Grand Canyon Railway No. 29 may get extra time in 2019 NEWSWIRE

WILLIAMS, Ariz. – The Grand Canyon Railway is asking the Federal Railroad Administration to allow 2-8-0 No. 29 to operate through the 2019 season before being taken out of service for its mandatory 1,472-day boiler inspection. According to the railroad’s petition, No. 29 would reach the 15-year mark on May 2, 2019. The petition would […]

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Athearn HO scale ‘early’ Challengers

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For the first time in plastic, ready-to- run models representing Union Pacific’s first two classes of 4-6-6-4 Challenger locomotives are available in HO scale from Athearn Trains. Part of the firm’s Genesis series, these steam locomotives feature prototype-specific detail that rivals brass models. No shelf queens, these locomotives are also available with an ESU LokSound […]

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When will Big Boy No. 4014 steam to Ogden? NEWSWIRE

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Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 under restoration in Cheyenne, Wyo., in June 2018. Trains: Jim Wrinn OGDEN, Utah — When will Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 travel to Ogden in May 2019? That’s the question that’s on every big steam locomotive fan’s mind. In May 2018, UP announced that both No. 4014, currently […]

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Steam locomotive smokeboxes

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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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Maine two-foot locomotive steams again NEWSWIRE

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Boothbay Railway Village S.D. Warren 0-4-0T No. 2 as it was test-fired on July 30. Submitted photo A view of the firebox of Boothbay Railway Village 0-4-0T No. 2. Submitted photo BOOTHBAY, Maine — A steam locomotive from one of Maine’s most obscure two-foot gauge railroads will return to the rails under its own power […]

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N&W No. 611 to steam for the public in September NEWSWIRE

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N&W No. 611 will run at Spencer, N.C., in September before returning to Roanoke, Va. Trains: Jim Wrinn SPENCER, N.C. — Norfolk & Western Class J 4-8-4 No. 611 isn’t pulling mainline steam trips this year, but it’s got a busy late summer lined up. The streamlined 1950 passenger engine will operate on site at […]

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Bachmann HO Sound Value Baldwin 2-8-0

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Bachmann HO Sound Value Baldwin 2-8-0 Removing the plastic tender shell reveals the Sound Value decoder and speaker. A wiring harness connects the decoder to the locomotive’s electronics. The Bachmann locomotive includes working front and rear knuckle couplers. Details include well-defined rivet seams, a coal load, and a separately applied tender ladder. A steam-era freight […]

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