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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..

Current Issue

Vol. 49, No. 4 (2025-4)
Issue No. 305

Features:

Journal Spotlight

Mumford & Sons “Railroad Revival Tour”

Chicago’s Big Six

The life and times of Chicago’s major intercity passenger terminals. — by Kevin Mckinney

Metra: Chicagoland’s Rail Commuter Service

Eleven vital routes that keep Chicago moving. — by Kevin Mckinney

Trailblazer: One Great Day on Metra’s Day Pass

A winter’s day out in the Windy City. — by Russell T. Sharp

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

Celebrating steam and diesel in the Old Line State. — by David Baer

My Most Memorable Christmas Eve

Santa visits the Empire Builder in 1982. — by Thomas White

The Amtrak Diaries, Part 15

Jonesy’s Big Adventure continues with a move to California. — by Mark W. Jones

Departments

On the Point/Editorial by Kevin J. Holland

The Journal/News compiled by Kevin McKinney

North American Intercity/Kevin McKinney

Window on the World/Kevin McKinney

Rail Users’ Network/Richard Rudolph, PhD, Rail Users’ Network

Capitol Unlimited/Jim Mathews, Rail Passengers Association

Rush Hour/Kevin McKinney and Scott Ornstein

Transport Action Canada/Terence Johnson, Transport Action Canada

Mail, Express, and L.C.L./letters from our readers

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Passenger Train Journal is the only magazine dedicated to the world of passenger, commuter, and rapid transit trains of yesterday and today.