2022 steam locomotive list

Small steam locomotive with freight car in high-plains scenery

Here’s our 2022 steam locomotive list. As 2021 may be the best so far in the 21st century to be a steam locomotive enthusiast, 2022 is looking good too! A Big Boy is running on Union Pacific’s main lines, the last Baldwin steam locomotive built is flexing its articulated muscles on a mountain railroad, and […]

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Trains Magazine, Western Maryland Scenic announce 1309 event

Large steam locomotive, shining after restoration

CUMBERLAND, Md. — Trains Magazine and Western Maryland Scenic Railroad are pleased to announce the first enthusiast event to celebrate return of newly restored 2-6-6-2 No. 1309, to be held Feb. 25-27, 2022. The three-day event will be limited to 100 participants and will include a night run on the legendary Western Maryland Railway main […]

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CP says it could have British Columbia rail line reopened by midweek

Railroad and highway washed out by flooding

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — With flood damage to road and rail lines still cutting much of the province off from the rest of Canada, British Columbia has begun rationing gasoline and instituted travel restrictions that will prohibit vehicle traffic on some key highways to commercial transport of essentials such as food, water, and medical supplies. […]

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Excursions to begin on New Mexico short line

Locomotive with elaborate purple dragon paint scheme

SANTA FE, N.M. — A group of entrepreneurs who purchased the old Santa Fe Southern Railway in 2020 plan to begin offering excursions Dec. 3. “Every train ride will be embedded in entertainment,” Sky Railway co-owner Bill Banowsky told the Santa Fe New Mexican in announcing plans for the new attraction. Santa will be aboard […]

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San Diego transit district to revive STB petition

People walking on railroad tracks as train approaches

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The North County Transit District plans to revive its regulatory efforts to build a safety fence along its rail line through Del Mar, Calif., saying it has been unable to reach agreement with the city, which opposes the fencing. The San Diego Union Tribune reports the district board of directors, at […]

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Phoenix gets funding for light rail extension

Purple and silver light rail train rounds 90-degree curve

PHOENIX — Phoenix officials were joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg Friday in marking the approval of $158.1 million in federal funding for the latest extension to the area’s light rail system. The Arizona Republic reports the money will fund the $401.3 million, 1.6-mile extension of the northwest portion of the 28-mile Valley […]

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Virginia port to double rail capacity, add additional cranes

Port of Virginia logo

NORFOLK, Va. — The Port of Virginia’s board of directors has approved a $61.5 million contract to double the size of the Central Rail Yard at the Norfolk International Terminals. WAVY-TV reports the board also approved an $18 million contract for up to three cantilever rail-mounted gantry cranes and related systems. The two projects will […]

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FRA relaunches Railroad Safety Advisory Committee

Federal Railroad Administration logo

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has renewed the charter of the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee for a two-year period while adding new members. Friday’s announcement came a day after FRA Deputy Administrator Amit Bose told the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association that the board would be revived to help “management and labor […]

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Western Maryland Scenic 1309 receives FRA approval

steam locomotive outside shop

RIDGELEY, W.Va. — The Federal Railroad Administration Thursday approved Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 for service, officials of the Cumberland, Md.-based tourist railroad tell Trains News Wire. The last Baldwin built for domestic service in 1949 immediately becomes the world’s largest operating Mallet on a 17-mile mountain railroad that was once the Western […]

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