Back in 1993, the Cedar River flooded out the CNW mainline around Cedar Rapids. Mainline trains ended up making the slow 8.6-mile trek through downtown Cedar Rapids for a few days on the once orig... (more)

There are a lot of whys on this one. I don't remember why the Iowa Northern ran the CNW business train northbound out of Cedar Rapids. The next question is why I didn't chase it or at least get on... (more)

Oelwein was nicknamed Hub City from the Chicago Great Western, which came to town in 1892. Around 1900 the railroad built major car and locomotive shops in Oelwein. Over 1,000 people were employed... (more)

To go with our first snowfall of the year in SE Wisconsin, here is a shot of CNW 8546 leading a train thru St. Francis, WI on CNW's New Line in December of 1994. A little hoarfrost in the trees ad... (more)

This shot of CNW 4158 about to cross Hwy F south of Eden, WI in July of 1985 is a sentimental favorite of mine. The train is on CNW's Airline subdivision, the closest railroad to our family cottag... (more)

Working for its third or fourth owner this former PC, CR unit is handling a mixed freight for the ultimate grainger road. Photo by Mike Dolenski. From my collection.

CNW 7012 glides thru Elmhurst, IL in October of 1990. Proviso Yard is only a few miles away. CNW's safety yellow (also unaffectionately known as Zito yellow) looked good when new but faded badly a... (more)

CNW 6721 prepares to do some work at Powers, MI. in May of 1986. Once finished they will head south to Green Bay, WI. with train ESGBA.

CNW caboose 11043 trails an eastbound freight under the old coaling tower at Nelson, IL. on frigid day in January of 1985.

An empty coal train rolls west on Union Pacific's line from North Platte to the C&NW connection at Morill, WY headed back for another load in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. At this time C&NW/U... (more)

CNW 6891 prepares to leave CNW's Proviso Yard with a westbound freight in in October of 1990. The GT transfer has just arrived with their daily train.

CNW caboose 10367 trails a southbound freight thru Oak Creek, WI in July of 1987.

Led by Chicago & North Western EMD SD40-2 No. 6855, a westbound C&NW freight train curves past College Avenue between Glen Ellyn and Wheaton, Illinois, on September 17, 1989.

CNW 6836 leads a westbound freight under the Tripoli Ave. bridge in St. Francis, WI. in December of 1991. This bridge and the Norwich bridge just south of here were well known for their steep appr... (more)

C&NW 8683, 8640 and 8714 lead an Oakland-bound double-stack outfit departing Fremont, NE.