South Carolina legislature provides more funding for Saluda Grade trail

Map of former rail route in North and South Carolina.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — South Carolina’s legislature has set aside an additional $10 million for development of the Saluda Grade Rail Trail, the Spartanburg Post and Courier reports. Lawmakers had already earmarked $5 million for the project before Norfolk Southern agreed to sell the dormant 31-mile, two-state rail route, once the steepest main line in the […]

Read More…

NRHS awards 2023 Heritage Preservation grants

Logo of National Railway Historical Society

MOORESTOWN, N.J. — The National Railway Historical Society has awarded almost $125,000 to 25 organizations as part of its 2023 Railway Heritage Preservation Grants, supporting preservation of railroad-related artifacts and media. The awards total $124,950, and range from $2,500 to $10,000. The largest single grant this year, $10,000, was received by the Center for Railroad […]

Read More…

Nickel Plate Road No. 765 celebrates Father’s Day weekend through three states

A steam engine sits waiting for passengers to board

ANGOLA, Ind. — Steam locomotive No. 765 turned in another successful operation during Father’s Day weekend while steaming through Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. Saturday, June 17, introduced the shorter Donuts & Dads and Summer BBQ trains out of Angola, while Sunday saw a repeat of last year’s Tri-State Scenic all-day excursion from Edon, Ohio, to […]

Read More…

Black Hills Central | Steam in the heart of South Dakota

In the shadows of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota, you can find one of America’s oldest tourist railroads. Welcome to the Black Hills Central Railroad (BHC). Operating between Hill City and Keystone, S.D., tourists can ride behind articulated steam locomotives over some of the steepest grades in the country. As highlighted in the August […]

Read More…

Santa Fe No. 3415 headlines tourist railroad’s anniversary

Steam locomotive with passenger car and gondola for riders in field with trees in background.

ABILENE, Kan. — In commemoration of the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad’s 30th anniversary, steam locomotive No. 3415 was in full operation on June 17 and 18. The Pacific was sidelined the previous Sunday due to feedwater issues with repairs completed last week in preparation for the Father’s Day weekend. “The feedwater issue last week […]

Read More…

Union Pacific No. 4014 | Big Boy trip to the ballpark

In June 2023, Union Pacific’s No. 4014 “Big Boy”,  a 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive, ventured out from Cheyenne, Wyo., to Omaha, Neb., for a display date at the 2023 College [Baseball] World Series. While any big steam run is noteworthy in this day and age, it was the routing that made this especially appealing. Instead of […]

Read More…

Donald G. Curry, longtime Seashore Trolley Museum restoration manager, dies at 87

Man in tan clothing and baseball cap

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine — Donald G. Curry, who devoted 70 years of his life to Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, ultimately serving as its restoration manager, died June 9 at the age of 87. Curry was recognized as a leading authority on streetcar and interurban restoration. In 2014, he was honored with a lifetime achievement […]

Read More…

BNSF donates locomotive to Railroading Heritage of Midwest America

Side view of BNSF locomotive

SILVIS, Ill. — BNSF Railway has donated former Santa Fe B40-8W No. 537 to the non-profit Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA). The unit was delivered to the RRHMA shop in Silvis this week. No. 537 was constructed by General Electric for Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe in October 1990 as part of its “Super Fleet” […]

Read More…

Pennsylvania’s Northern Central Railway to mark 10th anniversary

Modern recreation of 19th-century steam locomotive at wooden passenger station

NEW FREEDOM, Pa. — A 10th-anniversary “Ages of the Railroad” celebration is scheduled for this weekend, June 17-18, on the Northern Central Railway of York nonprofit tourist line in southeastern Pennsylvania. Highlights will include two operating steam locomotives and a diesel, with a range of passenger trips available over varying stretches of the railroad’s 17.5 […]

Read More…

New York tourist railway’s new flatcar has lengthy history

Flatcar with railings and seats added for open-air passenger use

CORINTH, N.Y. — The Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway has introduced its newest piece of equipment, a flatcar that proved to have an extensive and significant history. SC&H car No. 16151 was unveiled on June 3 for the Alco Historical & Technical Society’s annual “Alco Adventure” day. During restoration for use as an open-air excursion […]

Read More…

Refinery donates sanding tower to Indiana museum

Logo of oil company BP

NORTH JUDSON, Ind. — BP’s Whiting Refinery in Whiting, Ind., has donated a sanding tower once used by the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern to the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, solving the museum’s problem in sanding four larger locomotives recently added to its collection. The tower had been built in 1954. Museum member John Eagan contacted […]

Read More…

Santa Fe No. 3415 officially debuts for 2023

Steam locomotive with passenger car and gondola for riders in field with trees in background.

ABILENE, Kan. — Santa Fe steam locomotive No. 3415 officially debuted for its 2023 operating season on June 10, heading the regular excursion and dinner trains on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad. This comes after the railroad’s 104-year-old 4-6-2 was temporarily sidelined right before the Memorial Day weekend due to unforeseen repairs needing to […]

Read More…