PERRIS, Calif. – The Southern California Railroad Museum, formerly known as the Orange Empire Railway Museum, is sponsoring a night photo shoot April 22. The event will run 6 to 10p.m. Space is limited to 25 photographers, and reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The photoshoot will use open flash photography and feature […]
Train Topic: Preservation
Grand Canyon Railway sets 2023 steam dates
WILLIAMS, Ariz. – The Grand Canyon Railway has announced dates it will operate 2-8-2 No. 4960 in 2023. The railroad typically uses the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad locomotive to pull trains between Williams and Grand Canyon one Saturday a month, plus some additional dates. The 2023 steam dates are: February 18 for […]
National Railroad Museum expansion plans approved
ASHWAUBENON, Wis. — The National Railroad Museum’s site plan for a 32,040-square-foot addition to its Lenfestey Center received unanimous approval at a Jan. 3 meeting of the Ashwaubenon Site Plan Review Committee, the Green Bay Press Times reports. Approval allows the museum to move forward with the expansion plan as long as it meets conditions […]
Work begins on Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985
SILVIS, Ill. – Railroading Heritage of Midwest America crews have taken the first steps toward returning Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985 to operation this week by stripping parts off the 4-6-6-4. Today crews lifted the cab off the locomotive. “RRHMA crews have been making good progress all week striping down [No.] 3985,” says Steve […]
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad hosts massive steam locomotive
In November 2022, Trains Magazine hosted their second photo special of the year on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad near Cumberland, Maryland, with 2-6-6-2 No. 1309. An earlier trip in February 2022 operated for 100 people. This time, a smaller crowd of 60 photographers from across the United States and as far away as England […]
More Union Pacific steam locomotives undergoing restoration
EVANSTON, Wyo. — While restoration of Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985 and 2-10-2 No. 5511 in Silvis, Ill., has grabbed headlines, there are at least two other Union Pacific steam locomotives currently undergoing return to operating condition. One that has really flown under the radar is UP S-4 Class 0-6-0 No. 4420 at the UP […]
George Walker, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum general manager, dies
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — George Walker, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum general manager, passenger operations, died Jan. 4, 2023, following an accident at the organization’s shop facility in the early afternoon hours, according to Penelope Soule Gault, museum marketing and public relations director, and a statement posted on their website. The museum’s statement reads: “The Tennessee Valley […]
United Railroad Historical Society hires executive director
BOONTON, N.J. – The United Railroad Historical Society (URHS) of New Jersey announced that it has hired Kevin Phalon as its first executive director. Phalon is URHS’s first paid employee in its 36-year history. He has served as URHS president since May 2020, and as a volunteer for the past decade. Phalon comes to URHS […]
National Railroad Museum submits expansion plans
ASHWAUBENON, Wis. – The National Railroad Museum has submitted a plan to the Village of Ashwaubenon for a $15 million expansion project that would include a new building for exhibits and a plaza along the Fox River, Green Bay’s Fox 11 News reported. The museum would expand its current Lenfestey Center by 32,040 square feet. […]
Alaska Railroad to mark 100 years
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – As the new year dawns, Alaska Railroad is preparing to mark 100 years since the completion of its 470-mile main line. It was July 15, 1923, when President Warren G. Harding drove a golden spike signaling the completion of the railroad in Nenana, Alaska (Harding would die in San Francisco while returning […]
Pullman National Monument designated as National Park
CHICAGO — President Joe Biden has signed legislation that changes the Pullman National Monument to a National Historical Park, making it the first National Park Service unit in Chicago. Pullman National Monument was designated by President Barack Obama on Feb. 19, 2015. The park tells the story of one of the first planned industrial communities […]
R&LHS announces new award for passenger rail writing
The Railway & Locomotive Historical Society will recognize magazine writing about passenger rail service with the latest addition to its Railroad History Awards. The William F. Howes Jr. Passenger Rail Article Award becomes the seventh category of the awards program, which began in 1982. Howes, a career railroad official with the Baltimore & Ohio railroad […]