Online Subscriber Benefits

Classic Trains Logo

Classic Trains subscribers get more at Trains.com! Classic Trains subscribers get more at Trains.com! Flip through hundreds of historical images on Photo of the Day. Watch live railroad action as the BNSF and Union Pacific mainlines cross on the Rochelle, IL Webcam. Read Q&A with the Editor for answers to your biggest railroading history questions. […]

Read More…

Journeys on World War II troop trains

WWIItroop

A Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 leads a troop train east through California in 1946. George M. Speir In early May 1945, I boarded a troop train at Fort Knox, Ky., and headed west on the Louisville & Nashville, destination unknown. The war in Europe had just ended and my fellow 18-year-old replacement tank crewmen had been […]

Read More…

Water standpipe

20151019

This is a typical standpipe (also called water crane, water column, or water plug) used to fill steam locomotive tenders with water, which is supplied by pipe from a tank. A single tank might supply several standpipes. When not in use, they were swung away from the track. The bucket-like object between the end of […]

Read More…