Chesapeake & Ohio 3039, seen at Cotton Hill, W.Va., in 1950, was the last of 40 big class T-1 2-10-4s the road received from Lima in 1930. Their 69-inch drivers set them apart from earlier, slower Texas types. Richard J. Cook photo […]
Type of Train: Steam Locomotive
November plow patrol
Name: Ray Wheeler Railroad Name: Jericho & Mt Zion Railway Location: Lynnwood, WA Scale: G scale Theme: Tourist railroad with freight operations in the modern era.Description: “November Plow Patrol” – Ride along on J&MtZ plow car #628 with Engine # 20 and Caboose 02 make a snow patrol run on the main track. Music from […]
Big Emma at rest
Louisville & Nashville class M-1 No. 1988, one of 42 “Big Emma” 2-8-4s Baldwin and Lima built for the road during 1942–49, rests between runs at Corbin, Ky., in May 1952. Ed Theisinger photo […]
The Polar Express train set from Lionel in O gauge
The Polar Express train set from Lionel in O gauge (and S, for that matter) evolves with the technology. The train itself, celebrating the Christmas book and movie, has been in the catalog for years. The train maker continues to find ways to keep it fun and fresh with each iteration. The latest version of […]
Algers, Winslow & Western 0-6-0
At Enosville in southwestern Indiana, six-wheel switcher No. 57 of 16-mile coal-hauler Algers, Winslow & Western rests between runs in May 1952. Ed Theisinger photo […]
Broadway Limited HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD45
Broadway Limited HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD45 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $399.99 Era: 1965 to present Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 broadway-limited.com Electro-Motive Division SD45 features: Two prototype-specific short hood variations Separately-applied wire grab irons, lift rings, and other details Etched-metal radiator fans and grills Light-emitting-diode lighting with […]
Biggest steam switcher: Union Railroad’s 0-10-2
The biggest steam switcher stood head and shoulders above the rest. In the steam era, switch engines came in basically three sizes: 0-4-0, 0-6-0, and 0-8-0. They ranged from diminutive shop switchers — typically 0-4-0s, pretty much a pre-1900 machine — to huge switchers such as Indiana Harbor Belt’s three U-4a class 0-8-0s […]
Missouri-Kansas-Texas locomotives remembered
Missouri-Kansas-Texas locomotives were modernized under the watch of President Matthew Sloan in the 1930s. They were mostly built before World War I, with higher boiler pressures and superheaters. As a light-rail granger road set in mostly prairie country, Katy needed only modernized engines. Premier mainline power was 154 Mikados and 62 Pacifies, with yard work […]
Cumbres & Toltec launches 2023 ticket sales
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has placed tickets for its 2023 season on sale, launching a 15% off holiday sale that runs through Dec. 31. “Last year, we released tickets earlier than ever and our fans were delighted,” railroad president Scott Gibbs said in a press release. “… It makes for a very meaningful […]
Challenger on Helmstetter’s
Western Maryland 4-6-6-4 1203 rounds famous Helmstetter’s Curve west of Cumberland, Md., with a train for Connellsville, Pa., on May 15, 1953. Edward Theisinger photo […]
Historic Union Pacific equipment arrives in Illinois (with video)
SILVIS, Ill. — Union Pacific’s hospital train of historic equipment from Cheyenne, Wyo. arrived at the Silvis shops of Railroading Heritage of Midwest America late on the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 19, just ahead of planned ceremonies to mark donation of the locomotives and other rolling stock. The equipment, including 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985, 2-10-2 No. […]
Union Pacific “hospital” train detoured onto Iowa Interstate
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The “hospital” train ferrying historic Union Pacific steam locomotives and other equipment to Silvis, Ill. was detoured onto the Iowa Interstate Railroad at Council Bluffs this morning. The train has been making a slow move across the UP main line since departing Cheyenne, Wyo. on Nov. 11. The slow speed of […]