Back in the steam era, many railroads had a particular locomotive that symbolized that railway in the minds of the public. The New York Central had the 4-6-4 Hudson, the Milwaukee Road had its streamlined Hiawatha 4-4-2 Atlantics, and the Pennsylvania – which branded itself The Standard Railroad of the World – had the K4 […]
Type of Train: Steam Locomotive
Ukraine war leads to coal shortage for British heritage steam
Several of the largest steam heritage railways in Britain have announced reduced schedules or postponed special events involving multiple locomotives. The reason: a shortage of suitable coal because of transport or supply problems following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Britain once boasted the world’s largest coal export ports. Railways around the world relied on coal […]
2-6-6-2 steam locomotive action photos: Western Maryland Scenic
2-6-6-2 steam locomotive action photos: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and Trains Magazine on Feb. 25-27 kicked off the 2022 steam season at the Cumberland, Md.-based tourist railroad with a multiday photo charter for 100 enthusiasts spotlighting No. 1309, the former Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 returned to service after an arduous restoration process. The 1949 articulated […]
Durango & Silverton settles lawsuits stemming from 2018 wildfire (updated)
DENVER — The Durango & Silverton has agreed to pay $20 million and adopt fire mitigation plans in a proposed settlement to a lawsuit over its role in a massive 2018 Colorado wildfire. The money will settle a suit filed in 2019 by the federal government, which claimed cinders from one of the railroad’s locomotives […]
PRR Atlantic on the LIRR
Pennsylvania Railroad E3sd 4-4-2 2999 passes B Tower in Bethpage, N.Y., with an eastbound Long Island Rail Road train in the 1930s. Controlled by the Pennsy between 1900 and 1966, LIRR often borrowed power from its parent. Pierre M. Ditto photo […]
7 great Lionel locomotives and 4 duds
7 great Lionel locomotives and 4 duds – this list recognizes what we consider to be the Lionel Corporation’s crowning achievements in locomotive manufacturing 1900-1969. Admittedly, it’s subjective, based on experience owning, operating, and repairing Lionel locomotives. We both value solid construction and reliable operation, so those were key factors in awarding our trophies. Our […]
Emery Trust awards $350,000 in rail preservation grants
The John Emery Rail Heritage Trust has will award 22 grants totaling $350,000, for rail preservation projects in 2022. The list of grants selected comes from 34 applications requesting more than $1 million. The trust, the largest in the U.S. that makes 100% of its awards solely for rail restoration projects, was founded by long-time […]
California’s Railtown 1897, museum foundation acquire Sierra Railway locomotive
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Railtown 1897 State Historic Park and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation have acquired historic Sierra Railway No. 34, the only surviving Sierra steam locomotive never to have been in service on another railroad. A ceremony to mark the acquisition, made possible through a donation by railroad enthusiasts Chris Baldo and Marion Hatch, will […]
Age of Steam Roundhouse, Trains Magazine offer exclusive photo event May 20
SUGARCREEK, Ohio — Age of Steam Roundhouse and Trains Magazine will sponsor an exclusive day of photography May 20 at the venue that houses the late Jerry Joe Jacobson’s extensive steam locomotive collection. The day will begin with the operation of Moorhead & North Fork 0-6-0 No. 12 and then move inside, where locomotives ranging […]
NKP 759 in Virginia
High Iron Company’s Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 759 thunders down the Norfolk & Western main line with an excursion train at Natural Bridge, Va., in November 1968. Don Wood photo […]
Sugar Express sets steam excursions for April 9-10
CLEWISTON, Fla. — U.S. Sugar’s Sugar Express will operate its restored Alco 4-6-2 steam locomotive, No. 148, on two days of train rides between Clewiston and Moore Haven in April. Two-hour round trips on April 9-10 will depart Clewiston at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. each day. Each trip will feature No. 148 […]
Kentucky Steam, Pueblo Railway Foundation swap parts for steam locomotive restorations
RAVENNA, Ky. — Part of a Santa Fe engine is heading East to help return a locomotive to operating condition, thanks to a creative collaboration between two unlikely preservation partners. Two non-profit organizations, the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. and the Pueblo (Colo.) Railway Foundation, will swap locomotive components, bringing one 78-year-old locomotive’s restoration closer to […]