Soo Line No. 1003 to operate in August for Wisconsin Chapter NRHS

An image of the broadside of a black-painted steam locomotive trailing smoke and steam

HARTFORD, Wis. — Soo Line No. 1003 will make its 2025 debut while also marking the 75th anniversary of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. A partnership between the chapter and the Steam Locomotive Heritage Association — the non-profit organization that maintains and operates the locomotive — calls for the 1913-built Mikado […]

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Western Maryland Scenic announces plans for RailFest 2025

Big plume above black steam engine coming around a bend

CUMBERLAND, Md. — The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad has announced plans for the 2025 edition of RailFest, its event celebrating heritage railroading, community, and mountain adventure. RailFest 2025: A Return to the Rails, is set for Sept. 12-14. Planned events include: — A “Sunset on the Mountains” train departing Friday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. […]

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Chicago Union Station 100th Anniversary Celebration

On July 22, 2025, Chicago Union Station in Downtown, Chicago, Ill., hosted a centennial celebration of the site’s official dedication in 1925. As referenced in the companion Trains.com article, notable city, regional, state, and federal officials staged near the Great Hall to recognize the station’s quintessential role, longevity, and impactful renovations aimed to keep it […]

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Amtrak marks 100th birthday of Chicago Union Station

Interior of main waiting room at large railroad station

CHICAGO — You only celebrate a 100th birthday once, and Amtrak made sure that the milestone for Chicago Union Station did not go unnoticed. Officials including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker were on hand today for ceremonies today (July 22, 2025) marking the centennial of the station’s dedication, held July 23, 1925, although — as Amtrak’s […]

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Steam titan Ross Rowland dies at 85

Man in suit and hat with steam locomotive in background

SACKETS HARBOR N.Y. — As he approached his final days in recent weeks, Ross E. Rowland could look back secure in the knowledge that U.S. steam — indeed even the entire rail preservation scene— owes him a substantial debt. From his Golden Spike exhibition train of 1969 to the American Freedom Train of 1975-76 to […]

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