California’s high-speed rail Rod Diridon Sr., 85, a crusader for high speed rail, grew up in the small Northern California town of Dunsmuir. There, he worked for the Southern Pacific during summers and vacations when he was a college student, starting in the late 1950s. The steam era was ending, but steam-era technology was […]
CAÑON CITY, Colo. — The Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance has purchased the former Denver & Rio Grande Western depot in Cañon City and plans to make it “a hub serving businesses, residents, and tourists.” The 1909 structure is located at 816 Royal Gorge Blvd., the intersection of U.S. Route 50 and State Route 115. “We […]
Let’s travel abroad During a Trains Magazine photo charter at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in fall 2024, a group of British and European photographers decided to travel abroad to the U.S. to join Trains staff at the D&SNG and, in the days following, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic with Pete Lerro of […]
NEW YORK — The gold spike from the 1923 ceremony marking completion of the Alaska Railroad, in private hands since it was driven by President Warren G. Harding, is up for sale. Auction house Christie’s announced plans for a January sale of the spike in a social media post earlier this month. A listing on […]
Pennsylvania Railroad T1 technology The Pennsylvania Railroad had a reputation for blazing its own path, setting a standard different from the rest of the railroad community. Such is the case with its T1 class 4-4-4-4 duplex locomotives. In spring 1942, prototypes Nos. 6110 and 6111 were quietly rolled from the Baldwin Locomotive Works. The Pennsy […]
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A former Amtrak station in Grand Rapids is for sale, but if you’re interested in buying, be prepared for a big dent in your budget. The news site Mlive.com reports the building, on a 0.6 acre lot, is being offered for $1.5 million by developer Jonathan Bryant of the firm Underground […]
As many of you know, my primary modeling interest is the early days of the Burlington Northern (1970-1974) in Crookston, Minn., my hometown. One of the rail-served industries that has long intrigued me is the Otter Tail Power Co. (OTPCO) power plant. The 10,000 kilowatt plant, which hugged the banks of the Red Lake River […]
For a fifth straight year, the revival of the much-loved narrow gauge East Broad Top Railroad in Pennsylvania has made Trains News Wire’s year-end Top 10. The rebirth of this 33-mile-long coal-hauler turned preservation tourist railroad began in 2020 with the formation of the nonprofit EBT Foundation, Inc. by industry leaders Henry Posner III, Wick […]
In general terms, America is not a country with great affinity for nationalization. The machinations of the American economy are diametrically opposed to the principles of nationalization. However, that doesn’t mean that the U.S. has never dabbled in the practice. The United States Railroad Administration (USRA) is an example. In the interest of clarity, I’ll […]
HARRIMAN, Wyo. — Union Pacific has demolished an at least 70-year-old water tower on its Harriman Cutoff line over Sherman Hill, the news site Cowboy State Daily reports, to the dismay of locals who say they would have mounted a preservation effort if given the opportunity. On Wednesday, Dec. 17, UP spokesman Mike Jaixen told […]
Our 2023 rail preservation review illustrated a focus on new and renovated museum facilities. In 2024, focus shifted to activities involving locomotives and rolling stock. Of the 79 preservation stories on Trains News Wire this year, 47 relate to locomotives or railcars. Still, buildings did play a role in preservation this year; one of the […]
When mourners gather Thursday for services at the Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Auburn, Calif., it will mark a special occasion for anyone associated with the once-upon-a-time Southern Pacific Railroad: a moment to appreciate a true SP hero, James C. Mahon, known from Sacramento to San Antonio as “The Bear.” Railroaders in charge […]
