Ford Motor Co. […]

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Pinsly short lines join EPA’s SmartWay program

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two of Pinsly Railroad Co. short lines – Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad and the Grenada Railroad – have joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership. Developed by the EPA, SmartWay is a collaborative framework involving industry stakeholders and environmental groups to track and reduce emissions and fuel use in […]

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Last-minute agreement averts Toronto transit strike

Multi-unit light rail vehicle rounding tight curve

TORONTO — A strike by 12,000 Toronto transit workers was averted late Thursday night, with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 announcing about 11:30 p.m. that it had “reached a framework settlement with the [Toronto Transit Commission] that allows us to put the strike on hold.” The union had planned to walk out at 12:01 a.m. […]

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Metra free-ride weekend to also feature debut of museum car

Commuter train on three-track line surrounded by tall buildings

CHICAGO — Metra’s weekend of free rides to mark its 40th anniversary will also see the debut of the commuter operator’s new museum car at its LaSalle Street station, downtown terminus of the Rock Island District. The commuter operator will offer free rides across its system this Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9, to […]

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