Milwaukee train No. 6, the Morning Hiawatha, passes Tower A20 near Northbrook, Ill., on July 29, 1969. Ahead lies Chicago Union Station. Jim Scribbins photo […]
Rondout action
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
Valpo Dummy commuter train
Indiana’s Valpo Dummy commuter train could not garner the public support and funding needed to survive into the modern era. In the 1890s, the Pennsylvania Railroad began operating commuter trains between Chicago and Valparaiso, Ind. Over the next century the service remained largely frozen in time, with operations changing relatively little as the trains passed […]
South Shore acknowledges issues with new schedules, promises improvements
CHESTERTON, Ind. — South Shore Line commuter rail service has been experiencing some growing pains with its expanded schedule, to the point that Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District President Mike Noland on Friday issued a letter to riders vowing to do better. With the completion of its $378 million Double Track project between Gary and […]
Two UP trains derail in Arkansas; Texas Eagle cancelled St. Louis-Ft. Worth for two days
EMMETT, Ark. —Ten cars of a Union Pacific freight train derailed Saturday afternoon, May 25, at Emmett, Ark., about 7 miles northeast of Hope, Ark. The track continued to be blocked Sunday afternoon as crews worked to remove cars and repair the damage, according to spokeswoman Meg Siffring. A second train had derailed a day […]
MBTA sets June maintenance shutdowns on Orange, Red lines, six commuter routes
BOSTON — The Orange and Red lines will be the focus of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s ongoing track repair work for its rapid transit lines in June, while six commuter rail lines will also see service disruptions. Three outages planned on Orange Line On the Orange Line, a 10-day closure between Wellington and Back […]
New Orleans historic streetcar line to receive spark in additional ADA compliance
New Orleans — The historic St. Charles streetcar line of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is expected to receive a spark in additional improvements in its ADA compliance and handicapped accessibility. This will be possible with over $5 million in funding from a recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, recently announced by Congressman Troy […]
Metra opens new station on UP North Line
CHICAGO — Metra has opened a new $27 million station on Union Pacific’s North Line. The Peterson/Ridge station opened May 20. It includes two six-car platforms; heated concrete stairs and ADA-compliant ramps; a glass and masonry warming house with side canopies and metal roof; two shelters with on-demand heating; an access drive with a cul-de-sac […]
Wisconsin governor proposes passenger trains to NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has proposed running special Amtrak trains to Green Bay during next year’s NFL Draft. In the last few years, the draft announcements have become big business, drawing thousands of people to host cities. The 90th version of the NFL Draft will be held in Green Bay, home […]
Downed catenary halts Amtrak and commuter service between New York and Philly
Amtrak and commuter service between New York and Philadelphia was suspended for hours at the height of the evening rush hour on Wednesday after catenary came down in Kearny, N.J. Service between New York and Newark, N.J., was initially suspended at 5:05 p.m., prompting backups that cascaded along the Northeast Corridor. An Amtrak spokesman told […]
Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 to pull public excursion
SILVIS, Ill. — Railroading Heritage of Midwest America and the Central States Steam Preservation Association announced today that Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 will pull a public excursion June 29 on the Iowa Interstate Railroad. According to the two sponsors, the trip is being run as an educational fundraiser to promote railroad safety. The train […]
Second Chicago-St. Paul train shows value of frequency, capacity: Analysis
WINONA, Minn. — The first westbound trip of Amtrak’s new Borealis wasn’t flawless. A “technical problem” with a credit card reader delayed the café car’s opening. A pesky lock on the platform wheelchair lift’s enclosure at the Sturtevant, Wis., stop contributed to delay, as did the decision to open only one vestibule trap at downtown […]
Colorado voters unlikely to be asked to fund Front Range rail project this year
DENVER — It appears a ballot measure to fund Colorado’s Front Range Passenger Rail project will not go to voters until 2026. Colorado Public Radio reports that members of the Front Range Passenger District board said that a 2026 vote would be “the best course of action,” as it would allow the measure to go […]
