Soo Line legacy
Mar 1, 2019·Ask Trains

Soo Line legacy

A southbound CN freight passes the former Soo Line station in Waukesha, Wis., in 2012. Brian Schmidt Q How did…

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Low-level platforms
Feb 15, 2019·Ask Trains

Low-level platforms

A track-level platform at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport station near Baltimore enables the use of the middle track, at bottom,…

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American Orient Express
Feb 1, 2019·Ask Trains

American Orient Express

‘American Orient Express’ observation car ‘New York’ at Denver in June 1996. Ten years later, the train would be rebranded…

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Mystery gondola loads
Jan 15, 2019·Ask Trains

Mystery gondola loads

MGPX No. 201, part of the first batch of Magnetation iron ore cars built by FreightCar America, arrives in Superior,…

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Animal-feed trains
Jan 1, 2019·Ask Trains

Animal-feed trains

A Cargill unit feed train rolls through Shawnee, Kan., in June 2009. The train consists of covered bathtub gondolas pulled…

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Spacing of steam ‘chuffs’
Dec 1, 2018·Ask Trains

Spacing of steam ‘chuffs’

A conventional two-cylinder locomotive like this one exhausts four times per wheel revolution. This is thanks to the position of…

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Steam engine water treatment
Nov 15, 2018·Ask Trains

Steam engine water treatment

A water tank on the Pacific Coast Railroad in Washington displays discoloration brought by impurities in the local water. Al…

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Pennsy K4s No. 1361 status
Nov 1, 2018·Ask Trains

Pennsy K4s No. 1361 status

Pennsylvania Railroad donated K4s No. 1361 to the city of Altoona, Pa., on June 8, 1957, shortly before this photo…

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Union stations
Oct 15, 2018·Ask Trains

Union stations

A CSX Transportation freight passes Marion (Ohio) Union Station. The site is now a museum with a restored interlocking tower.…

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Tracks on the PGA Tour?
Oct 1, 2018·Ask Trains

Tracks on the PGA Tour?

The Providence & Worcester operates in four Northeastern states. Here, train NR3 passes the Thames River in Preston, Conn., on…

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Why long hood vs. short?
Sep 1, 2018·Ask Trains

Why long hood vs. short?

Although this CNJ RS3 had dual engineer controls, the “F” defines the leading end for hand or radio signals. Bert…

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