Cass Scenic Railroad’s “Big Six” to return to service

Giant geared steam locomotive pulls a freight train.

CASS, W.Va. — Former Western Maryland Railway geared steam locomotive No. 6 (“Big Six”) has recently completed its FRA 1,472-day inspection and boiler recertification. According to the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad (DGVR), the massive Shay-type will undergo final break-in runs and adjustments before returning to excursion service on the Cass Scenic Railroad. “Big Six” […]

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Grand Canyon Railway’s 4960

A black steam locomotive pulls passenger cars down a single-track line under a blue sky

Builder: Baldwin Locomotive Works Wheel arrangement: 2-8-2 Mikado Build date: March 1923 Why it’s important: Grand Canyon Railway’s 4960 was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. The O-1A class 2-8-2 Mikado No. 4960 was ideally suited for powering fast freight trains across Burlington’s mostly level Midwest routes. With the arrival […]

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Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad returns to operation

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad returns to operation. Steam locomotive with passenger cars

ELBE, Wash. — Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad has begun offering a limited excursion schedule for September and October as stated on its website. The train trips come at least a year or two ahead of the railroad’s timeline for returning to operation [see “Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad scheduled to reopen by 2025,” Trains, December 2022]. […]

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Santa Fe No. 3415 resumes operations during Labor Day weekend

Steam locomotive with passenger car and gondola for riders in field with trees in background.

ABILENE, Kan. — Santa Fe No. 3415 returned to service on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad during the Labor Day weekend. The 4-6-2 received a month-long break and extensive work in August that included check-valve maintenance and a routine firebox cleanout, according to Ross Boelling, the president and general manager of the A&SV. “No. […]

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Grand Canyon No. 4960 labors through Saturday excursion

GC4960

WILLIAMS, Ariz. — Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel’s No. 4960 was at the head of Sept. 2’s round trip from Williams to the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The busy Labor Day weekend resulted in a 16-car excursion train that maxed out the platform length at the Williams Station, according to Eric Hadder, […]

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News & Products for the week of September 5th 2023

A model boxcar

News & Products for the week of September 5th 2023   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of September 5th […]

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Santa Fe No. 2926 steams again to local brewery for fundraiser

Large crowds around steam locomotive

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Santa Fe steam locomotive No. 2926 returned to the Tractor Brewing Wells Park for public display at the “Tracks, Tunes & Taps!” fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 26. “It performed as well as it could be expected,” said Mathew Casford, chief of rail operations for New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society […]

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