Ready for the spotlight: New York Central 3001

Man at podium surrounded by cameras in front of steam locomotive

The steam community is in a happy state of shock this week with the news that New York Central 3001, one of the NYC’s famed 4-8-2 Mohawk engines, might be restored to operating condition by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, operators of famed Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 765. The announcement came Oct. 9 […]

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New York Central Mohawk No. 3001 joins Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society fleet for potential return to steam

ELKHART, Ind. — The stage is set for a new partnership between the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, the City of Elkhart, and the National New York Central Railroad Museum, announced in a press conference at the museum campus today (Oct. 9, 2024). The society — owner and operator of Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. […]

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Iowa provides $5.1 million in loans, grants for rail projects

DECORAH, Iowa — The Iowa Transportation Commission has approved loans and grants totaling $5.1 million for six rail infrastructure and development projects under the state’s Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant program. The agency says the projects will support creation and retention of 55 jobs within the three years of project completion. Receiving funding as Targeted […]

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G&W’s Ohio Central donates diesel to Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum

Maroon locomotive with yellow and gray trim

SUGARCREEK, Ohio — Genesee & Wyoming’s Ohio Central Railroad has donated a diesel locomotive, GE B23-7R No. 4092, to the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum, the museum has announced. Museum funder Jerry Joe Jacobson had a particular fondness for this locomotive model, which played a key part on his railroad, the Ohio Central System. A […]

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MTH RailKing EMD FP45 diesel locomotive (2024 version)

red and gray model engine on layout

The FP45 diesel was a passenger locomotive first produced in 1967 at the request of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. Only 14 units were made, nine for AT&SF and five for the Milwaukee Road. By the early 1980s, all but one were out of service or scrapped. Six survive in museums today. The first […]

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How Amtrak’s long-distance capacity affects pricing: Analysis

Train kicking up dust near sunset

WASHINGTON — It’s more expensive than ever to get into a bedroom or roomette on Amtrak’s overnight long-distance trains — if the accommodations are available at all on the preferred travel date. Coach passengers also endure high prices and sellouts when their destination is served by a once-daily, limited-capacity train that has an especially busy […]

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Metra O’Hare shuttle sees minimal use during Democratic convention

View of three-car train from atop building

CHICAGO — Only about 2,400 people rode Metra’s shuttle service between O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Union Station during the special service operated in August during the Democratic National Convention, the commuter operator says. That’s only about 120 per day during the Aug. 11-30 operation. Still, Metra would like to make the service permanent. Metra […]

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News photo: Iowa Interstate Family Days train

Passenger train with three cars and locomotive at each end

BLUE ISLAND, Ill. — Iowa Interstate Railroad operated a Family Days passenger train from Blue Island, Ill., its Chicago-area gateway, to Mokena, Ill., on Saturday, Oct. 5 to celebrate the railroad’s 40th anniversary. Railroad President Joe Parsons was on handle to welcome families and employees past and present, and thank them for their dedication. The […]

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Indiana’s Rochester & Erie doubles carload business in first year of operation

Red locomotive with green stripe with train of ballast cars

ROCHESTER, Ind. — It was spring 2023 when Eric Thurlow received an unexpecting phone call asking him if he’d want to become part owner in an Indiana short line. At the time, Thurlow was assistant vice president of sales and marketing at Genesee & Wyoming. On the other end of the phone was Corey Tumpane, […]

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RRHMA restoring Union Pacific café diner lounge

Yellow passenger car in shop building

SILVIS, Ill. — Railroading Heritage of Midwest America has begun restoration work on former Union Pacific café-diner-lounge No. 5016. RRHMA is advertising that tours of the car to see work in progress will be offered with the purchase of tickets to the Trains and Tractors event at Silvis Oct. 18 and 19. Plans are to […]

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The S scale Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville layout

A model railroad trackplan

Facts and features Name: Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville (Monon) Scale: S (1:64)Size: 38 x 62 feetPrototype: MononLocale: west central IndianaEra: late 1940sStyle: walk-in Mainline run: 180 feetMinimum radius: 48″ (main), 36″ (sidings and spurs)Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 1% (main), 2.5% (to staging)Benchwork: L girderHeight: 46″ to 49″Roadbed: HomasoteTrack: code 100 (main), codes 83 and […]

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