MIDWEST RAIL RANGERS:
AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE DO
You would probably never watch the History Channel or Travel Channel with the audio turned off. Imagine all of the important information you would be missing! The same principle applies to a train ride. If you do not have interpretive guides aboard providing live narration, or a route guidebook in your hand, you're going to miss out on many interesting stories about the people, places, and history passing by outside the window.
That's where the Midwest Rail Rangers come in.
Headquartered in Luck, Wisconsin... a stone's throw from the old historic Soo Line... we're a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to educate railroad passengers about what they are seeing out their window. The Midwest Rail Rangers do this by providing live narration aboard trains across the Midwest, including our regular programs on the South Shore Line, which are sponsored by Indiana Dunes State and National Parks. We also present seasonal programs at the Illinois Railway Museum outside of Chicago, and at the North Shore Scenic Railroad in Duluth. We also know our guides can't be on every train, so we extend our mission by providing more than two dozen guide books, e-books, and podcasts for sale through our Rail Rangers online store.
Our organization offers eight different types of organized programs for people to attend:
You can join the Midwest Rail Rangers one Saturday per month year-round on the South Shore Line, a 90-mile interurban railroad line in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Our Interpretive Guides provide live narration and historical information about the cities and natural areas along the way. These talks are official programs of both Indiana Dunes State and National Parks, and are presented in association with the NICTD (Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District).
On select dates, Midwest Rail Rangers guides can also be found presenting onboard educational programs on the Illinois Railway Museum's Nebraska Zephyr train. Members of our organization have spent many years researching and writing about the Burlington Zephyrs, including interviews with the granddaughter of Edward Budd, and several great grandchildren of former CB&Q president Ralph Budd. Come out to the Illinois Railway Museum and learn interesting facts about the CB&Q and its historic fleet of Zephyr streamliners.
On select dates, Midwest Rail Rangers guides can also be found presenting onboard educational programs at the North Shore Scenic Railroad in Duluth, Minnesota. We can be found in the various historic dome cars on their excursion trains. Learn about the Sky View full-length dome car that once ran on the historic Santa Fe route from Chicago to Los Angeles. We also tell the history of Silver Club, a dome car that operated on the historic California Zephyr route. Finally, our guides also share the history of the Puget Sound dome car.
On special occasions, our Interpretive Guides provide educational programs aboard Private Rail Excursions. These trips take place on vintage passenger equipment first operated during the early-to-mid 1900s. Guides provide private rail program passengers with fun and interesting narration, custom-made route guide sheets, and books. Programs are available in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. We appreciate our partnership with private car owners, who make public trips possible.
You can catch us at various Outreach Events, such as train shows for historical presentations. Some past appearances have included Trainfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin... Mad City Rail in Madison, Wisconsin... and the Titletown Train Show in Green Bay, Wisconsin. We also partner with local libraries to host presentations and book signings about rail history. We are always looking for new outreach locations... so if you know of a great venue... let us know!
Our efforts extend beyond just our popular live onboard programs. The Rail Rangers have researched, written, and published an extensive series of route guide books that rail passengers can purchase to learn even more about their train's route. These books are now also available in an e-book (PDF) and podcast (MP3) form, too, to make your travels that much easier. Purchase the items from our Online Store to help enhance your next train ride.
If you live outside of the Midwest... or are unable to travel... you are encouraged to participate in our Rail Rangers on the Road virtual programs. We began doing online episodes in 2020 when COVID-19 sidelined our in-person programs aboard trains. We continued producing new episodes for four years, through June 2024. All episodes will always continue to be available on-demand.
SOUTH SHORE LINE PROGRAMS:
Our most frequent onboard educational programs take place on the South Shore Line, a historic 90-mile-long railroad line that runs between Chicago, Illinois - Millenium Station and South Bend, Indiana - Aiport Station. Interpretive Guides present one onboard educational program per month, usually on a Saturday, in partnership with the Indiana Dunes State and National Parks, plus also the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD). We have been providing these educational programs aboard South Shore Line trains since August 2017.
To view our complete upcoming schedule of programs on the South Shore Line, click the "Upcoming Programs" link on the left side of your screen.
We would like to thank the National Park Service (NPS) and Indiana Dunes National Park, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Indiana Dunes State Park, plus the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD/South Shore Line) for their ongoing support of our onboard educational programs between Chicago and South Bend. Without their support, our efforts to educate passengers would not be possible.
