John Emery Trust awards $250,000 in preservation grants for 2024

Emery Rail Heritage Trust logo

The John Emery Rail Heritage Trust has selected 18 applicants to receive a total of $250,000 in awards for its 2024 grants. The awards were selected from 31 applications requestion almost $850,000. They come from the trust created by Emery, a long-time Chicago resident and rail enthusiast who wanted to help preserve rail equipment and […]

Read More…

FRA hydrostatic test ‘satisfactory’ for Reading No. 2100

Pressure gauge showing 300 PSI

CLEVELAND — Restoration of Reading T-1 4-8-4 No. 2100 reached a significant milestone with a Federal Railroad Administration hydrostatic test, the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association reports. “It is with the upmost appreciation and gratitude to our supporters that after nine years of work and $1.3 million dollars in funds and volunteered labor value invested, […]

Read More…

Grand Canyon Railway No. 4960 launches 2024 steam season

A black steam locomotive pulls passenger cars down a single-track line under a blue sky

WILLIAMS, Ariz. — Winter hibernation for Grand Canyon Railway No. 4960 concluded on March 2 as the 2-8-2 headed the first excursion of the railway’s 2024 steam season, between Williams and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Off-season work since the end of the 2023 schedule included, as previously reported [See “Grand Canyon […]

Read More…

Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway | 2024 Winter Photo Special

Welcome to winter in Maine! Host Kevin Gilliam takes you along for trackside action featuring steam in the snow and chilly temperatures too. It’s all part of the charm that made the historic WW&F Rwy. such an ideal location for capturing the sights and sounds of narrow gauge railroading in February 2024. Sample these and […]

Read More…

Flour-by-Rail Project seeks funds to save, move Buffalo Creek S2

Light blue end-cab switcher with red and white trip

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Fundraising is underway to return Buffalo Creek Railroad Alco S2 switcher No. 46 to Buffalo as the next phase of the Flour-by-Rail Legacy Project, which will commemorate the role of Buffalo and the rail industry in shipping the commodity. The locomotive, built in Alco in 1947, was part of the Buffalo Creek […]

Read More…

New Hampshire reviewing bids for purchase of Flying Yankee

Three-car stainless steel streamlined passenger train

CONCORD, N.H. — The state of New Hampshire is now reviewing bids for purchase of the Flying Yankee, the 1935 Budd Co. articulated streamliner built for the Boston & Maine Railroad — including a bid from the non-profit group that has long tried to support restoration of the train that is a virtual duplicate of […]

Read More…

Steam on the Black River & Western Railroad

Join Kevin Gilliam as he revisits the New Jersey-based tourist/freight hauler. Watch the railroad’s various steam locomotives in operation here, and then catch up with restoration insights in an associated Trains Live interview found on Trains.com Video! […]

Read More…

Durango & Silverton runs its final coal-powered photo snow train

Steam engine with train crossing bridge in snowy landscape.

DURANGO, Colo. – Last weekend’s coal-fired photographer’s snow-train special marked the end of an era as the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad moves to complete its conversion to recycled motor oil as a fuel for its fleet of a half-dozen active steam locomotives. The all-day excursion was powered by 2-8-2 No. 481 (Baldwin Locomotive […]

Read More…

Shay locomotive arrives at Oregon Rail Heritage Center

Shay locomotive on flatcar

PORTLAND, Ore. — Mount Emily Lumber No. 1, a three-truck Shay locomotive, has arrived at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland, completing its move from its former home at the City of Prineville Railway. The locomotive, built by Lima in 1923, was donated by the lumber company to the Oregon Museum of Science and […]

Read More…

Tickets on sale today for Reading & Northern steam excursions with 2102

Passenger train with two steam locomotives

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Tickets will go on sale today (Feb. 15) at 9 a.m. ET for Reading & Northern Railroad’s three summer 2024 Iron Horse Rambles excursions featuring T-1 class 4-8-4 No. 2102. Two of the excursions will feature new destinations for the former Reading Co. locomotive, while the other will once again see […]

Read More…

Program to offer photographers access on Western Maryland Scenic’s Georges Creek Division

Logo of Western Maryland Scenic's Georges Creek Division

CUMBERLAND, Md. — Gunnoe Media Group and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad are collaborating to raise funds, coordinate special access, and host the first photo freight event on the Georges Creek Railway, the short line leased by the Western Maryland Scenic. Western Maryland Scenic announced in January it had signed a long-term lease to operate […]

Read More…