Steam at Harlem

20190617

Great Northern O-8-class 2-8-2 No. 3396 leads the first section of train No. 402 at Harlem, Mont., in August 1948. The O-8s, rebuilt from older engines, were the heaviest Mikado types ever. Frank McKinlay, N.F. Priebe collection […]

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Ten-wheeling

20190607

New York Central 4-6-0 No. 1290, a July 1900 product of the Michigan Central’s St. Thomas, Ontario, shops, works west on Ontario’s St. Clair Subdivision. Philip R. Hastings photo […]

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Railroads at war

20190624

Stuart tanks and crated loads on flatcars tell of the herculean effort of American industries, including railroads, to bring victory in World War II. Classic Trains collection […]

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Royalty in the making

20190611

On May 29, 1950, workers put the finishing touches on brand-new Norfolk & Western J Class 4-8-4 No. 611 at Roanoke, Va. It was one of four such engines outshopped in 1950 and would come to be the face of successor Norfolk Southern’s steam program in the 1980s and 1990s. Norfolk & Western photo […]

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Semi-streamlined

20190621

With white extra flags flying, Minneapolis & St. Louis 2-8-2 No. 611 leads a sugar beet extra out of Hopkins, Minn., in 1946. The Mikado was built by Schenectady in 1918. Classic Trains collection […]

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Station scene

20190614

Rock Island FTs lead a train past the South Washington, Iowa, station in 1948. The railroad had 30 FT A units, Nos. 70-99, and 16 FT B units, Nos. 70B-73B and 88B-99B. Classic Trains collection […]

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Official inspection

20190612

Southern Pacific General Manager W.D. Lamprecht’s business car rides the rear of train No. 28 as it passes the helpers on Extra 6311 West at Midas, Calif., on Donner Pass in October 1957. In the foreground, the conductor of the freight walks forward to inspect his train. Philip R. Hastings photo […]

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Ohio Mountains

20190604

Homemade T-3 4-8-2 Mountains Nos. 5592 and 5558 lead a westbound Baltimore & Ohio freight past J Tower at the west end of the Willard, Ohio, yard. Forty such locomotives were rebuilt in 1942-1948 at the road’s Mount Clare Shops in Baltimore from older 4-6-2s and 2-8-2s. Philip R. Hastings photo […]

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