Search

CN's axle counts apparently don't apply to CN's lines in Canada. You don't see VIA running extra cars on its corridor trains, many of which are shorter than Amtrak's.

Refurbishment of the Chicago-Cardondale line is part of an Illinois transportation package that has been approved by the state legislature. Frankly, I don't think the state should have to fund basic safety improvements like making sure that gates function properly. CN seems to be the only railroad t...

Southern Railway Commission has been focusing on two-a-day Mobile-New Orleans service. Full restoration of the Sunset East would soak up all $24 million. I think the money will be spread around to several projects around the country, rather than spending the whole pot on the restoration of a long di...

RPA newsletter this week reported that all 10 baggage dorms and two sleepers have been delivered.

The 88 cars are for service on trains sponsored by Illinois, Michigan and Missouri. I'm not sure how the Hiawathas will be affected, since Wisconsin wasn't part of the original car order (preferring to buy two Talgo sets which were canceled after the election of Scott Walker, they're now sitting in ...

Boy, there's an awful of handwringing about this relatively minor service that's only run for a couple of months.

The Tribune story refers to the trains' terrible on time performance, not economic. I place the blame totally on CN's handling of the trains, not to mention the wheel count requirement. For a "precision" railroad, CN seems to have a problem running anytime on time.

There already is a Rock Island heritage unit. A Chicago and North Western unit is probably next.

1. Carbondale is a perfectly fine place to terminate a train. It's the home of Southern Illinois University, a major passenger generator. 2. Have Kentucky and Tennessee shown any interest at all in paying for an extended Illini/Saluki. I think not. 3. Extending the trains would give CN more opportun...

"Circus" tickets might refer to special rates for circus "advance men" who would travel ahead of the main circus train to promote the upcoming visit by putting up posters and otherwise let the residents of a town know that the big show was coming. 'DVS' and "VAH" might ...

There were lots of mixed trains on Amtrak during the the "express and freight" period when Amtrak tried to achieve profitability by adding MHC boxcars and flexi-vans to long distance trains as well as the oddities such as the Lake Country Limited. That program, run by Ed Ellis, failed beca...

I was under the impression that the "mail" trains carried passengers in one direction, but not the other. Or maybe it changed over the years. It seems like there were different versions of the mail trains over time.

laGange Road would be an excellent choice. There are benches on both platforms and a large number of restaurants along LaGrange Road and nearby streets.

I'm confused about the question about Highland Park. Highland Park is located in the north suburbs on the UP North Line and has a station. It's nowhere near the Electric District.

The first few miles of the Blue Island branch are in Blue Island and Calumet Park, while the rest are in Chicago proper. Perhaps Blue Island and/or Calumet Park have not applied for 'no horn zone' status or maybe somebody was on or near the tracks and a warning was needed.