Bachmann HO scale Russian Decapod 2-10-0

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With its small drivers, open space under the boiler, and European look, a “Russian” Decapod 2-10-0 is very recognizable to most steam aficionados. We first reviewed Bachmann’s Spectrum series model of this distinctive prototype back in the April 2002 issue. Featuring the same high level of detail, this latest release of the Russian Decapod features […]

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Work resumes on Western Maryland Scenic No. 1309 NEWSWIRE

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Work has resumed on Western Maryland Scenic No. 1309. Tishia Boggs CUMBERLAND, Md. – Restoration work has resumed on Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 after Trains magazine readers donated more than $100,000 to the effort to restore the last steam locomotive that Baldwin built for domestic service. Diversified Rail Services crews began work […]

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Last load of logs for the day on the Birdhaven & Hemlock

Birdhaven & Hemlock garden railroad

Name: Bob Moffett Railroad Name: Birdhaven & Hemlock Location: West Virginia Scale: Mixed Theme: Late 1950s- early 1960s Description: This is the last load of logs being brought in at the end of the day, pulled by the railroad’s newly acquired Climax locomotive. As the sun goes down, the lights come on for a different […]

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Last load of logs for the day on the Birdhaven & Hemlock

Birdhaven & Hemlock garden railroad

Name: Bob Moffett Railroad Name: Birdhaven & Hemlock Location: West Virginia Scale: Mixed Theme: Late 1950s- early 1960s Description: This is the last load of logs being brought in at the end of the day, pulled by the railroad’s newly acquired Climax locomotive. As the sun goes down, the lights come on for a different […]

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Final days of steam in western China

A steam locomotive billows smoke and steam under a twilight sky in an industrial rail yard.

Editors’ note: The author and photographers are graduates of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s rail engineering program. This is their first Trains byline. In North America, the days of steam railroading are a distant memory, and coal traffic is slowly headed the way of steam. In Europe and Japan, steam enthusiasts eagerly attend steam […]

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Work to restore Reading 2100 receives donation for new staybolts

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CLEVELAND — The American Steam Railroad Preservation Association has received a $1,000 donation from a longtime supporter for the restoration of Reading T-1 4-8-4 No. 2100. Louis Schillinger, president and CEO of United Shortline Insurance Services, has donated the funds to help complete the forging and machining of 560 new staybolts needed for the firebox. […]

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State to offer virus testing for NJ Transit employees NEWSWIRE

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Friday morning coronavirus-related rail news: — NJ Transit employees will have the opportunity to be tested for COVID-19 beginning next week, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has announced. NJ.com reports that unions and a transit advocacy group had asked for testing for front-line transit workers who have the highest risk of exposure to the virus. […]

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Union Pacific cancels all steam activities for 2020 NEWSWIRE

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Big Boy No. 4014 takes Track 3 across Sherman Hill at Speer, Wyo., on Sept. 27, 2019. The locomotive will not run in 2020, Union Pacific has announced. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Union Pacific has cancelled all planned steam activities in 2020, citing the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 virus and social distancing measures. Senior Vice President […]

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NYC L Train tunnel work completed NEWSWIRE

MTA

Monday morning rail news: — Reconstruction work on the New York subway L Train tunnel between Manhattan and Brooklyn is complete, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday, and regular service will resume today — within the constraints of the current Essential Service Plan limiting Metropolitan Transportation Authority operations because of the COVID-19 virus. Work […]

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