Serving Chicago

Snow-covered rail yard at freight house

Serving Chicago Chicago & North Western’s sprawling freight house at Proviso was located away from the city of Chicago, taking advantage of the available space. Jack Delano photo, Library of Congress collection […]

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NS, CN, and KCS are hiring conductors to meet rising traffic demand

Black locomotives followed by cars carrying truck trailers

WASHINGTON – The chief executives of Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, and Kansas City Southern have told federal regulators that their railroads are hiring conductors to meet expected traffic demand as volume continues to rise. Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman, responding to shipper complaints about rail service as traffic has rebounded from the pandemic, […]

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Digest: Work begins on Tehachapi Loop viewing platform

Historical markers at overlook

Tehachapi Loop viewing platform could open by mid-July Ground has been broken on a new viewing platform at California’s Tehachapi Loop, with completion expected by mid-July. The Tehachapi News reports the platform will end the need for those viewing trains at the loop to stand along a narrow shoulder of Woodford-Tehachapi Road, easing safety concerns. […]

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Digest: MARC commuter trains to resume full schedule in August

MARC commuter rail logo

After nine months of reduced service, full MARC schedule to resume Aug. 30 MARC commuter trains will resume full operations on Aug. 30, nine months after reducing service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Baltimore Sun reports that Maryland Transit Adminstration officials announced the restoration of MARC and commuter bus service on Monday, while […]

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Rocky Mountaineer, White Pass & Yukon adjust summer operating plans

Passenger train rounds curve with Rocky Mountains in background

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Despite uncertainty when the Canada-U.S. border will open, Rocky Mountaineer has confirmed it is moving ahead with limited operations on two of its three routes out of Vancouver in July and returning to a full schedule in August. Meanwhile, although Alaskan tour train operator White Pass & Yukon Route will begin […]

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LA Metro breaks ground for Airport Metro Connector

Rendering of new transit station

LOS ANGELES — With a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, LA Metro marked the formal start of work on the almost $900 million Airport Metro Connector project, which will provide the long-sought direct service for the Metro light rail system to L.A. International Airport. The new facility connect Metro’s light rail system to L.A. International Airport’s […]

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Rail Rangers educational programs to resume on South Shore trains

Woman speaking to railcar full of passengers

CHICAGO — Onboard educational programs will return to select South Shore Line off-peak commuter trains beginning July 1, following a 15-month pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The programs are offered by the Midwest Rail Rangers, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, two to three times per month on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. In addition to July […]

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‘Seatrain Georgia’

Cross section of railroad car-hauling boat

‘Seatrain Georgia’ The hull configuration of the Seatrain ships—three decks, each with four tracks (plus four tracks on the top deck)—is evident in this view of Seatrain Georgia being lengthened at Sun Shipbuilding in 1963. The vessel has been cut in two for installation of a new midsection. Hagley Museum & Library collection […]

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News & Products for the week of June 24, 2021

PIKO America Chessie System two-bay hopper with exterior posts no. 150355

Large scale freight cars  Two-bay hopper with exterior posts. Chessie System (black and yellow with Chesapeake & Ohio reporting marks) and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (Mineral Red with circle-cross herald in square and “Santa Fe” billboard lettering). One number per scheme. Removable coal load, plastic wheels, and hook-and-loop couplers. $73.99. PIKO America, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com […]

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