The John Emery Rail Heritage Trust has announced the award of 19 grants totaling $250,000 for rail preservation projects as part of its annual award program, after considering some 29 applications seeking a total of almost $875,000 in funding. The Emery Rail Heritage Trust was founded by longtime Chicago resident John Emery, an avid rail […]
Great Northern’s Chicago–Seattle/Portland Empire Builder is seen on the Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis in a 1929 publicity photo. Amtrak’s Empire Builder does not use this bridge, which, though preserved as a landmark, has been devoid of tracks for years. GN photo […]
After host David Popp cleans up a few foibles around the cork roadbed, he turns to the task of modifying turnouts to accommodate Tortoise switch motors. And then his full focus goes to laying down the trackwork! Follow his fastidious process for aligning the main line and gluing into place…to perfection! And be sure to […]
In April 1943, Burlington Route 4-6-4 No. 4000 enters Chicago Union Station with Great Northern’s Empire Builder, which has used CB&Q rails from the Twin Cities. Hudson 4000 was once streamlined to pinch-hit for diesels on the stainless-steel Zephyrs. Classic Trains collection […]
After host David Popp cleans up a few foibles around the cork roadbed, he turns to the task of modifying turnouts to accommodate Tortoise switch motors. And then his full focus goes to laying down the trackwork! Follow his fastidious process for aligning the main line and gluing into place…to perfection! And be sure to […]
Late in her life, New York Central 4-6-4 5403 races west from Mattoon, Ill., with nameless mail and express train 473 in September 1954. Philip R. Hastings photo […]
The American Freedom Train steam locomotives were stars in their own right during the U.S. Bicentennial tour. From 1975 to 1976, a total of three each took turns leading the 26-car exhibit train full of American artifacts through 48 contiguous states. What were these patriotic steam stars and where are they now? Southern Pacific No. […]
Q: I watch videos of model railroads on YouTube. On a video of a Boston & Maine layout, I saw a strange steamer. A 2-10-2 had a long tender, and on the rear truck of the tender, the wheels were ganged together with a connecting rod and the wheels had counterweights. Why? – Robert Beadle A: […]
The railroad with the largest 2-10-0 Decapod fleet should come as no surprise. Throughout most of its history, the Pennsylvania Railroad called itself “The Standard Railroad of the World,” and yet in so many ways it was anything but “standard.” From position-light signals along its right-of-way to Belpaire boilers for its steam locomotives to […]
Visiting the Strasburg Rail Road History of the Strasburg Rail Road Visiting the Strasburg Rail Road is on the top of many a railfan’s bucket list. The Strasburg Rail Road, based in Strasburg, Pa., is the oldest railroad in America. It was founded in 1832 and is still running under its original name. It is […]
In December 2022, near Tamaqua, Pa., it’s no surprise the Reading & Northern Santa Trains are big business! Of course, the Reading & Northern is no stranger to giving the public what they want. The railroad does a brisk business with these runs with its Lehigh Gorge Scenic railway operation, based out of Jim Thorpe, […]
Major 2020s steam locomotive restorations (so far!) will take a look at five locomotives that returned to service in the early part of the decade. Even in these challenging times, the restoration efforts show no signs of slowing down. Check out our list: U.S. Sugar No. 148 Restoration completed in 2020: Built in April 1920 […]
