New Belpaire firebox emerges for PRR K4s steam engine No. 1361

Three men standing in front of steam locomotive under construction

ALTOONA, Pa. — The first new Belpaire steam-locomotive firebox built in Altoona in 76 years is taking shape at the Railroaders Memorial Museum. Over the last week, employees of consultant FMW Solutions LLC and volunteers have fabricated a new firebox for former Pennsylvania Railroad Class K4s 4-6-2 steam passenger engine No. 1361 (PRR Juniata Shops, […]

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Empire Builder fights weather, congestion, track issues

Passenger train with two blue locomotives with red trim

MINOT, N.D. — With winter storm warnings in effect across the northern plains from a windy, frigid blast that has already barreled through the Sierra Nevada and Colorado mountains, there is always the possibility that service on Amtrak’s long-distance network will be disrupted. As was the case during a blizzard last month [“Westbound Empire Builder […]

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Norfolk Southern trainee killed in Alabama accident (updated)

Norfolk Southern logo

BESSEMER, Ala. — A Norfolk Southern conductor trainee was killed early this morning (Tuesday, Dec. 13) in what is being described as a freak accident, Al.com reports. Bessemer police report they were called to the accident scene about 1 a.m. The trainee and conductor were on a train when it passed another NS train. One […]

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Mt. Washington Cog Railway engineer dies in hiking tragedy

Man leaning out of cab of steam locomotive

RANDOLPH, N.H. — A hiker who fell to his death off the summit of Mt. Willard in Crawford Notch on Saturday, Dec. 10, has been identified as a longtime employee of the Mt. Washington Cog Railway. WMUR-TV reports that New Hampshire Fish and Game officials on Monday identified the victim as Joseph “Eggy” Eggleston, 53, […]

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