Colorado’s magnificent Georgetown Loop Railroad rebuilt a unique caboose in 2020. One of a small number of surviving Rio Grande cabooses with eight wheels, the Loop’s caboose adds a new element to this spectacular railroad. Join us for a ride with the man who headed up the restoration. […]
Train Topic: Narrow Gauge & Industrial
Narrow gauge Denver & Rio Grande Western caboose restored to operation
Colorado’s magnificent Georgetown Loop Railroad rebuilt a unique caboose in 2020. One of a small number of surviving Rio Grande cabooses with eight wheels, the Loop’s caboose adds a new element to this spectacular railroad. Join us for a ride with the man who headed up the restoration. […]
Minnesota Commercial Railway owner John Gohmann dies
John Gohmann, owner of the Minnesota Commercial Railroad — a notable early success story in the shortline industry that developed in the wake of Staggers Act deregulation — has died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Libertyville, Ill. He was 73. Gohmann began his railroad career as a yard clerk for the Chicago & […]
Historical society, Cumbres & Toltec reach agreement on 15-year inspection for D&RGW No. 315
ANTONITO, Colo. — The Durango Railroad Historical Society and Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will perform the Federal Railroad Administration-required 15-year inspection on D&RGW C-18 locomotive No. 18, the 2-8-0 built by Baldwin for the Florence & Cripple Creek. The work will be performed in the Cumbres & Toltec’s Antonito shops, with historical society volunteers […]
Maine museum to get 2-foot gauge tamper donated by Australian sugar firm
ALNA, Maine — A 2-foot gauge tamper is on its way from Australia to the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum, culminating an 18-month effort by the museum to secure an operational narrow gauge tamper. In a moment of serendipity, the WW&F approached the Wilmar organization just a few days after it decided to retire […]
East Broad Top schedules September, October events
ORBISONIA, Pa. — The revitalized East Broad Top Railroad has announced several fall events, offering visitors several opportunities to visit the railroad, ride trains and enjoy a barbecue dinner. On Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19, 90-minute guided tours of the East Broad Top shops complex will be offered at 11 a.m. and 2 […]
Prairie tanks for the Doughboys
At least eight 60-centimeter-guage 2-6-2Ts of the type used by the U.S. Army on temporary railways in France during World War I are visible in this scene at Fort Benning, Georgia, after the war. Baldwin, Davenport, and Vulcan built some 296 of the diminutive engines. Fort Benning’s 27-mile line moved men and material around the […]
Backdating the East Broad Top: how much is too much?
ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — With rehabilitation and restoration of the East Broad Top Railroad under way, the EBT Foundation staff is beginning to deal with the issue of backdating. How far and how much should it change in order to give the property the appearance of its common-carrier days (1870s-1956)? A recent trip through Rockhill […]
U.S. Steel looks to sell remaining rail operations
United States Steel Corp., which is struggling amid the steep downturn in demand, is poised to sell the remaining railroads held by its Transtar subsidiary, Trains News Wire has learned. Multiple rail industry sources say the steelmaker plans to put the Transtar lines up for sale soon. A U.S. Steel spokeswoman said the company does […]
Durango & Silverton to reopen with shorter trips, steam-diesel combinations
Wednesday morning tourist rail and excursion news: Durango & Silverton to reopen with shorter trips, steam-diesel combinations The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has received the OK to begin operations June 23, although those operations are significantly altered from normal practices. The Durango Herald reports that two trains will operate daily, making a two-hour […]
Georgetown Loop
A Colorado & Southern train climbs toward Silver Plume, Colo., ducking under Devil’s Gate bridge on the Georgetown Loop shortly before the end of service in 1938. The bridge was restored for tourist trains in 1984. R. H. Kindig photo […]
Narrow gauge freight
A 70-car Rio Grande narrow gauge freight drops down Tanglefoot Curve east of Cumbres, Colo., on June 11, 1960. Power is K-36 2-8-2 No. 486. Robert F. Collins photo […]