Train Watching

Follow along with Trains editors and staff as we watch beautiful trains around the world in operation.
Black Hills Central | Steam in the heart of South Dakota

Black Hills Central | Steam in the heart of South Dakota

In the shadows of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota, you can find one of...

Union Pacific No. 4014 | Big Boy trip to the ballpark

Union Pacific No. 4014 | Big Boy trip to the ballpark

In June 2023, Union Pacific's No. 4014 "Big Boy",  a 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive, ventured out...

Aberdeen Carolina & Western E-unit No. 103 | NODA Express

Aberdeen Carolina & Western E-unit No. 103 | NODA Express

It's May 25th, 2023, and a test run of the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railroad's new...

Southern Railway No. 722 | Return to steam

Southern Railway No. 722 | Return to steam

A ghost from the past is staging to return! In the spring of 2023, the Great...

Cass Scenic Railroad | Return to Durbin, W.Va.

Cass Scenic Railroad | Return to Durbin, W.Va.

Steam trains have been running at Durbin, W.Va., for the past 20 years. But if...

Rocky Mountaineer in the Rockies

Rocky Mountaineer in the Rockies

The Rocky Mountaineer began as a VIA Rail service in Canada in the late 1980s....

Brightline Basecamp Train Wash

Brightline Basecamp Train Wash

While commuters between Miami and West Palm Beach have enjoyed Brightline passenger rail service since...

Norfolk Southern’s Saluda Grade

Norfolk Southern’s Saluda Grade

The famous Saluda grade in western North Carolina has seen its last train. Railbanked in...

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad Heisler No. 3

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad Heisler No. 3

In October of 2022, restored former Craig Mountain Lumber Co. 2-truck Heisler steam locomotive No....

Canadian Pacific in the Rocky Mountains

Canadian Pacific in the Rocky Mountains

Even as news of the impending mega-merger of CP and KCS operations continues to break,...

Conrail Retrospective

Conrail Retrospective

Big Blue diesel locomotives were ubiquitous for those living in the Northeast and upper Midwest...

Reading & Northern Santa Trains in Pennsylvania

Reading & Northern Santa Trains in Pennsylvania

In December 2022, near Tamaqua, Pa., it’s no surprise the Reading & Northern Santa Trains...

East Broad Top No. 16 Debut

East Broad Top No. 16 Debut

Leaving Orbisonia, Pa., on a rainy day in February 2023, EBT steam locomotive No. 16...

Santa Maria Valley No. 205 at Work

Santa Maria Valley No. 205 at Work

Newly restored Santa Maria Valley 2-6-2 number 205 is under steam at the Albany and...

Soo Line No. 1003 Photo Special

Soo Line No. 1003 Photo Special

In coordination with the Kalmbach Media sponsored TrainFest hobby show in Milwaukee, Wisc., the Steam...

Union Pacific Silvis Donation Special

Union Pacific Silvis Donation Special

In November 2022, a special train left Cheyenne, Wyo., bound for the Railroading Heritage of...

Steam in the snow

Steam in the snow

There's just something special about witnessing steam trains working through winter weather. Watching as huge...

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad hosts massive steam locomotive

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad hosts massive steam locomotive

In November 2022, Trains Magazine hosted their second photo special of the year on the...

Rotary snowplow clears Cumbres Pass

Rotary snowplow clears Cumbres Pass

Of all the forces that can bring trains to a halt, snow has to be...

Operation Sergeant Santa

Operation Sergeant Santa

The Military Railroad Society, a 501 C3 not for profit organization, returns to provide military families,...