Charlie Conway finds his way back to the UK. This time The Caledonian Sleeper granted unprecedented access to this legendary overnight rail service connecting London with cities in the Scottish Highlands. Follow Chas as he goes behind the scenes to see what transpires to keep passengers safe and comfortable throughout the journey. […]
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As Southern Pacific Alco PA diesels move toward New Orleans Union Station in the background, an Illinois Central E7 rides the turntable at the IC roundhouse. It’s 1954, 2 years before New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal opened. James G. La Vake photo […]
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Hammond Lumber Co. 2-8-2T No. 16 displays an extended smokebox in this undated photo. The seam is just ahead of the smokestack. Martin E. Hansen collection Q I am unable to identify any particular pattern for when a smokebox is short or when it is long. I do note, in most cases, that when the […]
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Wheel and boiler work mark the next chapter in No. 4014’s restoration […]
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This bright red caboose and its sister, No. 101, escort special rail loads and are owned by PHN LLC. Timothy J. O’Malley Q Last year I saw a caboose on the tail end of a BNSF Railway train with PHNX reporting marks. Is it escorting the three hopper cars in front of it? Who owns […]
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Frisco 4-8-2s 4300–4310 were intended for freight service, but could turn a fast wheel on varnish when necessary. Here No. 4304 departs St. Louis in March 1943 with a 23-car passenger train. George W. Person Jr. During the mid-1930s, the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad started rebuilding low-drivered 2-10-2 freight locomotives into modern, high-horsepower, coal-burning 4-8-2s, […]
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Trains Presents brings you modern passenger action from the updated Raleigh, N.C., station. You’ll also see historic file footage featuring Amtrak’s Heritage Fleet as well. You can also tour the soon-to-be completed station with Trains Presents! […]
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A former London & North Eastern Class D49 4-4-0 displays the British-style method of securing the smokebox door and using buffers with couplers. Kenneth G. Williamson Q Why did British steam locomotives use a center-locking device on the smokebox and buffers with link and chain for car coupling? How did U.S. railroads do it differently? […]
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Here’s a rare chance to look at a Trains map before it appears in the magazine. This foldout map was originally scheduled to appear in the July issue, in time for the Baltimore & Ohio’s 190th anniversary, but as occasionally happens, outside forces intervened (in this case, short hospital stays for both the mapmaker and […]
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Amtrak P40s that didn’t make the first cut for rebuilding wait their turn in Bear, Del., on June 7, 2010. Bob Johnston Q Whatever became of Amtrak’s P40s? They were numbered in the 800 series and looked very similar to the P42s in service today. What’s the difference between them? Does Amtrak still have any […]
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Join us for a brief look at some of the rolling stock at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, N.C. You’ll see part of the steam collection, restoration work underway, and a guest appearance by a mighty 4-8-4, Norfolk & Western No. 611. The museum is located at Southern Railway’s largest steam repair shop. […]
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