Flood duty

20190709

On a 1979 fantrip, Beech Mountain Railroad Alco S2 No. 9452 wades through high water at a unique culvert designed for just such a situation. At the time, the railroad operated from a connection with the Baltimore & Ohio at Alexander, W.Va. Donald McFall photo […]

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General reborn

20190726

Western & Atlantic General of Great Locomotive Chase fame departs Detroit’s Michigan Central Station in August 1964 on a promotional tour for Louisville & Nashville. After restoration in the railroad’s Louisville, Ky., shops, the locomotive was something of a celebrity during the 1962 centennial celebration. Lowell Bush photo […]

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Meadville moment

20190719

The Erie’s Pacific Express calls at Meadville, Pa., in 1951 with new E8s in charge. Lead unit No. 833 survives on the New York & Greenwood Lake south of Buffalo after spending time in Conrail’s executive locomotive fleet. J. William Vigrass photo […]

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Narrow gauge classic

20190731

Denver & Rio Grande Western K-28 class narrow gauge 2-8-2 No. 474 steams at Gunnison, Colo., in 1940. The railroad had 10 such locomotives, Nos. 470-479, built by Alco in 1923. They were retired in 1946. R.H. Kindig photo […]

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Necessary travel

20190724

Travelers during World War II swarm the New York Central ticket windows in Grand Central Terminal. Signs above the windows caution against “unnecessary travel” during wartime. New York Central photo […]

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“Like hell they will”

SOUdieselsPegram

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, […]

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Steam at Harlem

20190617

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 […]

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Ten-wheeling

20190607

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 […]

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Railroads at war

20190624

Stuart tanks and crated loads on flatcars tell of the herculean effort of American industries, including railroads, to bring victory in World War II. Classic Trains collection […]

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Royalty in the making

20190611

On May 29, 1950, workers put the finishing touches on brand-new Norfolk & Western J Class 4-8-4 No. 611 at Roanoke, Va. It was one of four such engines outshopped in 1950 and would come to be the face of successor Norfolk Southern’s steam program in the 1980s and 1990s. Norfolk & Western photo […]

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