Amtrak CEO says ‘human error’ caused signal problems that snarled traffic at Chicago Union Station (UPDATED) NEWSWIRE

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Metra and Amtrak trains move into Chicago Union Station in March 2017. Traffic in and out of Union Station was snarled for much of Thursday by Amtrak signal issues. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson has offered an explanation and an apology for signal problems at Chicago Union Station that snarled Metra […]

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Viral video shows beginning of Ohio freight train derailment NEWSWIRE

LUCASVILLE, Ohio – The beginning of a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment in southern Ohio was caught on video by drivers on nearby U.S. Route 23. That video has since gone viral on Facebook with more than 140,000 views as of Friday afternoon. WCHS-TV reports that six cars eventually derailed on the north side of […]

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South Shore approves contract with Metra; deal runs through 2024 NEWSWIRE

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A South Shore commuter train approaches the Hegewisch station in south Chicago. A new contract between South Shore and Metra covers South Shore’s service to Hegewisch, in Metra’s service area, as well as South Shore’s use of 14 miles of Metra trackage. TRAINS: David Lassen CHESTERTON, Ind. — The South Shore commuter system has approved […]

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Metra sets launch date for new reverse-commute service NEWSWIRE

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A screen image capture of the cover of a report studying reverse commuting on Chicago’s Metra. Metra CHICAGO — A March 4 launch date has been scheduled for the start of new reverse-commute service on Metra’s Milwaukee District North Line, officials have announced. The new service is intended to provide improved outbound transportation from Chicago’s […]

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World squash championship being played at Chicago Union Station NEWSWIRE

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Squash players during a championship match at Chicago Union Station. Professional Squash Association screen image capture CHICAGO — There’s a squash in the Great Hall at Chicago Union Station. No, not a squash of passengers from Amtrak or Metra commuter trains. Squash as in the sport played on a court with rackets and a ball. […]

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Developers seek to build high-rises above Metra tracks near Soldier Field NEWSWIRE

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CHICAGO — Real estate developers have rekindled decade-old plans to build high-rise buildings above 34 acres of railroad tracks near downtown Chicago used by Metra Electric and South Shore Line trains and formerly used by the old Illinois Central. The key developer, Gerald Fogelson, is responsible for building the massive Central Station residential development on […]

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Former Trains staffer, video producer Paul Schneider dies NEWSWIRE

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Paul D. Schneider train-watching at Fullerton, Calif. David Styffe LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Railroading has lost one of its most versatile and accomplished storytellers. Paul D. Schneider, 64, died peacefully on Feb. 15, 2019, at the Rehabilitation Center on La Brea, in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Fairfax, where he had been living for several […]

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Twin Cities light rail lines see ridership increase as demographics change NEWSWIRE

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Metro Transit light rail in downtown Minneapolis. Steve Glischinski MINNEAPOLIS – The Twin Cities two light rail lines set ridership records in 2018, Twin Cities Metro Transit announced Monday. The Green Line, which connects downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota, saw 13.8 million rides, a 5 percent increase from the […]

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Renovated Tomah, Wis., Amtrak station to open Feb. 13 NEWSWIRE

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TOMAH, Wis. — Tomah’s renovated Amtrak station will open on Wednesday, Feb. 13. A dedication ceremony is set for 4:30 p.m., the Tomah Journal reports. There is also a town hall meeting that evening featuring a representative of the Wisconsin Rail Passenger Association, discussing the status of the Empire Builder and the possibility of a […]

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Duluth museum to return Northern Pacific SD45 to operation NEWSWIRE

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No. 3617 rests in the museum hall in October 2016. Brian Schmidt DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Railroad Museum has begun a fundraising campaign to return Northern Pacific SD45 No. 3617 to operation. The locomotive was donated to the museum by Canadian National in 2007 after service on Wisconsin Central and CN. Wisconsin Central […]

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