ALBUQUERQUE — The western steam and narrow gauge preservation communities today are mourning the loss of a long and remarkable fixture in their worlds: Ernie Robart has passed away. Robart was an early advocate for saving the Colorado narrow gauge, and his work ultimately led to the creation of today’s Cumbres & Toltec Scenic. He […]
Train Topic: Narrow Gauge & Industrial
White Pass rebuilds equipment, plans expansion NEWSWIRE
Previously rebuilt GE shovelnose diesels show off their fresh paint. Nos. 90, 93, and 98 will see rebuilds in 2019. David Lustig SKAGWAY, Alaska – As part of White Pass & Yukon Route Railway’s general expansion of tourist operations for the upcoming 2019 season, the railroad dispatched 10 coaches and three locomotives from its Skagway […]
Southern Pacific narrow gauge star steams up in Colorado NEWSWIRE
Joe Dailey DURANGO, Colo. – Former Southern Pacific narrow gauge 4-6-0 No. 18 steamed up for the first time in Durango on Thursday. It is on loan to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for crew training on oil-burning locomotives. The locomotive, from the Carson & Colorado Railway in Independence, Calif., was trucked to Colorado […]
SP No. 18 arrives in Durango NEWSWIRE
SP No. 18 rides the turntable at Durango, Colo., on Nov. 3. Jerry Day DURANGO, Colo. – “Some assembly required.” That’s the thought going through the minds of shop crews at Durango & Silverton this morning as they contemplate steaming Southern Pacific 4-6-0 No. 18, which arrived by truck from California over the weekend. No. […]
Southern Pacific No. 18’s tender arrives in Colorado NEWSWIRE
No. 18’s tender rests on the turntable at Durango, Colo., on Thursday. Randy Babcock DURANGO, Colo. – Southern Pacific 4-6-0 No. 18’s whaleback tender has arrived at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s main shops this week after traveling by truck from its home in Independence, Calif. The locomotive is still en route to […]
Southern Pacific’s ‘slim princess’ to visit Colorado’s Durango & Silverton NEWSWIRE
Southern Pacific No. 18 will visit the Durango & Silverton in Colorado. David Lustig DURANGO, Colo. — A Southern Pacific narrow gauge Ten-Wheeler will be trucked from Independence, Calif. to Durango, Colo. later this month to train Durango & Silverton crews in oil-firing. Locomotive No. 18, restored over the past several years by volunteer members […]
Indiana museum test fires narrow gauge Porter 2-6-0 NEWSWIRE
Hesston Steam Museum’s Porter 2-6-0 No. 2 test fires after being out of service for decades. Hesston Steam Museum HESSTON, Ind. — A restored 3-foot gauge Porter 2-6-0 has test fired at the historic Hesston Steam Museum in northern Indiana. The 1911 locomotive was heavily damaged in the disastrous May 1985 fire that also damaged […]
New White & Pass Yukon owner looks to expand locomotive fleet NEWSWIRE
DL535E No. 104 leads a train at Skagway in June 2014. James L. Haney SKAGWAY, Alaska – The new owner of the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway says it is looking to expand its locomotive fleet to meet the railroad’s increasing ridership demands. On Aug. 1, Carnival Corp. owners of Carnival Cruise Lines and […]
Southern Pacific narrow gauge 4-6-0 No. 18 to steam in October NEWSWIRE
No. 18 at Independence, Calif., in July 2017. David Crosby INDEPENDENCE, Calif. – Southern Pacific narrow-gauge 4-6-0 No. 18 will be steamed up and operated in Independence Oct. 4-5. The locomotive was restored and is operated by the locally based all-volunteer Carson & Colorado Railway, which takes its name from the original railroad that operated […]
Durango & Silverton to buy two narrow gauge diesels from South Carolina NEWSWIRE
A Durango & Silverton locomotive pauses at Silverton, Colo. Soon 2,000-hp diesel locomotives will replace certain 2-8-2 steam locomotives on the historic narrow gauge line. TRAINS: David Lassen DURANGO, Colo. — The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is purchasing two new three-foot gauge diesel locomotives for $3.2 million from Motive Power & Equipment Solutions […]
Narrow-gauge ‘Frisco’ 0-4-0 enters service in Missouri NEWSWIRE
Silver Dollar City No. 504 Dalton Fischer, Silver Dollar City BRANSON, Mo. – After an extensive rebuilding a Czechoslovakia-built 0-4-0T has entered service at the Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson. “Frisco” 504 is a 2-foot gauge 0-4-0T built in 1941 by Czechoslovakia’s Ceskomoravska Kolben Danek. The engine was rebuilt at the shops of […]
West Virginia survivor
2-8-0 No. 4 of short line Buffalo Creek & Gauley works at Swandale, W.Va., in the early 1960s. After a spell at the North Carolina Transportation Museum, where it ran as “Southern Railway 604,” this engine is now at Cass, W.Va. Classic Trains coll. […]
