Remembering the East Broad Top Railroad in Philip R. Hasting’s photos

A train traveling by

In February 1956, the Interstate Commerce Commission approved abandoning the East Broad Top Railroad. Here are a handful of images by acclaimed steam locomotive and steam railroad photographer, Philip R. Hastings. A full timeline of East Broad Top events is available from Classic Trains online. […]

Read More…

New York Central 1938 20th Century Limited photos and drawings

NYC20thcenturyarchive

Model Railroader magazine remains the leading source of information for our great hobby. You can get access to all of the more than 1,000 issues of Model Railroader from January 1934 to the present day by signing up for the exclusive online archive. Check out this classic story from the April 1988 issue. […]

Read More…

East Broad Top Railroad memories: a railroader’s life

East Broad Top Railroad Mikado No. 15 and its short train head out of Orbisonia, Pennsylvania, June 21, 2009, the 49th year the former coal hauler has been a tourist line.

East Broad Top Railroad Mikado No. 15 and its short train head out of Orbisonia, Pennsylvania, June 21, 2009, the 49th year the former coal hauler has been a tourist line. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn EDITOR’S NOTE: A version of this article first appeared in the October 2009 issue of Trains Magazine. Stanley G. Hall has […]

Read More…

East Broad Top Railroad profile and history

East Broad Top Railroad Mikado-type 2-8-2 locomotives Nos. 12 and 15 appear at the Orbisonia, Pennsylvania, station as part of a nighttime photo shoot in October 2011.

East Broad Top Railroad Mikado-type 2-8-2 locomotives Nos. 12 and 15 appear at the Orbisonia, Pennsylvania, station as part of a nighttime photo shoot in October 2011. Alex Mayes East Broad Top Railroad map The East Broad Top was the last narrow gauge common carrier in the U.S. east of the Mississippi River. It was […]

Read More…

Top 10 Burlington Northern locomotives

On June 10, 1993, a Burlington Northern SD60M and SD40-2 take an eastbound freight along the Missouri River and into Lombard Canyon just east of Toston, Mont.

On June 10, 1993, a Burlington Northern SD60M and SD40-2 take an eastbound freight along the Missouri River and into Lombard Canyon just east of Toston, Mont. Tom Danneman Learn about Trains Art Director Tom Danneman’s favorite Burlington Northern Railroad Company diesel locomotives, presented in no particular order. The story of Burlington Northern has been […]

Read More…

33 railroad places you need to visit in the East

A Florida East Coast train.

A Florida East Coast train. TRAINS: Tom Danneman A version of this list was previously published in the November 2015 issue of Trains Magazine. 1 RAHWAY, N.J. Google Image search Six tracks abreast proclaim speed and intensity on the Northeast Corridor. 2 THURMOND, W.VA. Trip Advisor entry Classic 20th century coal and railroad town deep in the […]

Read More…

Remembering the Nickel Plate Road

As an eastbound clears in the distance, Nickel Plate 779, Lima’s last 2-8-4, and a sister placed five cars back because of bridge weight restrictions, leave NH Tower near North East, Pa., in March 1957.

As an eastbound clears in the distance, Nickel Plate 779, Lima’s last 2-8-4, and a sister placed five cars back because of bridge weight restrictions, leave NH Tower near North East, Pa., in March 1957. Jim Shaughnessy History and major events of the Nickel Plate Road The New York, Chicago & St. Louis opened between […]

Read More…

Ice harvesting at Crystal Lake Ill on the Chicago North Western

The Cold hard tracks Crystal Lake was once used for harvesting ice. Blocks of ice were cut from the lake in winter, then stored in warehouses along the shore. The ice was shipped in refrigerator cars to Chicago via the “Ice Track,” a 2-mile branch that ran from the C&NW main line through the west […]

Read More…

Research sources for prototype railroad information

CNW Crystal Lake 1960s

Not everyone has a fabulous railroad library to work from, but the library at the Model Railroader offices didn’t get me as far as you’d think. Following is a short list of places I’ve found amazing stuff when looking for research: • Most railroads have a historical society, so it’s good to have an up-to-date […]

Read More…

A young railfan’s “lucky mistake”

NYC4208

Not a Berkshire, but not bad: New York Central PA diesel No. 4208 and an unidentified PB hurry through Willoughby, Ohio, on Dec. 19, 1954. J. W. Swanberg I grew up in Connecticut, but my parents came from Minnesota, so all our relatives were there. Dad drove us to the Twin Cities at least once a […]

Read More…

Remembering Pennsylvania Railroad locomotives

A close up black and white photo of a PRR 1737

Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and lore of famed (and infamous) railroads. In January 2020, we celebrate the Pennsylvania Railroad. Please enjoy a collection of locomotive images located in the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include the Pennsy’s iconic locomotives and classic scenic photos. You might also enjoy […]

Read More…

17 railroad places you need to visit in the Central U.S. or Midwest

An unusual, short, BNSF Railway train heads south on the Joint Line between Denver and Pueblo, Colo.

An unusual, short, BNSF Railway train heads south on the Joint Line between Denver and Pueblo, Colo. Trains Staff A version of this article was originally published in the November 2015 issue of Trains. 1 NORTH PLATTE, NEB. The world’s largest yard merits a spike-shaped observation tower. It covers more than 2,800 acres of land. 2 […]

Read More…