You have to be tough to survive the railroad. Just look at any train crew, mechanic, or switchman. Just look at any piece of motive power or rolling stock. Just look at this trio of Western Pacific diesel locomotives awaiting their next call to duty in this Stockton, Calif., roundhouse scene in August 1965. […]
Emigrant Gap The caboose roof glistens with moisture as Southern Pacific Extra 6311 East climbs through the Donner Pass mist at storied Emigrant Gap, 65 miles out of Roseville and nearly a mile above sea level in October 1957. Philip R. Hastings photo […]
Diesel disruptor Four U25B demonstrators climb upgrade on the Northern Pacific near Blossburg, Mont., in 1961. The U25B brought GE into the heavy diesel market, and within a few years the company had eclipsed Alco for the No. 2 spot among locomotive builders. General Electric photo […]
Fun-size railroading Buffalo Creek & Gauley motorcar B shows off rear door, two backup lights, and a coupler. The West Virginia short line connected with the Baltimore & Ohio Dundon. James R. Greene photo […]
The year 1946, when both the A.C. Gilbert Co. and the Lionel Corp. brought out their first full lines of electric trains for the postwar era, saw both heralding new locomotives equipped with a mechanism capable of producing smoke. Another milestone in the quest to market more realistic miniatures had been achieved. Truth be told, […]
Pennsy power A Pennsylvania Railroad M1 4-8-2 and a pair of PA passenger diesels, both assigned to helper service, are seen at Ralston, Pa., on a damp May 4, 1957. Note the crewman climbing the steam locomotive. Jim Shaughnessy photo […]
Scenic wonder Curved windows along the edge of the roof give the Santa Fe’s Hi-Level lounges, a signature of the all-coach El Capitan, a bright, airy feeling. A smaller lounge-buffet is on the lower level. Budd Co. photo […]
On this episode of Bob’s Train Box, Bob takes a look at a Lionel steam locomotive that he acquired, sold, and bought again. We’ve all been there, right? Then, he and CTT editor Hal Miller have a look at some structures for small and odd spaces on your layout. Then they both have a look […]
On this episode of Bob’s Train Box, Bob takes a look at a Lionel steam locomotive that he acquired, sold, and bought again. We’ve all been there, right? Then, he and CTT editor Hal Miller have a look at some structures for small and odd spaces on your layout. Then they both have a look […]
Articulated study Pittsburgh & West Virginia 1102, from the first group of 2-6-6-4s, is in as-built condition at Rook, Pa., in May 1940, with footboards and tender booster. The 132-mile railroad had seven such locomotive. Nos. 1100–1102, built 1934, had boosters on rear tender truck, which were removed in 1944. Harold K. Vollrath collection […]
Rock Island resourcefulness The Rock Island converted an old flatcar to a ramp in Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1961. One truck and coupler is still in place (note the wheel stops on the track just to the right of the ramp). D. E. Winter photo […]
Before the whiteout Wearing the handsome yellow, black, and red Kansas City Southern passenger-diesel livery, E8 No. 28 is at Sallisaw, Okla., with the New Orleans-Kansas City Southern Belle in June 1962. KCS began using a version of this paint scheme, introduced with the Belle in 1940. The railroad later went to all-red and all-white […]
