Milwaukee Road 261 returns to action (with video)

People gather around steam locomotive and train

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Milwaukee Road locomotive No. 261 is back on the road after a two-year absence from mainline operation. The S-3 Class Northern 4-8-4, built in 1944 by the American Locomotive Co. at Schenectady, N.Y., was in action Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2-3, on the Twin Cities & Western Railroad between Chanhassen and Bongards, […]

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Cincinnati anachronism

Octagonal watchman shanty and wooden crossing gates in front of wooden station

Cincinnati anachronism The manually controlled crossing-gate arms at Winton Place stand watch at Clifton Avenue in Cincinnati. The suburban station was a favorite hangout for area railfans. W. Mike Weber, Denny Hamilton collection […]

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Mark Twain Zephyr work continues with dining-car project (with video)

Kitchen in railroad car, with new equipment on one side and original equipment on the other

TREGO, Wis. — The interior of another car has been completed as the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad continues its work to return one of the first diesel-powered streamlined passenger trains to operation. Trains News Wire’s latest visit to northwest Wisconsin to check on restoration of the Mark Twain Zephyr, the articulated trainset built by Philadelphia’s […]

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Indiana Rail Road Santa Train to return

Indiana Rail Road Santa Train logo

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Rail Road’s Santa Train will return after a pandemic-related hiatus, operating Dec. 3-5 under a modified schedule and format because of ongoing COVID-19 safety precautions. The 2021 operation of the specially decorated train will see Santa’s elves arrive ahead of the train to prepare for Santa’s arrival, with families invited to watch […]

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‘Broadway’ streamlined

Streamlined steam locomotive on multiple-track main line

‘Broadway’ streamlined On June 15, 1938 — the 36th anniversary of its launch — the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Broadway Limited was upgraded to a streamlined train, albeit with a rebuilt heavyweight RPO and diner. Given a shroud in 1936, K4s 3468 heads the new equipment’s inaugural eastbound run at Englewood. Rival New York Central completely streamlined […]

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Steam in snow

Steam locomotive moves freight train along snow-lined tracks

Steam in snow Milwaukee Road 2-8-2 No. 327 rolls south on the Indiana Harbor Belt at La Grange, Ill., in December 1950, bound for Terre Haute, Ind. Robert Milner photo […]

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