For more information about the Rail Rangers on the South Shore Line, click the link below that will take you to some frequently asked questions.
HISTORY PROGRAMS ABOARD THE NEBRASKA ZEPHYR:
The Midwest Rail Rangers and the Illinois Railway Museum, located in McHenry County, Illinois, have a Memorandum of Understanding in place. This ongoing arrangement allows for Midwest Rail Rangers Guides to be aboard the historic Nebraska Zephyr, which is owned by the museum. On select dates, typically in the summer, our Guides present onboard historical programs for visitors/riders.
The Midwest Rail Rangers has spent several years now conducting in-depth research and writing about the history of the famed Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Zephyr streamliner trains. This has led some of our members to conduct in-person interviews with family members of those who played key roles in the design of the trains. We had the honor to conduct the last interview ever done with the granddaughter of Edward Budd, builder of the Nebraska Zephyr. We also are in regular contact with some of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of CB&Q President Ralph Budd. Plus, the Midwest Rail Rangers has been bestowed original Zephyr blueprints by the daughter of Albert Dean, designer of the Nebraska Zephyr and many of the other Zephyrs, too!
We are excited that the Illinois Railway Museum, in Union, Illinois (60 miles northwest of Chicago), also agrees that sharing the history of the Burlington Zephyrs is an important mission. The agreement made allows for Midwest Rail Rangers interpretive guides to present onboard educational talks to passengers approximately three to four days per year. Special photographs and historical items from the Zephyrs will also be made available onboard the train for viewing. The Midwest Rail Rangers will post the dates to our programs in the "Upcoming Programs" tab on the left. We also encourage everyone to visit the Illinois Railway Museum any day they are open, as it houses one of the finest collections of equipment anywhere in the world.
The Nebraska Zephyr arrived at the Illinois Railway Museum in September 1968. What became the twin Nebraska Zephyr trainsets were built in 1936 by the Budd Company as the second pair of Twin Zephyrs, built for service between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul, both of which had cars named for classical deities. One trainset was known as the "Train of the Goddesses" and its cars were named Venus, Vesta, Minerva, Psyche, Ceres, Diana, and Juno. The other trainset was known as the "Train of the Gods" and its cars were named Apollo, Mars, Neptune, Cupid, Vulcan, Mercury, and Jupiter. Each consist included the following cars: cocktail lounge/power car, two 60-seat coaches, a coach-dinette, dining car, a parlor car, and a parlor-observation car. Early typical motive power for these trains was provided by a pair of shovel-nose diesels named Pegasus (CB&Q #9904) and Zephyrus (CB&Q 9905).
PROGRAMS ABOARD THE NORTH SHORE SCENIC:
The Midwest Rail Rangers and the North Shore Scenic Railroad, located in Duluth, Minnesota, have a partnership to tell the history of their dome cars. This ongoing arrangement allows for Midwest Rail Rangers Guides to be aboard their historic first class dome cars. On select dates, typically in the summer and fall, our Guides present onboard historical programs on the domes.
The Midwest Rail Rangers has spent many hours reseraching the history of the three dome cars in use at the North Shore Scenic Railroad. This approximate 25-mile railroad line operates between the historic depot in Duluth, along the shores of Lake Superior, and up to Two Harbors, Minnesota. Guides with our group share the history of the cars with passengers, as well as sell our special book on dome cars that was custom designed for the North Shore Scenic Railroad.
Passengers will learn the history of the Santa Fe Big Dome, Sky View. The Big Domes were a fleet of streamlined dome cars built by the Budd Company for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in 1954. Budd built a total of 14 cars in two batches. The Santa Fe operated all 14 on various streamlined trains until it conveyed its passenger trains to Amtrak in 1971. The Santa Fe retained one as a business car and sold the remaining 13 to the Auto-Train Corporation, which operated them for another ten years. Sky View was taken up to Alaska and used in tourist service there. It then returned to the Lower 48 and was used by Iowa Pacific, before coming to the North Shore Scenic Railroad.
We also tell the history of the Silver Club, a dome car used in service on the historic California Zephyr. The train used Vista-Dome cars almost exclusively so that passengers could be afforded maximum views of their trip through the Rockies and Feather River Canyon. We also share the history of the Puget Sound dome car, which was donated to the North Shore Scenic Railroad. The car was constructed for the Great Northern Railway by Budd in 1955 as 46-passenger dome coach No. 1323 for GN’s flagship Empire Builder. Amtrak acquired the car in 1971, and renumbered it to No. 9463. Retired in 1985, it was sold into private ownership in 1993.
