Big Boy Mississippi crossing, August 2021

  The Union Pacific Big Boy Mississippi River crossing is one for the history books. So far as Trains editors know, this is Union Pacific Big Boy 4014’s first foray to the “Big Easy,” New Orleans! Join Trains contributor Steve Smedley for this portion of Big Boy’s 2021 tour through Texas and the Mid-South with […]

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Maine Narrow Gauge eyes two more locomotives in steam

Small black steam locomotive

PORTLAND, Maine – Looking to the future, the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. and Museum plans to restore two more of its 2-foot gauge steam locomotives to operating condition, in addition to two currently in service. The announcement was made at the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum’s summer picnic earlier this month, where two […]

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Geared for success

Geared steam locomotive reverses with coal cars

Geared for success Brimstone’s 3-truck Shay No. 35 pulls coal in Tennessee. Lumber railroads were the primary users, but a few coal-haulers used Shays and/or the two other popular geared locomotives in North America, Heislers and Climaxes. Dwight Smith, Jim Wrinn collection […]

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A visit to John Staschak’s O gauge layout

Overview of John Staschak's toy train layout with superimposed cover of September 2021 Classic Toy Trains

John’s layout appears in the September 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. It features tremendous trackwork and wonderful scenery (see the plan here), in addition to some spectacular modern trains. Watch and hear freight and passenger consists work their way around it. […]

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A visit to John Staschak’s O gauge layout

Overview of John Staschak's toy train layout with superimposed cover of September 2021 Classic Toy Trains

John’s layout appears in the September 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. It features tremendous trackwork and wonderful scenery (see the plan here), in addition to some spectacular modern trains. Watch and hear freight and passenger consists work their way around it. […]

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Chinese-built 2-10-2 set for series of Iowa excursions

Steam locomotive leaves shop building

NEWTON, Iowa — If there wasn’t enough going on in August 2021 for the steam locomotive enthusiast, here’s one more special event to keep an eye on, or maybe even attend: An Iowa-based Chinese-built QJ 2-10-2 is starting its public tour. On Friday, Central States Steam Preservation No. 6988 made a deadhead freight move from […]

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UP updates plans for Big Boy display in New Orleans

BigBoy_Speer_Wrinn

NEW ORLEANS — Union Pacific is adjusting plans for Saturday’s display of Big Boy No. 4014 in New Orleans in light of local COVID-19 guidelines. The railroad has announced the locomotive will be on display from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Audubon Riverview Park, 6500 Magazine Street. However, the “Experience the Union Pacific” rail […]

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Western Pacific Railroad: Locomotives

Black-and-white view of diesel road-switcher locomotive

  All through August 2021, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and splendor that was the Western Pacific Railroad. Please enjoy this photo gallery of locomotives selected from Kalmbach Media’s David P. Morgan Library. Only from Trains.com! […]

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News Photo: Big Boy departs Houston

Steam locomotive and diesel pulling yellow passenger train

HOUSTON — After a display day on Tuesday, Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 resumed its 2021 tour on Wednesday, resuming its trek toward New Orleans. The 4-8-8-4 and its train is show here leaving Houston on Wednesday’s move to Beaumont, Texas. Today, it is scheduled to continue to Livonia, La., where it will lay […]

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