Montana’s Butte, Anaconda & Pacific relied on a fleet of 28 General Electric box-cabs after it electrified its line in 1913. The road received these two road-switcher-style motors from GE in 1957, then went to diesels in 1967. General Electric photo […]
Zone & Region: Mountain West
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Bridge Out!
Embark on a captivating journey through the picturesque landscapes of Big Sky country during Summer 2023. Join railfan/videographer Tom Danneman on a railfanning adventure along Montana Rail Link (MRL), capturing the essence of the railroad “Blues” before its imminent takeover by BNSF. Witness unexpected turns, like a bridge collapse in Reed Point and rare train […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Bridge Out!
Embark on a captivating journey through the picturesque landscapes of Big Sky country during Summer 2023. Join railfan/videographer Tom Danneman on a railfanning adventure along Montana Rail Link (MRL), capturing the essence of the railroad “Blues” before its imminent takeover by BNSF. Witness unexpected turns, like a bridge collapse in Reed Point and rare train […]
Extension of parts swap helps land water pump for restoration of SP&S No. 700
PORTLAND, Ore. — The group restoring Spokane, Portland & Seattle 4-8-4 No. 700 has secured a hot water pump for the locomotive through a three-way swap involving two other preservation groups that had previously arranged an exchange of parts. Consultant and contractor FMW Solutions discovered the water pump on No. 700, being restored by the […]
Fall journey along the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad
Experience the breathtaking beauty of fall in Chama, New Mexico, as you embark on a train journey through stunning mountain peaks of the Western U.S. Ride aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, covering 14 miles from Chama to the summit at Cumbres Pass. Ascend over 2000 feet on a 4% grade, accompanied by a captivating […]
Cumbres & Toltec buys White Pass & Yukon diesel
CHAMA, N.M. — The bi-state agency overseeing the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has agreed to purchase a diesel locomotive from the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, a first for the classic line preserving the former Denver & Rio Grande Western line between Chama and Antonito, Colo. The commission agreed to the purchase of […]
Big Sky passenger organization receives $150,000 grant
BILLINGS, Mont. — The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority has received a $150,000 grant to support its efforts to revive Amtrak service on Montana’s “southern tier” route, as well as other rail projects in a five-state region in the Pacific Northwest. The Missoula Current news site reports the grant was awarded by the Pacific Northwest […]
BNSF train derails west of Denver, blocking Zephyr route (corrected)
PINECLIFFE, Colo. — Fifteen cars of a BNSF freight train derailed early today (Sunday, Nov. 12) in the Rocky Mountain foothills west of Denver, leading to a closure expected to block Union Pacific’s main line for 36 hours, according to preliminary estimates. KCNC-TV reports the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office was informed of the derailment at […]
Rio Grande’s 2-8-2 Mikado “Sport Model” K-28 locomotives turn 100 years old
As classic as a ’67 Chevrolet Chevelle SS and as smooth as a Rolls Royce, the Rio Grande’s 2-8-2 Mikado “Sport Model” K-28 locomotives turn 100 years old in 2023. Those 100 years have been spent hauling tonnage across some of the most difficult narrow-gauge right of way in the country and perhaps the world. […]
Denver RTD to install Automatic Train Stop system at site of light rail accidents
AURORA, Colo. — The Denver-area Regional Transportation District will install an Automatic Train Stop safety system at a sharp 90-degree curve that has been the site of two light rail derailments, one of which shut down the RTD’s R Line through Aurora for more than two months, Colorado Public Radio reports. As described in a […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Grain Trains
When the bounty of Heartland crops are harvested, much of the grain goes west. Destined for North American ports and then foreign shores, the first leg of that western trek is often aboard commodity cruisers, otherwise known as grain trains. Naturally, railfan/videographer Tom Danneman is poised to capture these heavy haulers in season, and as […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Grain Trains
When the bounty of Heartland crops are harvested, much of the grain goes west. Destined for North American ports and then foreign shores, the first leg of that western trek is often aboard commodity cruisers, otherwise known as grain trains. Naturally, railfan/videographer Tom Danneman is poised to capture these heavy haulers in season, and as […]