Passenger Train Journal

11/20/2025

After station consolidations that occurred before World War II — most notably, the opening of Cincinnati Union Terminal in 1933 and Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal in 1939 — most large U.S. cities were served by one, two, or at most three major passenger stations.Not so Chicago, where six major stations continued to serve intercity rail passengers until 1969. In terms of the number of stations, only New Orleans came close to that total, with five serving the Crescent City until New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (NOUPT) opened in 1954, resulting in the demolition of the five stations, including the original Union Station. At the time NOUPT was created, a total of 21 daily intercity departures plus one commuter train served the city on seven railroads, so consolidation was relatively easy...

The life and times of Chicago’s six major intercity passenger terminals that once connected the Windy City with the nation.

11/18/2025

FOURTH QUARTER 2025: This issue presents a trio of features focused on passenger railroading in Chicago. Senior Editor Kevin McKinney looks at the history and current status of the city’s six major passenger terminals, and then turns his attention to Metra, the rail commuter service that keeps Chicago moving over 11 busy routes. “Trailblazer” contributor Russell T. Sharp recounts a wintry day exploring the city using Metra trains and a convenient day pass. Also, David Baer looks at Western Maryland Scenic Railroad operations through the lens of its evolving steam and diesel locomotive fleet, and Thomas White recalls how he and his Burlington Northern colleagues worked to save Christmas for a group of stranded Amtrak Empire Builder passengers in 1982. All this and more in the Fourth Quarer 2025 issue of Passenger Train Journal..

09/24/2025

The 2025 Passenger Train Annual is in the warehouse and now shipping! There's still time to take advantage of our sale... Pre-publication sale ends September 30, 2025! Free U.S. Shipping during sale. Retail price $34.95 plus shipping. Order online: https://shop.whiteriverproductions.com/products/pta25

Hot off the press! From the editors of Passenger Train Journal, the 2025 Passenger Train Annual is in our warehouse and ready to ship! Haven’t ordered yet? There’s still one week left in our pre-publication sale. Order now for $30 and FREE U.S. shipping, sale ends September 30.

https://shop.whiteriverproductions.com/products/pta25

09/01/2025

WRP LABOR DAY SALE! Shop our big Labor Day Sale and save 25–30% off your favorite railroad books—now through September 2, 2025! (Some exclusions apply.)

🔥 Extra Deal Alert: Our Closeout Section is loaded with fresh markdowns— 50% off select titles, newly added today!

🔥Bonus Offer: Subscribe or renew any of our print publications and score a FREE 1-month trial to our complete digital collection! Offer valid for online orders only.

Visit https://shop.whiteriverproductions.com/collections/2025-labor-day-sale

08/27/2025

THIRD QUARTER 2025: Known originally as Acela II and more recently branded as NextGen Acela, Amtrak’s new Alstom high-speed trainsets are now poised to enter revenue service on the Northeast Corridor, replacing first-generation trains that entered service in 2000. Ralcon Wagner looks back at the passenger trains of Tennessee Central, a regional carrier that fought the good fight for passenger business until its last scheduled trains came off in 1955, and then burnished a reputation as a charter and excursion operator until reaching the corporate end of the line in 1968. Jonathan Boyle, Sr., recalls the post-presidential rail travels of Ike and Mamie Eisenhower, who had a particular fondness for travel aboard Santa Fe’s business cars. All this, plus insightful columns, the Journal and Rush Hour news digests, great photography, and more in the Third Quarter 2025 issue of Passenger Train Journal.

08/27/2025

Amtrak Next Generation Acela trains rolling out today for invited media and officials, regular service starts August 28th!

08/12/2025

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is proud to debut the restoration of PCC 1713, "The Terrible Trolley" today! Car 1713 was built in 1949 by St. Louis Car Company. The car originally ran on Pittsburgh Railways’ Charleroi and Washington interurban lines. In 1980 it was painted in the signature black and gold colors of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team to celebrate their string of Super Bowl championships. The name comes from the team's "Terrible Towel" mascot. Successor Port Authority Transit rebuilt the car in 1989, extending its service life. It was retired in 1998 and purchased by a private owner who moved it to a warehouse in Ohio where it has sat for the last 25 years. The car was acquired in 2023 and was subject to an extensive restoration inside and out. Thanks to a partnership with the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Eamon Foundation, this car has been restored to its former glory celebrating a storied football franchise and its connection to the city and surrounding communities. Look for this car to be in service at the Museum throughout the rest of the season.

08/11/2025

Your webmaster spent the day riding Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Red Line. Opened in 1955 and extended to the airport in 1968, this heavy rail rapid transit line shares some tracks and stations through downtown with the Green and Blue light rail lines. The current Red Line fleet was built by Tokyu between 1984-1985, and we're rebuilt in-house 10 years ago. The GCRTA is purchasing new Siemens S200 light rail vehicles to upgrade the fleet. These vehicles have features like dual-height doors to accommodate both high and low platforms, which will replace the heavy rail transit cars in a few years.