No summertime blues for host Drew Halverson this year! That’s because he managed to begin his summer of trackside treks with a day trip to the Windy City. Upon arrival in West Chicago, Ill., Drew, Kent, Ben, and special guest Kevin P. Keefe, chased Union Pacific freight and a parade of Metra commuter trains along […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Clean cut
Clean BNSF Railway locomotives, clean ballast, and clean freight cars, match a clean, crystalline blue sky at the lower portion of “Sullivan’s Curve” in this October 2013 shot in California’s famed Cajon Pass. Photo by Steve Sweeney […]
Steam whistles
From the beginning of U.S. railroading, each railroad chose its own whistles that varied from high to low in pitch. Alex Mayes Q Have American steam engines always used a low-pitched or bass whistle, instead of a high-pitched whistle? – James Kelty, San Anselmo, Calif. A Steam whistles chosen by American railroads were almost always […]
Trains Presents: Southern Appalachia Railway Museum
Take one last look at the Southern Appalachia Railway Museum’s Secret City Excursion Train, which closed earlier in 2016 after more than 20 years in operation. You’ll see a finely restored Seaboard Coast Line EMD SD45 and a classic Alco C420 in operation in the hills of northern Tennessee. The museum plans to continue its […]
Trains Presents: Southern Appalachia Railway Museum
Take one last look at the Southern Appalachia Railway Museum’s Secret City Excursion Train, which closed earlier in 2016 after more than 20 years in operation. You’ll see a finely restored Seaboard Coast Line EMD SD45 and a classic Alco C420 in operation in the hills of northern Tennessee. The museum plans to continue its […]
New Southern 4501 documentary highlights locomotive’s history, caretakers NEWSWIRE
No. 4501 leads a 14 car train through Orange, Va., on the former Southern Railway main line, in May 1985. Alex Mayes CHATANOOGA, Tenn. – Inspired by an affirmation for steam and the startup of Norfolk Southern’s 21st Century Steam program, a documentary discussing the history of Southern Railway 2-8-2 No. 4501 is now available. […]
2017 Trains Photo Contest
Grand Prize winner: A reflection of a BNSF Railway engine in water droplets near Old Monroe, Mo., on the BNSF K-Line. Barry Gaston This year we are publishing our 77th volume, so it seemed fitting to call the 2017 Trains Photo Contest “Lucky 7.” As always, you can interpret our theme in any way you […]
Locomotive 2016: Ontario Southland F unit action
Join Locomotive 2016 Editor Greg McDonnell as he visits this now-famous Canadian short line and its fleet of FP9s! You’ll see the locomotives on freight trains and snow plow duty, and check out the engine room while they speed down the track! Only from Locomotive 2016 and Trains Magazine! […]
Locomotive 2016: Issue Preview Video
Locomotive 2016 is back with more stories on North America’s newest and most powerful locomotives. Our annual Motive Power Review gives you information you can’t find anywhere else: an exclusive listing of every new locomotive built in North America. In addition to the Motive Power Review, you’ll find feature stories including: Metra Muscle: see the […]
Trains Presents: CNJ 0-6-0 No. 113 in operation
Visit the only operating former Central Railroad of New Jersey steam locomotive, 0-6-0 No. 113, with Trains Magazine! See the locomotive pull excursions in Minersville, Pa., in December 2015 following its estimated $600,000 restoration. Only from Trains! To learn more about the locomotive and its restoration, go to www.rrproject113.org. […]
Meet Metra’s newest locomotive NEWSWIRE
Metra’s newly re-built F40PH no. 175 arrived in early September from Progress Rail Services Metra Engineer Kyle Nanfeldt stands in front of the locomotive, which wears a paint scheme he designed. Mark Llanuza The cover of Locomotive 2016, on-sale in late September. CHICAGO — Metra, Chicago’s commuter operator, received its first rebuilt F40PH No. 175 […]
Sunshine no more
Even the Sunshine State sees the occasional rainstorm, which has caught southbound Florida East Coast train No. 101 on Jan. 12, 2015, just north of St. Augustine. Photo by Brian Schmidt […]