Trains Photo Contest 2025: The last mile

Trains Photo Contest 2025

Man working on steam locomotive as smoke and steam swirl around the machine. — George Hiotis captured the grand prize image for the 2024 Trains-NRHS Photo Contest and claimed the $1,000 prize. His illustration of the theme — Power — featured Union Pacific No. 3985. Hiotis described his image: By any standard, Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985 is a massive locomotive, among the largest ever built; a prime example of man’s scaled-up ambitions. When steamed up, she is a loud, giant, hissing beast from which every sound is indicative of her enormous power, be it her throaty whistle or thundering exhaust at track speed, which causes the ground to shake and onlookers to cover their ears. Her sheer size towers over the tallest individual, making them appear as a dwarf. The combination of a rising sun bathing the locomotive in golden light, the rail worker dwarfed by No. 3985, steam enveloping the scene, and the hammer that seems inconsequential to the large locomotive, all produce an overwhelming feeling of power for the viewer. No. 3985 was being prepared for a fan trip when this scene occurred in Cheyenne, Wyo., on the cold morning of April 23, 1981.

Trains Magazine and the National Railway Historical Society are pleased to present the 2025 photo contest. The NRHS is a nonprofit that promotes the interest and study of the railroad industry, a mission shared by Trains. The NRHS, which was established in 1935, is an excellent partner for a magazine that’s been around since 1940. Both groups celebrate railroad history and present-day operations. The two organizations believe that supporting and encouraging photography fosters a greater interest in the art and encourages creativity and further study of railroad subjects.

The 2025 contest theme is: The last mile

The Last Mile evokes many thoughts about railroading. It could be the end of a branch line or some other track. Such an end may be marked or simply fade into the surrounding environment. The last mile could be captured at a station or car yard. The imagery might reflect the conclusion of a commuter’s work day or what happens to the equipment after the last passenger has ridden the last mile. For an historic piece of equipment, the last mile could be seen in its preservation and exhibit at a museum, city park, or even someone’s back yard. In contemporary terms, the last mile imagery could be captured as freight arriving at its destination on any railroad. The last mile concept transcends time, as every train journey throughout history has, at some point, come to an end. Finally, as with any aspect of railroading, there is a human factor to the last mile. This is not just about a passenger train completing its route or spotting freight cars at the customer’s dock; the last mile involves all of the people who made the action occur. What is your vision of the last mile?

This year Trains and the NRHS are looking for your photographs showing your interpretation of the last mile. As always, you can illustrate the theme however you like. We are seeking the most creative illustrations of the last mile through photographs of exceptional technical quality. Although examples are given here, these are far from the final thoughts on the last mile. Find your last mile, capture it, and be ready to provide a creative explanation telling its story.

Please submit no more than three high-resolution images (3,000 pixels on the longest edge). Do not alter your images beyond minor color corrections, burning, dodging and levels adjustments. Send JPEGs to TrainsContest@nrhs.com no later than June 1, 2025. Please include your full name and phone number. We do not accept mailed submissions.

Winners will be announced in the November 2025 issue of Trains.

Enter your photos at: TrainsContest@nrhs.com

Grand Prize

Winner will receive: $1,000 from the National Railway Historical Society

First Prize

Winner will receive: $500

Second Prize

Winner will receive: $250

Five Runners-Up

Winners will receive: a three-year subscription to Trains Magazine or equivalent Trains products

All winners will also receive a complimentary, one-year membership in the NRHS.

Rules

Enter up to three (3) digital images at TrainsContest@nrhs.com.
Contestants must include their name, a daytime phone number, email address, and basic caption information in the digital image’s metadata.
All entries must be submitted by June 1, 2025.
Winning photos will be published in November 2025 issue of Trains.
Trains and NRHS reserve the right to retain electronic copies for future publication, use as a contest gallery exhibition on their respective websites, Facebook walls, X (formerly Twitter) feeds, other social media, or for public exhibition. In all cases, the photographer retains the copyright to the image.
A committee of NRHS members and Trains staff will judge photos on a “blind” basis, meaning they will not know the identities of the entrants.
Multiple prizes will not be awarded to any individual.
Employees of Firecrown Media Co., or their families are not eligible to enter. NRHS photo contest committee members and their families are not eligible to enter.
By entering the 2025 Trains photo contest, you agree to share your name and contact information with the NRHS and Trains.
Photographs of model railroads will not be accepted.