ALTOONA, Pa. — Work is proceeding on planning for and funding a replacement for the firebox of Pennsylvania Railroad K4s-class 4-6-2 steam locomotive No. 1361 at the Railroaders Memorial Museum. FMW Solutions LLC, the engineering consultant on the $2.6 million project to restore the engine to operating condition, determined that the original squared-off Belpaire firebox […]
NEW YORK — Train crew shortages that have affected service on Class I railroads this year also have cropped up on short lines, as rail workers seek greener pastures and new hires are hard to find. Genesee & Wyoming, the largest shortline holding company, saw the number of employees leaving the railroad double in the third […]
LONDON — The British government last week published what it called the “Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands,” which sets out plans totalling £96 billion ($130 billion) to build several new rail lines in northern England. However, the plan also contained less welcome news for some parts of the country, providing notification that the […]
WINDSOR, Ontario — The Essex Terminal Railway is celebrating its upcoming 120th anniversary by unveiling a rebuilt SW1200 restored to its original colors. The short line serves industries along 54 km (33.5 miles) of track in Windsor and surrounding Essex County, across the border from Detroit. It commissioned Sarnia, Ont., firm Lambton Diesel Specialists (LDS) […]
WASHINGTON — The DC Metrorail system will continue to operate at reduced levels for the rest of 2021 as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority works to return its newest railcars to service. The Washington Post reports Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld said Monday that the decision to maintain service at the current level, […]
SoCal “Blimps” Three big “Blimp” cars leave downtown Los Angeles behind them as they proceed down PE’s four-track right of way toward Long Beach, August 1953. Reginald McGovern photo […]
My Frisco steam locomotive cab ride came on Sept. 5, 2021. It was a first for me. I knew that it would be fun and that I’d like it, but what I didn’t know was exactly how much. It was a feast for the senses. My photos here may not be great or even capture […]
Milwaukee Road locomotives All through November, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the multi-faceted Milwaukee Road. Please enjoy this photo gallery of Milwaukee Road selected from the image archives of Kalmbach Media’s David P. Morgan Library. The Milwaukee Road operated with steam, electric, and diesel motive power in its Midwest-to-Northwest service area. There are examples in […]
NEW YORK — Railroads have a stark choice. They can maintain their focus on the operating ratio, continue to bleed traffic to the highway, and lose $177 billion in revenue by 2030. Along the way railroads would shrink in line with declining volume, meaning track would be torn up, real estate sold off, railcars scrapped, […]
Here’s our 2022 steam locomotive list. As 2021 may be the best so far in the 21st century to be a steam locomotive enthusiast, 2022 is looking good too! A Big Boy is running on Union Pacific’s main lines, the last Baldwin steam locomotive built is flexing its articulated muscles on a mountain railroad, and […]
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CUMBERLAND, Md. — Trains Magazine and Western Maryland Scenic Railroad are pleased to announce the first enthusiast event to celebrate return of newly restored 2-6-6-2 No. 1309, to be held Feb. 25-27, 2022. The three-day event will be limited to 100 participants and will include a night run on the legendary Western Maryland Railway main […]