PRIVATE RAIL EXCURSIONS:
On occasion, the Midwest Rail Rangers also present our fun and entertaining educational programs aboard private rail excursions. These trips often feature luxurious observation cars from the 1950s/1960s, which are attached to regularly scheduled Amtrak passenger trains. Learn about the people, places, and history passing by outside your windows with narration from the Rail Rangers -- while experiencing what the Golden Age of Railroading was all about. Private rail car trips often depart from Chicago Union Station and span out across a seven state region of the Midwest; popular destinations include Milwaukee, St. Paul-Minneapolis, St. Louis, Quincy, Carbondale, Kansas City, and Michigan.
Private rail excursions featuring our Interpretive Guides are presented in partnership with various private car owners and/or rail tour operators. Over the years, some of our partners have included Zephyr Route Tours, Paxrail, Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, and Blue Pine Rail. We have also done programs for the Friends of the 261, American Rail Excursions, Patrick Henry Creative Promotions, Private Car Hollywood Beach, and Iowa Pacific Holdings.
There is nothing better than watching sweeping Midwestern landscapes pass by from a dome car, while enjoying a freshly-prepared meal, and listening to commentary from our Guides. You'll get so much more out of the trip when you know about all of the interesting landmarks that you can see from your window.
Providing narration aboard private rail excursion was actually the main purpose of the Midwest Rail Rangers when our organization was founded in July 2015. For our first few years in operation, our Guides would do more than one dozen private car trips every year all over the Midwest. Unfortunately, over the last decade or so, costs for private railroad car owners have skyrocketed... while more restrictions on trips have been added by Amtrak. This has resulted in many private cars being sold off to museums and the number of excursions out of Chicago being dramatically reduced.
However, they do happen from time to time! Trip itineraries and trip details are posted to the "Upcoming Programs" section of our website (use the link on the left side of this page) when trips are arranged. Advance tickets are always required to ride on a private rail excursion. Please note that the Midwest Rail Rangers NEVER directly sell tickets for any trips; tickets must be purchased from the private car owner and/or rail tour operator.
Prices tend to vary greatly depending on the destination, length of the excursion, and kind of private car experience provided.
THE MIDWEST RAIL RANGERS STORE:
We offer more than two dozen books for sale that serve as an exciting milepost-by-milepost guide to what you will see outside the window. In fact, material from many of our onboard educational programs come directly from these books! Some of our books are written by Rail Rangers co-founder Robert Tabern, and also, the late Eva Hoffman, who served as a docent aboard passenger trains in Colorado for years.
All editions are now available in their traditional hard copy book format, or downloadable PDF e-book (for those looking for a more travel-friendly option!). If you're looking for something even more laid back, then check out our podcasts which focus on the Midwestern passenger train routes. Just download our Midwest Rail Rangers MP3 Podcasts on to your digital device, plug in your earphones, and be one of the only passengers on the train learning about what is out the window.
For more information on our books, e-books, and podcasts available for purchase, check out the Midwest Rail Rangers Store: www.MidwestRails.com.
RAIL RANGERS ON THE ROAD
A new component of the Midwest Rail Rangers was born out of the long shutdown we all experienced during COVID-19.
The year 2020 started off as one of anticipation for our organization, as we were planning a number of special activities to celebrate our fifth anniversary. Unfortunately, everything came to a screeching halt in March of that year. All of our in-person programming aboard trains that we had planned so hard for was at first postponed... and then cancelled. When it became painfully clear that we would not be returning to educate passengers in-person anytime soon, our Board of Directors put its heads together on a way we could still safely interact with those who have supported us.
The result was the launch of "Rail Rangers on the Road". These virtual YouTube Live programs began "airing" at the end of June 2020. Our Interpretive Guides... who felt that they could safely travel... ended up producing 30 to 80 minute programs about various railroad destinations in the Upper Midwest... and even across the country. These programs quickly gained viewers, especially from those who chose not to travel during the pandemic. Viewers enjoyed learning about historic depots in the area... and taking train rides on anything from Amtrak to a steam locomotive in Wisconsin.
The Midwest Rail Rangers produced new episodes through June 2024. All four years worth of programs are available on our YouTube Channel on demand.
