Crisis at the coal chute!

CN3503

The engineer of Canadian National 2-8-2 3503 enjoys the breeze as he hurries a freight east at Lorne Park, Ont., in August 1955, a year after the author’s experience on another CN Mikado some 700 miles to the northwest. W. H. N. Rossiter A steam locomotive fireman’s duties go far beyond the actual firing of the […]

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Changing times and familiar faces

As we mark our 250th issue, a familiar name returns to our masthead. Bob Keller, who served as associate editor of Classic Toy Trains for more than 20 years, returns as contributing editor. Bob joined the staff in 1996, following his retirement from the U.S. Air Force, where he held the rank of major. In […]

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Van Buren Street Station historic images

FULL SCREEN Jack Ferry collection For a decade, the cover of the Illinois Central system timetable carried illustrations of the Chicago lakefront. All purported to show the view from the top of Great Central Station, which burned in the Great Fire of 1871. The depot’s arched train shed, however, was never rebuilt. FULL SCREEN Detroit […]

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