ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — A Friends of East Broad Top special on Saturday, Oct. 5, became the first train to operate on a section of newly restored main line trackage to the south of the railroad’s Rockhill Furnace headquarters. About 200 people were on board the six-car train that ran Saturday evening after the end […]
Type of Train: Steam Locomotive
Class of their own
In early 1954, Union Pacific 4-12-2 No. 9028 brings a train into North Platte, Neb., from the east. Only UP had 4-12-2s, 88 built during 1926–30, which led to the wheel arrangement being called the Union Pacific type. Art Stensvad photo […]
Fort Wayne society names Lynch as executive director
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, known for its stewardship of Nickel Plate Road steam engine No. 765 and the Indiana Rail Experience rail tourism program, has named Kelly Lynch as its first executive director — the first paid employee in the organization’s 52-year history. Lynch has been a member of […]
LCCA announces custom-run Lionel products
The Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) announces some Lionel custom-run products. To celebrate Lionel Trains’ 125th anniversary, the LCCA is releasing a VisionLine 4-6-4 Hudson locomotive. The engine features operation via Legacy, TMCC, or conventional mode with a standard transformer. It also features Bluetooth control and Lionel Voice Control. Minimum curve requirement is O-54 […]
Classic Toy Trains new products for October 2024
O gauge locomotives & rolling stock Atlas O, 378 Florence Ave., Hillside NJ 07205, has announced a 55-ton coal hopper car as part of the Premier line. The model features wire grab irons, opening sprung doors, and operates on O-31 curves. It’s available in six paint schemes (3005826 shown). Price: $99.95. Website: shop.atlasrr.com. Atlas O, […]
Pennsy power
Pennsylvania Railroad 2-10-4 No. 6456 is one of 125 such locomotives on the roster. The home-built engines were in the J1 and J1a classes, built between 1942 and 1944. The last was retired in 1959. Classic Trains collection […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 19 | Painting the backdrop – Part 2
Jay Smith, former illustrator (ret.) for Kalmbach Media, is back for more work on David’s painted backdrop of his On30 display layout. Although the painting won’t be completed here, Jay shows off his various techniques for adding more precision to the roughed-in mountains he crafted in the previous episode of this Olympia & Sand Creek […]
Grand Canyon No. 4960 challenges grades during railway’s multiple anniversaries
WILLIAMS, Ariz. — At age 123, the former Santa Fe branch between Williams and Grand Canyon National Park will not hesitate in challenging Grand Canyon Railway’s steam and diesel locomotives as they navigate the sharp curves and 3.5% grades. The fleet’s flagship, 2-8-2 No. 4960, was no exception on Sept. 21, 2024. Commemorating the first […]
Jay Leno puts Union Pacific Big Boy and steam program in the spotlight
Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014, the railroad’s heritage fleet, and steam program boss Ed Dickens are featured in the latest episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage,” the former “Tonight Show” host’s YouTube program. UP and the National Park Foundation welcomed Leno and his film crew on the Missouri Valley to Dennison, Iowa, portion of […]
An adventure in imagination
Editor’s note: This article was submitted to Garden Railways in 2015. In contacting the author recently to inquire about publication, we learned that he passed away in 2023. We offer our condolences to the family and are honored to present this article in his memory. See the author’s original railway story in the August 2001 […]
Locomotives we love: Lionel No. 2025 2-6-2 Prairie type steamer
What toy train locomotive means the most to you? It just has to be Lionel’s famed 2-6-2 Prairie type locomotive that is still in my collection. How did you acquire it? This adventure started in 1947 at the early age of 5 years old, when Dad unpacked the Lionel train set he’d purchased downtown. We […]
Santa Fe No. 2926 visits Albuquerque’s Rail Yards for Railroad Days
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Santa Fe No. 2926 will make its second visit of the year to Albuquerque’s downtown Rail Yards – a former ATSF facility with sections redeveloped as a multi-use venue, and future home for the 4-8-4. New Mexico Railroad Days is scheduled on Sept. 28 and 29, with the locomotive to make an […]