Steam locomotive restoration specialist Gary Bensman cuts out staybolts for replacement on Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 in 2017. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Q: Can anyone provide a definitive status on whether Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 will be running in 2019? — Richard Eaton, Chevy Chase, Md. A: Railfans and railroad preservationists […]
Section: Railroads
ASK TRAINS: Why Big Boy’s bell is painted red on the inside
Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 pauses overnight at Rawlins, Wyo., in May 2019. Big Boy’s bell is painted red to keep it looking clean and well-kept. 19143-50 Ryan Nicolay Q: Why are the insides of the bells on Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 and 4-8-4 No. 844 painted red? — Scott Zygutis, Antioch, […]
Burlington Route – Image Gallery
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Big Boy’s Great Midwest Tour: Omaha
Follow along with Trains Editor Jim Wrinn in this first compilation video from Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014’s Great Midwest Tour. This video focuses on Big Boy’s trek through Nebraska with a stop in Omaha, Neb. […]
Trains Presents: Stevenson, Ala., train watching
Trains Magazine takes you to Stevenson, Ala., for CSX and Norfolk Southern mainline action with videographer and author Chris Wehman. Learn more about Stevenson in the September 2018 issue! […]
Ask Trains: How can you ride behind the Big Boy?
Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 leads an excursion consist passed Granger, Wyo., in May 2019. Though limited, Union Pacific is allowing limited excursions behind the giant steam locomotive. Justin Franz Q: After 150th Golden Spike excursion, will there be other chances to ride the Big Boy 4014? — Daniel Miltenberger, Jacksonville, Fla. A: Union […]
Ask Trains: How does the Big Boy distribute weight to its front drivers?
A side view of Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 on a test run in May 2019. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Q: With interest in the completion Union Pacific’s Big Boy’s restoration, how does the weight of the boiler get down to the front drivers? — Carl Amerlan, Downers Grove, Ill. A: Great question! As an […]
Ask Trains: Why was Big Boy No. 4014 picked to be restored?
Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 arrives in downtown Cheyenne, Wyo., on May 4, 2019. The locomotive was chosen for restoration for a variety of reasons. TRAINS Staff Q: I may have missed it, but why was UP 4014 picked over all other displayed Big Boys? — Tom Otoski, Dayton, Ohio A: A combination […]
“Like hell they will”
During a 1967 financial analysts’ shop tour of the Southern’s Pegram Shop in Atlanta, an SD35 and GP30 have their high noses out in the Georgia sun. Walter A. Appel Early in 1967, the management of the Southern Railway invited members of the investment and financial communities to ride an inspection train from Cincinnati, Ohio, […]
Trains Presents: Iowa Interstate QJ May 2019 trips
Iowa Interstate’s Chinese-built 2-10-2 No. 6988 is back in service again in 2019. After a lull that ended in 2018, the QJ-type is seeing service on the former Rock Island main line in Illinois and Iowa. Watch it pull excursions with a train of P70 coaches, and freight, too! […]
Steam at Harlem
Great Northern O-8-class 2-8-2 No. 3396 leads the first section of train No. 402 at Harlem, Mont., in August 1948. The O-8s, rebuilt from older engines, were the heaviest Mikado types ever. Frank McKinlay, N.F. Priebe collection […]
Ten-wheeling
New York Central 4-6-0 No. 1290, a July 1900 product of the Michigan Central’s St. Thomas, Ontario, shops, works west on Ontario’s St. Clair Subdivision. Philip R. Hastings photo […]