SILVIS, Ill. —Chicago commuter railroad Metra is donating one of the two remaining historic F40C commuter locomotives to Railroading Heritage of Midwest America. Built in 1974, Metra No. 611 spent its entire service life hauling commuter trains on Milwaukee Road lines west and northwest of Chicago Union Station. It is currently in transit from Chicago […]
The John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust has announced its restoration grants for 2026, awarding 20 projects a total of $250,000. The recipients were selected from 32 applicants seeking a total of almost $900,000. The grants were created by John Emery, a longtime Chicago resident and rail enthusiast who rode trains worldwide. His goal was […]
ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — The East Broad Top Railroad has announced a Descendants Reunion Weekend for June 13-14, 2026. The families of former railroad workers, coal company employees, and others connected with the narrow-gauge railroad are invited to return and celebrate their shared heritage. Rockhill Furnace and Robertsdale, Pa. — communities with deep connections to […]
PACIFICA, Cal. — Following more than 20 years of work, the restoration of Ocean Shore Railroad No. 1409 is finally coming together. At a recent fundraising event, the Pacifica Historical Society, which is responsible for restoring the historic 120-year-old coach, told local residents and stakeholders that work has “come a long way.” No. 1409 is […]
The preservation world is keeping 22-year-old Wil Gambardella busy. He splits his time as a volunteer at East Windsor’s Connecticut Trolley Museum and as paid staff at Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s Valley Railroad. At the former, which operates under the Connecticut Electric Railway Association, he serves in critical management roles, including the duties of […]
STRASBURG, Pa. — Railroad photographer, author, and Trains columnist Brian Solomon will lead a photo session at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania on Tuesday, March 10. The program — Railroad Photography: The Steam Locomotive — runs from 9 to 11 a.m. Using the museum’s unique collection of historic steam locomotives, built between the 1830s and […]
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. — The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society will host its annual George Washington Train Show on March 21-22. The show takes place in two venues: the C&O Railway Heritage Center (701 Main St.) and the Clifton Forge Armory (724 Commercial Ave.). A $5 admission grants access to both venues. The show is […]
PORTOLA, Calif. — The Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola will host a fundraising dinner on April 8 as part of a visit by Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy No. 4014. The dinner will feature a presentation by Ed Dickens, senior manager of heritage operations at UP. Tickets, priced at $100, are available here and […]
CLEVELAND — American Steam Railroad Preservation Association has completed a two-day steam test on American Freedom Train No. 250, with a Federal Railroad Administration inspector noting no issues during the test Feb. 26-27. The satisfactory test will allow ASR to complete the $2 million restoration to operation for the locomotive built by Reading Co. as […]
NASHVILLE — Nearly 10 years after the initial announcement to relocate Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis No. 576 from Downtown Nashville’s Centennial Park for restoration to operation at the nearby Tennessee Central Railway Museum, the Nashville Steam Preservation Society is closing in on the 4-8-4’s first fireup in nearly 75 years. This comes after hitting […]
BOONTON, N.J. — The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey will be hosting a weekend of rail excursions along the former New York Central Auburn Road branch on April 18-19, the organization announced in a Facebook post. The Auburn Road Special will offer two excursions covering what is now the east end of the […]
TOPPENISH, Wash. — Former Northern Pacific 4-6-0 No. 1364 moved under its own power for the first time in 73 years on Feb. 21, according to a Facebook post from the Northern Pacific Railway Museum. The initial run caps a decades-long restoration effort by museum volunteers. “This moment represents years of hard work by our volunteers, […]
