Burlington’s other Zephyrs deserve a spotlight

Burlington Route Houston Zephyr

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, commonly known as the Burlington Route, had many other Zephyrs. While not as prestigious as the Pioneer, Twin Cities, Mark Twain, Denver and California Zephyrs, these other streamlined trainsets and services, famously named after the Greek God of the West Wind, deserve a spotlight.   Sam Houston Zephyr Fort […]

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Rock Island passenger trains remembered

A red train approaching an intersection

Rock Island passenger trains: All through May 2024, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history and heritage of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. Please enjoy this photo gallery of Rock Island passenger trains, originally published online in July 2017. […]

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DC Metrorail retires 2000-series railcars

Subway train pulling into station

WASHINGTON — DC Metrorail has retired its 2000-series railcars, the oldest equipment in its fleet. The cars’ last day of service was Friday, May 10, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said in a press release. The cars, built by Italy’s Breda with final assembly in Beech Grove, Ind., debuted in 1983, arriving about two […]

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Metro-North completes new 400,000-square-foot shop building

Group of people on floor of shop building

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. — Metro-North Railroad has completed upgrades to its maintenance facilities at Croton-on-Hudson, opening a new 400,000-square-foot Harmon Shop building to complete a multi-year project. The facility opened on Friday can handle repairs for the entire Metro-North electrified fleet, including 12 carhoists, four pedestal tracks, and multiple door-level and roof-level platforms to aid in […]

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CPKC Final Spike Steam Tour | Canada into U.S.

Welcome to Canada! It’s April 26th, 2024, and Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 is on its way to Mexico. The preserved vintage steam locomotive is on a public relations tour to celebrate the one year anniversary of the merger between the Canadian Pacific and the Kansas City Southern to create the CPKC railroad, operating a […]

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Santa Barbara agency asks for agreement for launch of Metrolink service

Amtrak_Metrolink_Lassen

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The board of directors of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments has directed its staff to prepare a formal agreement for commuter rail service between Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, following a meeting of the organization on Wednesday, KEYT-TV reports. The proposal would add an early-morning Metrolink trip for commuters […]

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Passenger rail committee launched in central Texas

Passenger train in background with station in foreground

AUSTIN, Texas — Two Central Texas county judges have announced the formation of a committee to pursue passenger rail service in the region. The Austin Monitor reports that Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Bexar County judge Peter Sakai this week said they have fored the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee, a 24-member group seeking […]

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News photo: Preparing for the Borealis

Passenger train next to lake under dramatic dark clouds

LAKE CITY, Minn. — Gearing up for the May 21 launch of the Chicago-St. Paul Borealis, Amtrak ran a special test train between the two cities on Tuesday, May 7, using the planned Horizon and Amfleet equipment and operating on the train’s schedule. The trip included all scheduled stops. The special is shown here in […]

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