Schroepfer to head California State Railroad Museum Foundation

Man in dark blue suit and tie

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Railroad Museum Foundation has named Tim Schroepfer as its president and CEO, effective immediately. Schroepfer joined the foundation as director of events and marketing in 2019, then became interim chief operation officer last year before his latest promotion. He succeeds Cheryl Marcell, who left the foundation in 2021. “Tim […]

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The Trains Interview: Scott Lothes

Head shot of man in shirt and vest

MADISON, Wis. — Scott Lothes has guided the Center for Railroad Photography & Art as its executive director for more than 10 years, leading the Center through a period in whch its budget and archives expanded fivefold and its staff grew dramatically. Trains News Wire interviewed him to learn more about the Center’s success, how […]

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Canadian Pacific 2816 The Empress steam locomotive profile

Steam locomotive with short passenger train in low angle sunlight.

Introducing The Empress Canadian Pacific 2816 The Empress: Canadian Pacific President and CEO Rob Ritchie set the steam preservation world on its ear when in 1998 he revealed the railway’s plan to repatriate CP H1b Hudson No. 2816 from its long-time home at the National Park Service’s Steamtown museum and rebuild the 1930-vintage locomotive for […]

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Google joins Michigan Central Station project

MichiganCentralStation1940

DETROIT — Google is joining Ford Motor Co.’s effort to transform the landmark Michigan Central Station into a hub of technology and innovation. The news site mlive.com reports Google will be a “founding member” of the Michigan Central Innovation District, a 30-acre campus being developed by Ford at the long-neglected station. “This is not going […]

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East Broad Top announces Winter Spectacular schedule

Railcar and caboose in front of station building

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — The EBT Foundation has released the list of activities for its East Broad Top Railroad Winter Spectacular, to be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-19. This is the second Spectacular to be held since the Foundation acquired the historic narrow gauge railroad, a National Historic Landmark, in 2020. Last year’s event […]

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Sierra Railroad acquires former Fillmore & Western equipment

F unit and road-switchers parked next to station

FILLMORE, Calif. — Sierra Railroad of Davis, Calif., announced today it has purchased the majority of the remaining locomotives, rolling stock and other assets from the former Fillmore & Western Railroad operation in Ventura County. The Montalvo-to-Piru line, owned by the Ventura County Transportation Commission, has been operated by Sierra Railroad’s Sierra Northern Ventura Division […]

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Group forms to save Bakersfield, Calif., station

Black and white photo of train station

  BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – A group has formed to try to save a 133-year-old former Southern Pacific railroad station in Bakersfield, and is asking the public’s help in convincing the city to extend a lease on the structure while it mounts its preservation efforts. The Bakersfield Californian reports the Save the Sumner Station Working Group […]

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Trains Magazine event features U.S. Sugar steam operation

Train with steam locomotive crosses wooden bridge

CLEWISTON, Fla. — Trains Magazine, U.S. Sugar, and FMW Solutions partnered Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 29-30, to provide an unforgettable experience for 60 enthusiasts who enjoyed the sights and sounds of U.S. Sugar’s restored 1920 Alco 4-6-2 No. 148 on both a replica cane train and a passenger train. The event was the second public […]

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Rebuilt Reading & Northern 4-8-4 to debut on freight trains

Three-quarters view of steam locomotive in shop building

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Reading & Northern 4-8-4 No. 2102 will mark its return to service following a six-year, $1.45 million rebuild by pulling freight, according to railroad owner and CEO Andrew M. Muller Jr. Muller told Trains News Wire that he expects the engine to break in on R&N freight trains in mid-March. Four […]

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Legislator seeks state status for Virginia Museum of Transportation

Logo of the Virginia Museum of Transportation

ROANOKE, Va. — A state legislator is seeking to gain status as a state agency for the Virginia Museum of Transportation, which would make the Roanoke attraction eligible for state funding. The website Cardinal News reports the museum is already recognized as the commonwealth’s official transportation museum, but that distinction carries no legal status that […]

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NS, museum team up to save Southern Railway Kentucky storehouse

LUDLOW, Ky. – Norfolk Southern and the Ludlow Heritage Museum have signed a lease agreement to preserve the NS-owned former Southern Railway Ludlow Yard Store House building, the last remaining original structure in Ludlow used by the Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific Railway, which was leased to Southern in 1894. The agreement allows museum […]

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Abilene & Smoky Valley launches maintenance initiative

Logo of Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

ABILENE, Kan. — The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad is launching a fundraising campaign to upgrade its former Rock Island track between Abilene and Enterprise, Kan. Abilene & Smoky Valley, organized in 1993, purchased the right-of-way from Union Pacific and has been operating excursion trains on the Abilene-Enterprise route since 1994. The railroad is best […]

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