Steam, narrow gauge worlds mourn loss of Ernie Robart NEWSWIRE

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 […]

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White Pass rebuilds equipment, plans expansion NEWSWIRE

green and yellow locomotive

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 […]

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Southern Pacific narrow gauge star steams up in Colorado NEWSWIRE

SP18Durango

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 […]

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SP No. 18 arrives in Durango NEWSWIRE

SP18atdurangoJerryDay

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. […]

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Southern Pacific No. 18’s tender arrives in Colorado NEWSWIRE

SP18tenderDurango

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 […]

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Indiana museum test fires narrow gauge Porter 2-6-0 NEWSWIRE

HesstonPorter2lowres

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 […]

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Narrow-gauge ‘Frisco’ 0-4-0 enters service in Missouri NEWSWIRE

SilverDollarCity504

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 […]

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