Digest: Nebraska Railroad Museum receives land donation for new home

Banner announcing Nebraska Railroad Museum

Land donated by BNSF to become new home of Nebraska Railroad Museum The Nebraska Railroad Museum has received a donation of 8 acres of land from BNSF Railway in Nebraska City, Neb., which will become the museum’s home. Cleanup and evaluation of the existing infrastructure, which includes 2,000 feet of track, has begun. The museum […]

Read More…

Colebrookdale Railroad acquires a second steam locomotive

Colebrookdale Railroad Logo

BOYERTOWN, Pa. — In cooperation with the Maguire Family Foundation, tourist line Colebrookdale Railroad announced on March 27 that it has acquired former Rio Grande Scenic Railroad 2-8-0 No. 18. The engine was built for the Lake Superior & Ishpeming in Upper Michigan by Alco (Pittsburgh) in 1910. The acquisition comes after the railroad said […]

Read More…

Nashville Steam facility, museum damaged by violent storm

Building with part of wall missing, surrounded by debris

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A violent storm Thursday damaged the shop facility where the Nashville Steam Preservation Society is restoring Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis locomotive No. 576, as well as the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. Nashville Steam reports there were no injuries, but high winds and debris destroyed a portion of the structure housing No. […]

Read More…

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania to reopen April 30 (updated)

Entry of museum building

STRASBURG, Pa. — After a year of being closed due to the Covid pandemic, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, Pa., will reopen on Friday, April 30. The new normal days and times of operation for the museum will be Fridays through Sundays, with hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, […]

Read More…

Obituaries: Marvin Cohen, Pete Reimer

Man holding books

Steam Directory editor, heritage rail pioneer Marvin Cohen Marvin Cohen, editor of the Steam Directory from 1966 to 1989, passed away at home in Middletown, N.Y. on Dec. 10, 2020, at age 93. Mark Smith, Cohen’s successor, credited Cohen with an “incalculable contribution” to the heritage rail industry by creating the “bible of the industry.” […]

Read More…

Maine’s WW&F Museum to build new roundhouse

Computer illustration of building

ALNA, Maine — The Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum’s board of directors endorsed a plan for a new roundhouse during its monthly meeting on March 13, thanks to a generous donation by a long-time member. Jason Lamontage, museum superintendent and chief mechanical officer, said, “The roundhouse will be much more than a replica of […]

Read More…

Digest: No. 1309 fully operational, Western Maryland Scenic says

Steam train

Western Maryland Scenic says No. 1309 is being prepared for FRA inspection Western Maryland Scenic Railroad officials say C&O 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 is “100% operational” and believe the locomotive will be operating this summer, although it awaits a few parts and must address “a few leaks” before receiving its Federal Railroad Administration inspection. The Cumberland […]

Read More…

Emery Rail Heritage Trust announces 2021 awards

Emery Rail Heritage Trust logo

The John Emery Rail Heritage Trust has awarded 22 grants totaling almost $325,000 for rail preservation projects in 2021, with 20 new awards joining two projects previously receiving funding. The awards come from 41 applicants seeking grants totaling more than $1 million. The trust was established by long-time Chicago resident John Emery to preserve equipment […]

Read More…

Union Pacific No. 4141 arrives in College Station for move to Bush Library and Museum

Locomotive under tarp, pulled by another locomotive

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Union Pacific No. 4141, the SD70ACe locomotive painted in an Air Force One-like scheme to honor President George H.W. Bush, has arrived in College Station and was scheduled to be trucked on Sunday afternoon from the UP tracks to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum on the campus of […]

Read More…

Martinsburg, W.Va., roundhouse receives locomotive, seeks funds for move

Brick circular roundhouse

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority has been given a former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Alco S-2 switcher for display and interpretation at the former B&O roundhouse in Martinsburg. The non-profit authority is seeking funds to transport the locomotive from West Chester, Pa., to Martinsburg. Due to several factors, the locomotive must be […]

Read More…

Study will consider conversion of Milwaukee Road 261 to burn oil

Steam locomotive pulls passenger train

MINNEAPOLIS – The Friends of the 261, the non-profit organization that owns and operates Milwaukee Road S-3 class 4-8-4 No. 261, has launched a study to consider converting the locomotive from coal to oil firing. Friends of the 261 President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Sandberg said the group is conducting a feasibility study and […]

Read More…

News Photos: East Broad Top Winter Spectacular returns

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — Responding to heavy demand, the East Broad Top added several trips during Saturday’s Winter Spectacular, a revival of the event held 1966-81. Scheduled trips with Brill gas-electric M-1 and a caboose all sold out within hours of tickets going on sale, so the EBT added trips, and sold all those out, […]

Read More…