Southern Pacific 4-6-0 No. 18, which is being leased to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad from the Carson & Colorado Railway, blew its right cylinder and shattered the piston during a run from Durango, Colo., to Cascade Canyon, Colo., on April 9, 2019. The “Slim Princess,” as it’s affectionately called, is a Baldwin […]
Black Hills Central No. 108 comes together in July 2018. Trains: Jim Wrinn No. 108 in service at Weyerhaeuser in Washington state. Martin E. Hansen collection HILL CITY, S.D. — While American steam fans have focused their attention on the amazing restorations of 2-4-4-2 Skookum, 2-6-6-2 No. 1309, and Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. […]
An illustration from Brightline’s “announcement” of Convertible Class. Brightline/Virgin Trains USA April Fools Day did not pass unnoticed in the railroading world, as some organizations reported “news” in the spirit of the day. Among the highlights: — The San Antonio Zoo announced that its narrow gauge zoo train, the Eagle Train in Brackenridge Park, would […]
STEARNS, Ky., — The record rains that have impacted much of the country this winter have caused flooding and landslide issues in many areas, and now a Kentucky tourist line is dealing with issues from it as well. A routine track inspection late last week discovered a landslide on the Big South Fork Scenic Railway’s […]
Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611, shown at Jamestown, N.C., in September 2018, will star in more public appearances at the Strasburg Rail Road in September 2019. Trains: Jim Wrinn STRASBURG, Pa. — After record-breaking ticket sales, the Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc., of Roanoke, Va., and the Strasburg Rail Road Co., announce more […]
Potomac Eagle F7 No. 722 in B&O colors leads a photo special. Chase Gunnoe ROMNEY, W.Va. — One of the East’s best-known tourist railroads has been sold to one of the nation’s top freelance steam locomotive rebuilders. But does that mean there will be steam for the first time at West Virginia’s diesel-powered Potomac Eagle? […]
Could narrow gauge freight in the U.S. make a return? Durango & Silverton’s parent is seeking freight business for its three tourist-based railroads. Brian Schmidt DURANGO, Colo. – American Heritage Railways has hired a longtime rail industry veteran to head up efforts to develop freight business on its three scenic railroads: The Mount Rainier Railroad […]
Climax No. 9 will star in a Trains magazine photo charter in November. John Krause photo, Tim Martin collection CASS, W.Va. — Trains Magazine, in conjunction with Sigma Corp. of America, will sponsor a special Climax steam locomotive Centennial Homecoming photo charter at West Virginia’s famous Cass Scenic Railroad Nov. 2-3, 2019. Moore-Keppel 70-ton, three-truck […]
Steam locomotive Tjepper works the plantation line on March 2, 2019. The name refers to a district in central Java where the loco worked 1914-1990s. Glen Beadon BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — The island nation of Barbados in the Caribbean has a brand new steam railway which was opened officially March 11 by the country’s prime minister, […]
No. 486 rolls through the Animas Canyon near Rockwood in May 2008. Riders will soon be able to experience the canyon without taking an all-day trip. Adam Paul DURANGO, Colo. – In an effort to attract passengers who don’t have time for a day-long excursion, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad plans to offer […]
‘Old Peppersass’ Mount Washington Cog Railway BRETTON WOODS, N.H. – One of the most unique steam locomotives ever built is hitting the road next month to mark the 150th anniversary of the world’s first cog railroad. A cosmetic restoration of the Mount Washington Cog Railway’s first mountain-climbing steam locomotive – dubbed Old Peppersass because of […]
Clinchfield No. 800 pulls a Royal Palm Railway Experience train to Mount Dora in January 2018. Trains: Jim Wrinn MOUNT DORA, Fla. — What’s good for one railroad may not necessarily be good for another, and a tourist railroad in Florida will have to cope with that reality this spring. The Royal Palm Railway Experience, […]