To view our archives of previously aired shows (from June 2020 to June 2024) click here.
MIDWEST RAIL RANGERS RESEARCH
The Midwest Rail Rangers conduct special historical research projects on unique pieces of passenger rail equipment... and share the results with our supporters. Some of our recent in-depth research projects have included Santa Fe's former Hi-Level Lounge Cars (Amtrak ex-Pacific Parlour Cars), what was Amtrak's last remaining dome car 'Ocean View', and the CB&Q's Mark Twain Zephyr. At one point or another, all of these train cars once traversed the rails of the Upper Midwest!
Another way you can join the Midwest Rail Rangers virtually is by enjoying our special Historical Research Projects. Our organization values railroad history and has spent several years researching and writing about unique passenger railroad cars, such as the Santa Fe Hi-Level Lounge Cars, Amtrak's last remaining dome car 'Ocean View', and the CB&Q's Mark Twain Zephyr. The results of our research is shared through a series of free websites... as well as several books and a DVD.
Here is more detailed information about each of our programs:
CHICAGO (MILLENNIUM STATION), IL - SOUTH BEND (AIRPORT), IN
ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM - UNION, ILLINOIS
NORTH SHORE SCENIC RAILROAD - DULUTH, MINNESOTA
CHICAGO TO VARIOUS LOCATIONS ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST
ROUTE GUIDE BOOKS, E-BOOKS & MP3 PODCASTS
VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE AND ENHANCE YOUR NEXT TRAIN RIDE!
VIRTUAL YOUTUBE LIVE PROGRAMMING
SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAIN HISTORICAL PROJECTS
In the mid-1950s, the Santa Fe ordered six Hi-Level Lounge Cars for its famed El Capitan. This train operated daily from Chicago to Los Angeles and featured a new concept in passenger trains with its double-decker cars. There were originally six 'Top of the Cap' lounges built. Five were subsequently remodeled for a very special First Class lounge on Amtrak's Coast Starlight called the Pacific Parlour Car. The car features a mahogany bar, booth seating area, cocktail sofas and plush comfy lounge seats on the upper level under the most magnificent dome-like glass. The bottom level features a 20-seat movie theater. These cars were sold off to private organizations in 2019. Two are located in Texas, two more are located in Michigan, one is in Wisconsin, and one is in Arizona. For more information, check out www.PacificParlourCar.com and purchase our special Sky Parlour History Book at www.MidwestRails.com.
Did you know there are no remaining dome cars in regular long-distance passenger train service? Even though Amtrak inherited numerous dome cars from the heritage railroads in May 1971, they were slowly pulled out of service... especially with the arrival of newer Superliner cars in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s. By 2010, Amtrak either sold off or scrapped all of its dome cars with the exception of "Ocean View" Dome #10031. This car was used for special occasions and charters, such as on the Hiawatha, Adirondack, Downeaster, and Cardinal trains. In 2019, Amtrak sold "Ocean View" to Paxrail, a private railcar company. It was in service at the Western Maryland Scenic tourist railroad for a few years. It was then sold to Railexco who did significant upgrades. The car is currently owned by Canadian National and used on their business train in Canada. The Midwest Rail Rangers designed www.AmtrakDome.com to remember what was Amtrak's last remaining dome car.
The Midwest Rail Rangers' most recent special historical research project involved the Burlington's Mark Twain Zephyr. Between October 1935 and April 1958, this shovel-nose train graced various routes across the Upper Midwest, including its traditional "home run" along the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri to Burlington, Iowa. Our organization spent thousands of hours, starting in February 2020, putting together the story of this train... including 23.5 years on the Burlington and more than six decades under private ownership. Our in-depth research study led us to exclusive interviews with the families of entrepreneur Edward Budd, CB&Q President Ralph Budd, and many others. The Midwest Rail Rangers released many of its findings on Zephyr history at www.ZephyrHistory.com. The Midwest Rail Rangers also released a special three-volume history book series and companion DVD; these are all available for purchase at www.MidwestRails.com.
For additional information about the Midwest Rail Rangers program, or if you are planning an upcoming private rail excursion and would like to inquire about having our Interpretive Guides aboard, e-mail guides@railrangers.org, leave us a voicemail at (847) 271-1979, or mail us at: Midwest Rail Rangers P.O. Box 615 Luck, WI 54853.
