Ex-Monon 2-8-2s face each other in the Tennessee Railroad’s yard at Oneida, Tenn., where the coal-hauling short line met Southern’s CNO&TP main, late one afternoon in September 1954. Philip R. Hastings photo […]
Zone & Region: Midwest
Norfolk Southern completes soil removal work beneath East Palestine main line
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Norfolk Southern has completed removal of soil underneath and between tracks of its main line through East Palestine, the railroad announced Monday, completing a process that had been ongoing since the Feb. 3 derailment. “We promised to listen to residents and support East Palestine for the long haul. Fully cleaning up […]
Genesee & Wyoming to buy 69 locomotives from Wabtec pre-owned program
PITTSBURGH — Genesee & Wyoming will purchase 69 locomotives from Wabtec, the manufacturer’s largest order under its certified pre-owned program. The order includes 35 Dash 9 and 34 Dash 8 locomotives for the Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad; Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern Railroad; Connecticut Southern Railroad; Indiana & Ohio Railroad; New England Central Railroad; and […]
GTW gathering place
Four Grand Trunk Western passenger trains meet at Durand, Mich., in July 1950. A streamlined 4-8-4 has just arrived with No. 17; visible east of the depot is a car from No. 38, in from Alpena; Pacific 5633 is on No. 21; and Pacific 5629, having cut off from No. 56 to take water, waits […]
‘Shay It Forward’ fundraiser at Illinois Railway Museum honors Wrinn
UNION, Ill. — The Illinois Railway Museum on Saturday played host to “Shay It Forward,” a preservation fundraising event held to honor the memory and legacy of late Trains Magazine editor Jim Wrinn, who died March 30, 2022, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Fundraising activities included throttle time with the museum’s three-truck Shay locomotive, J. […]
Summer season in full steam for Santa Fe No. 3415
ABILENE, Kan. — Steam locomotive No. 3415 turned in another weekend of successful operations on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad. This comes after headlining the railroad’s 30th anniversary during Father’s Day weekend, which followed multiple sidelines to the locomotive due to unforeseen repairs in late May and issues with the injector in early June. […]
NTSB hearing on East Palestine derailment begins with look at first-responder concerns
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Concerns about firefighter training, communication between responding agencies, and the ability of first responders to receive information on hazardous materials were a focus of the morning session as National Transportation Safety Board began its hearing into the Feb. 3 derailment of Norfolk Southern train 32N, and the subsequent fire and chemical […]
Amtrak’s Midwest day-trip services
In the Midwest, Chicago stands tall as the railroading capital. In the heart of the city is Union Station, serving as a major passenger terminus for the Amtrak system. While eight long-distance trains stretch out to all parts of the country, the remaining services out of the Windy City operate as short-distance regionals. Most are […]
Metra considers significant changes to fare structure
CHICAGO — Commuter rail operator Metra would simplify its fare structure — but replace or eliminate some passes introduced since the COVID-19 pandemic— under a new proposal for 2024. The proposal was unveiled Wednesday, and the commuter operator is now seeking public comment. Metra says the intent of the plan is to create an easily […]
Norfolk Southern to fund $25 million renovation of East Palestine park
EAST PALESTINE — East Palestine’s city council has approved a master plan for revitalizing the city’s main park, a project being funded entirely by Norfolk Southern. The park improvements are expected to cost more than $25 million, bringing the railroad’s total financial commitment to the community since the Feb. 3 derailment to approximately $62 million, […]
Nickel Plate Road No. 765 celebrates Father’s Day weekend through three states
ANGOLA, Ind. — Steam locomotive No. 765 turned in another successful operation during Father’s Day weekend while steaming through Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. Saturday, June 17, introduced the shorter Donuts & Dads and Summer BBQ trains out of Angola, while Sunday saw a repeat of last year’s Tri-State Scenic all-day excursion from Edon, Ohio, to […]
Santa Fe No. 3415 headlines tourist railroad’s anniversary
ABILENE, Kan. — In commemoration of the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad’s 30th anniversary, steam locomotive No. 3415 was in full operation on June 17 and 18. The Pacific was sidelined the previous Sunday due to feedwater issues with repairs completed last week in preparation for the Father’s Day weekend. “The feedwater issue last week […]