CUMBERLAND, Md. – On Friday, May 6, before the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s first 2022 public excursion behind Baldwin 2-6-6-2 No. 1309, the railroad celebrated the life of steam railroading luminary, Jack Showalter. Inside the former Western Maryland Railway’s Cumberland station, officials and guests saluted the people behind No. 1309’s recent restoration, and shared memories […]
Railroad: Tourist Railroad
Fall for 1309 event sold out, more photo events available
Trains Magazine and Western Maryland Scenic will be hosting 60 guests at its sold-out event Nov. 4-6, 2022, to welcome back the last Baldwin-built steam locomotive made for the USA. The world’s largest operating Mallet will perform for guests for three days in its first fall photographers’ event. The event will include a program on […]
News photo: Plaque honoring Trains editor Wrinn added to Western Maryland Scenic No. 1309
CUMBERLAND, Md. — A plaque added to the cab of Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 honors the contributions of late Trains editor Jim Wrinn to both the restoration of that locomotive and rail preservation in general. Howard Pincus, president of Connecticut’s Naugatuck Railroad and a friend of the Western Maryland Scenic operation, reports […]
Railfan photography special to launch season for Conway Scenic’s ‘Mountaineer’
NORTH CONWAY, N.H. — The Conway Scenic Railroad will launch its popular Mountaineer excursion train to Crawford Notch earlier than usual in 2022, beginning with a special Railfan’s Mountaineer photography special on Sunday, May 22. The train, to be hauled by a combination of locomotives including 470 Club’s former Boston & Maine F7A diesels, is […]
New England fall color featured in new ‘Trains’ tour
The combination of classic railroading and spectacular regional autumn color will be featured in “New England Fall Colors by Rail,” an eight-day, seven-night tour sponsored by Trains magazine and scheduled for Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 2022. Hosted by former Trains Editor Kevin P. Keefe and conducted by Special Interest Tours, the tour will be based out […]
After first bid falls through, new buyer set for former Saratoga & North Creek line
NORTH CREEK, N.Y. — The Tahawus segment of the former Saratoga & North Creek Railway has a new owner. Again. The Albany Times-Union reports that Revolution Rail will pay $2.7 million for the 30-mile segment of the line north of North Creek, which was not part of regular S&NC tourist operations. That portion leads to […]
Grand Canyon excursion honors late Trains editor
WILLIAMS, Ariz. — Arizona’s Grand Canyon Railway honored late Trains editor Jim Wrinn during a Saturday, April 23, excursion to mark Earth Day, adding a message, “Steam on, Jim Wrinn,” to the tender of 2-8-2 No. 4960. The locomotive is an appropriate one to use for an Earth Day event because the locomotive, built by […]
Oil Creek & Titusville to host photo charter May 28
TITUSVILLE, Pa. — The Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad will host a photo charter on May 28 featuring all three of its locomotives, featuring M420W No. 3568 in its new Pennsy-inspired Oil Creek & Titusville paint scheme. Just 35 seats are available for the event, scheduled for 5 hours and also featuring Alco S2 locomotives […]
Washington heritage railroad regains some insurance
CHEHALIS, Wash. — After being shut down for more than a month when insurers declined to renew its policy, the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum has acquired insurance that will allow some activity to resume. The Centralia Chronicle reports the heritage rail operation acquired premises-liability insurance as of April 8, allowing work to resume at the […]
Steamtown set to resume passenger excursions
SCRANTON, Pa. — Passenger excursions at the Steamtown National Historic Site wil resume beginning May 14, 2022, with 30-minute trips starting that day and the first extended trip set for May 28. The short trips, the Scranton Limited or Caboose Experience, will operate on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and […]
CDC extends TSA mask mandate for travel by two weeks
WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) federal mask mandate for travel on all rail systems, airplanes, in airports, and on buses will be extended through May 3, 15 days after it had been set to expire amid a new coronavirus surge fueled by the BA.2 variant. The two-week extension is from an order by […]
Sale of Saratoga & North Creek trackage in jeopardy
TAHAWAUS, N.Y. — The bankruptcy sale of a portion of the former Saratoga & North Creek Railroad is jeopardy after the buyers failed to submit a deposit in timely fashion, according to the bankruptcy trustee. The Adirondack Explorer news site reports buyers Carol McLean-Wright and John Wright, operating as Doc N Duchess Railway, did not […]