Lionel’s new baby K4 locomotive is a solid runner

Lionel's new baby K4 black locomotive in O gauge.

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 […]

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Ukraine war leads to coal shortage for British heritage steam

Small steam locomotive operating through field

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 […]

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2-6-6-2 steam locomotive action photos: Western Maryland Scenic

Smoke fills the frame with nose of black steam engine

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 […]

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PRR Atlantic on the LIRR

Pennsylvania Railroad

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 […]

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7 great Lionel locomotives and 4 duds

Lionel 408E locomotive.

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 […]

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Emery Trust awards $350,000 in rail preservation grants

Emery Rail Heritage Trust logo

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 […]

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NKP 759 in Virginia

Nickel Plate Road

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 […]

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Sugar Express sets steam excursions for April 9-10

Train with steam locomotive crosses wooden bridge

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 […]

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Kentucky Steam, Pueblo Railway Foundation swap parts for steam locomotive restorations

Steam locomotive at museum

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 […]

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