Baltimore & Ohio F7s tackle the twisting approach to the Sand Patch summit in southern Pennsylvania with an eastbound coal train in February 1953. The B&O had almost 300 F7 A and B units, in addition to FT, F3, and FP7 models. S.K. Bolton Jr. photo […]
Fairbanks-Morse H12-44 No. 100 replaced a former Central of Georgia 2-8-0 to dieselize Georgia short line Sandersville Railroad in 1953. The unit was the only FM on the railroad, which later switched to EMD. Little Studio photo […]
A row of Sycamore trees marks the passage of the California Zephyr behind Western Pacific F units at Union Park in Stockton, Calif., on Feb. 13, 1967. That day, regulators in Washington, D.C., voted to keep the train running, which WP continued to do until 1970. Tom Taylor photo […]
On a 1979 fantrip, Beech Mountain Railroad Alco S2 No. 9452 wades through high water at a unique culvert designed for just such a situation. At the time, the railroad operated from a connection with the Baltimore & Ohio at Alexander, W.Va. Donald McFall photo […]
Western & Atlantic General of Great Locomotive Chase fame departs Detroit’s Michigan Central Station in August 1964 on a promotional tour for Louisville & Nashville. After restoration in the railroad’s Louisville, Ky., shops, the locomotive was something of a celebrity during the 1962 centennial celebration. Lowell Bush photo […]
The Erie’s Pacific Express calls at Meadville, Pa., in 1951 with new E8s in charge. Lead unit No. 833 survives on the New York & Greenwood Lake south of Buffalo after spending time in Conrail’s executive locomotive fleet. J. William Vigrass photo […]
Denver & Rio Grande Western K-28 class narrow gauge 2-8-2 No. 474 steams at Gunnison, Colo., in 1940. The railroad had 10 such locomotives, Nos. 470-479, built by Alco in 1923. They were retired in 1946. R.H. Kindig photo […]
Travelers during World War II swarm the New York Central ticket windows in Grand Central Terminal. Signs above the windows caution against “unnecessary travel” during wartime. New York Central photo […]
On West Virginia’s Cass Scenic Railroad, engine crews with three Shay locomotives signal each other with whistles for moves and stops. TRAINS: Steve Sweeney Q: When you have two steam engines together, how does the second engineer know how much throttle to give? — Dennis E. Schardt, Sr., Summerdale, Pa. A: We get asked this […]
Q: Do you know if any publications, or any web pages, blogs, or any Internet resource that maintains a U.S. map that shows frequency of train service? — Frank Norris, Santa Fe, N.M. A: Simply put, no such resource exists as railroads hold traffic data as proprietary. The best way to learn about railroad operations, […]
Steam locomotive restoration specialist Gary Bensman cuts out staybolts for replacement on Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 in 2017. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Q: Can anyone provide a definitive status on whether Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 will be running in 2019? — Richard Eaton, Chevy Chase, Md. A: Railfans and railroad preservationists […]
Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 pauses overnight at Rawlins, Wyo., in May 2019. Big Boy’s bell is painted red to keep it looking clean and well-kept. 19143-50 Ryan Nicolay Q: Why are the insides of the bells on Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 and 4-8-4 No. 844 painted red? — Scott Zygutis, Antioch, […]
