Robert Tabern News Today

At the end of April, the Mississippi River was crawling out of its banks and seeping into places it didn’t belong.

HANNIBAL — The famous Mark Twain Zephyr first appeared on Oct. 25, 1935 in Hannibal for its dedication, and its historic journey to the present day has been chronicled in

Does photobombing a sandhill crane photo, William Carlos Williams’ poetic take on fall, a presentation on visiting all the national parks, and hints for a beginning angler are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

HANNIBAL — The mystique and stories surrounding the Mark Twain Zephyr are coming back to Hannibal in brilliant color, with Ray Harvey creating a mural showcasing the iconic train.

HANNIBAL — After 60 years, the Mark Twain Zephyr is on the way to transporting passengers once again, bringing back a flood of memories for people who worked on the train or saw it come to America’s Hometown for its christening in 1935. Robert Tabern, director of passenger development with the Great Northern Railroad in Trego, Wisc., told audience members at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum talked about how The Mark Twain Zephyr was built for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy R...

Bob Saar for The Hawk Eye The Mark Twain Zephyr was one of the premier trains on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad when it was put into service on Oct. 25, 1935. Its lustrous stainless-steel design made it clear the shovel-nose locomotive was new and modern. Named after author Mark Twain, the train ran between Burlington and St. Louis through Hannibal, Missouri, Twains hometown. Built by the Budd Co., locomotive No. 9903 was named Injun Joe, the bad guy in Twains seminal novel, "Tom S...