Chicago & North Western (C&NW)

The Chicago & North Western Railway became one of the Midwest's best-known railroads by combining extensive freight operations with fast passenger service linking Chicago to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Its celebrated "400" passenger trains helped establish the railroad as a household name among rail travelers and continue to inspire collectors today.

Collectors searching for Chicago & North Western model trains often build rosters featuring both streamlined passenger equipment and classic Midwestern freight operations.

The Twin Cities 400 remains the railroad's most famous passenger train, joined by the Flambeau 400 and other members of the "400" family. These streamlined trains became symbols of speed and comfort, making their locomotives and passenger cars some of the most desirable Chicago & North Western railroad models.

Collectors frequently search for Twin Cities 400 model trains, passenger cars, and complete consists that capture this memorable era of Midwestern railroading.

Chicago & North Western handled everything from agricultural products and merchandise freight to coal and intermodal traffic. Popular locomotive models include classic diesel power finished in the railroad's distinctive yellow-and-green paint scheme alongside freight cars that served throughout the Midwest and western United States.

If you're looking for Chicago & North Western model trains for sale, our inventory may include new, pre-owned, vintage, collectible, discontinued, retired, and hard-to-find C&NW locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, train sets, and railroad models.

Because of its popularity, Chicago & North Western equipment has been produced by many leading manufacturers. Collectors can find C&NW railroad models from Lionel, Atlas, Athearn, Bachmann, Broadway Limited, Walthers, ScaleTrains, InterMountain, and Kato.

Whether you're collecting Twin Cities 400 passenger equipment or diesel-powered freight trains, Chicago & North Western remains well represented across numerous scales.

Many Chicago & North Western collections feature Twin Cities 400 passenger trains, diesel locomotives, freight cars, cabooses, and railroad models collected over many years. If you're ready to sell a larger Chicago & North Western model train collection, Trainz reviews qualifying collections and estate collections containing multiple pieces.

Learn how the Trainz buying process works.

Does the Chicago & North Western Railway still exist?

No. The Chicago & North Western Railway was acquired by Union Pacific Railroad in 1995. Even after the merger, C&NW locomotives and freight cars remain favorites among collectors and model railroaders.

What is the Chicago & North Western best known for?

The railroad is best known for the Twin Cities 400 passenger train, the family of "400" trains, its yellow-and-green diesel locomotives, and extensive Midwestern freight operations.

What are the most collectible Chicago & North Western model trains?

Collectors frequently search for Twin Cities 400 passenger sets, Flambeau 400 equipment, diesel locomotives, freight cars, cabooses, and classic Chicago & North Western railroad models.

Who makes Chicago & North Western model trains?

Manufacturers including Lionel, Atlas, Athearn, Bachmann, Broadway Limited, Walthers, ScaleTrains, InterMountain, and Kato have produced Chicago & North Western locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, and train sets over the years.