Railfan photography special to launch season for Conway Scenic’s ‘Mountaineer’

Maroon and Gold F unit locomotives on passenger train

NORTH CONWAY, N.H. — The Conway Scenic Railroad will launch its popular Mountaineer excursion train to Crawford Notch earlier than usual in 2022, beginning with a special Railfan’s Mountaineer photography special on Sunday, May 22. The train, to be hauled by a combination of locomotives including 470 Club’s former Boston & Maine F7A diesels, is […]

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New England fall color featured in new ‘Trains’ tour

People standing trackside near diesel locomotive

The combination of classic railroading and spectacular regional autumn color will be featured in “New England Fall Colors by Rail,” an eight-day, seven-night tour sponsored by Trains magazine and scheduled for Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 2022. Hosted by former Trains Editor Kevin P. Keefe and conducted by Special Interest Tours, the tour will be based out […]

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Conrail Business & Research Trains book review

Cover of book on Conrail business trains

Between the years 1976 and 1999, Conrail business trains operated for three purposes: to enable railroad executives to travel the right-of-way for close track inspection, to look at rail facilities, and to entertain customers over Conrail lines to improve business potential and customer service. This nearly all-color, very well done 416-page, four-pound volume covers the […]

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Spring TCA York 2022 show report

Spring TCA 2022 York show

Spring TCA York 2022 notes from the field. CTT Editor Hal Miller visits the April 28-30 Eastern Division of the Train Collectors Association event in York, Pa. He checks out the O, S, and Standard gauge trains and talks to some of the personalities at the show, including YouTubers Chris’s Trains & Things, Sid’s Trains, […]

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NTSB report: Door-system failure led to death of MBTA passenger

Rapid transit equipment parked over inspection pit in shop building

BOSTON — A system meant to prevent trains from moving when a door is obstructed failed, leading to the death of a passenger on a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority rapid-transit train in April, according to a preliminary report released Monday by the National Transportation Safety Board. The Boston Herald identifies the victim as 39-year-old Robinson […]

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Celebrating Amtrak’s 50th +1

Celebrating Amtrak’s 50th +1! No force of nature or pandemic fears could keep Trains.com Producer Kent Johnson from pressing ahead with his Amtrak victory lap across America in the summer of 2021. There’s no better way to reveal the highlights and highjinks of present-day rail travel, than to document the ride along routes of notable […]

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Celebrating Amtrak’s 50th +1

Celebrating Amtrak’s 50th +1! No force of nature or pandemic fears could keep Trains.com Executive Producer Kent Johnson from pressing ahead with his Amtrak victory lap across America in the summer of 2021. There’s no better way to reveal the highlights and highjinks of present-day rail travel, than to document the ride along routes of […]

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Close clearance in yard led to 2019 NS conductor fatality

Photo of railcars on adjacent tracks, with notations showing details of fatal accident

WASHINGTON — A Norfolk Southern conductor killed in a February 2019 accident in Baltimore was riding on the side of a car in a close-clearance area — contrary to rules prohibiting such an action — when he was pinned between his train and a car on an adjacent track, according to a National Transportation Safety […]

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Conrail freight trains remembered

Diesel locomotive with alternating gondola and tank cars

Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history and heritage of Conrail all through April 2022. Please enjoy this photo gallery of Conrail freight trains selected from the archives of Kalmbach Media’s David P. Morgan Library. Conrail served a variety of customers across the railroad’s territory stretching from St. Louis and Chicago east to Philadelphia, New […]

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Amtrak to launch seasonal service between New York and Pittsfield, Mass.

Amtrak logo.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Amtrak will launch seasonal service between New York and Pittsfield as part of a two-year pilot program beginning July 8. The Berkshire Flyer, operating in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, will offer Friday service from Penn Station to Pittsfield via Albany-Rensselaer, N.Y. Return service will operate on Sundays. The Friday […]

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After first bid falls through, new buyer set for former Saratoga & North Creek line

Logo of Revolution Rail Co.

NORTH CREEK, N.Y. — The Tahawus segment of the former Saratoga & North Creek Railway has a new owner. Again. The Albany Times-Union reports that Revolution Rail will pay $2.7 million for the 30-mile segment of the line north of North Creek, which was not part of regular S&NC tourist operations. That portion leads to […]

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