Rio Grande Southern No. 20 visits Durango

Steam locomotive on a flatbed trailer in a mountain pass.

DURANGO, Colo. — Rio Grande Southern 4-6-0 No. 20 recently traveled from its home at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The trip, aboard a semitruck, took the locomotive over Colorado’s 10,222-foot-high Lizard Head Pass, where it once operated. No. 20 last crossed this pass in the […]

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U.S. Sugar steam photo charter set for Jan. 17-18

CLEWISTON, Fla. — U.S. Sugar’s Sugar Express will host a two-day photo charter in January featuring steam locomotive No. 148 in a recreation of 1950s-era railroading. The event on Jan. 17-18, 2026, will feature No. 148 — the Alco 4-6-2 built for Florida East Coast in 1920 and sold to U.S. Sugar in 1952 — […]

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LA’s Metrolink sets annual Holiday Express trains

People in pajamas or holiday clothing waiting to board train

LOS ANGELES — Tickets are now on sale — and some are already sold out — for Metrolink’s annual Holiday Express trains, set to operate during three December weekends at sites in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties. The trains feature round trips of approximately 75 minutes, featuring Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, […]

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‘Cameron Christmas Train’ returns to Ohio, Indiana, Michigan

For the second consecutive year, Indiana Northeastern Railroad, Little River Railroad, and the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society will play host to the Cameron Christmas Train, a three-day tour of northeastern Indiana, southeastern Michigan, and western Ohio set for Nov. 20-22 to mark the holiday season and deliver gifts to families along the route. The […]

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Mainline photo charter with Santa Fe No. 2926 announced

A night scene featuring the massive Santa Fe Railway steam engine at the train station in downtown Albuquerque. Mainline photo charter with Santa Fe No. 2926 announced

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico Heritage Rail has announced two photo charters with Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926 to be conducted by Lerro Photography on Oct. 23–25 and Oct. 30–Nov. 1, 2026. The events will take place on 40 miles of mainline track extending north and south of Albuquerque. Two events are scheduled due to […]

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The bridge at Ginger Blue

Two locomotives lead a freight train across a bridge over a muddy river

The newly minted CPKC Railway, a 20,000-mile system combining Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS), sent me to Kansas City in late May 2024 to capture KCS motive power before its identity vanished under the unified railroad’s new paint. Videographers Kevin Gilliam and Mike Noonkester and I spent at day chasing this CPKC […]

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Sunset for a Union Pacific branch line train

Three yellow diesel locomotives roll through green fields at sunset

This Union Pacific branchline  train heads home at sunset near Platte Center, Nebraska on Aug. 22, 1988. The train — the Norfolk local returning to Columbus with a little bit of everything in tow — was a common enough sight at the time. The well-maintained motive power includes three, four-axle locomotives. The lead unit is […]

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Ride the best New England’s railroads with Trains Magazine

A maroon railroad diesel crosses a short timber trestle

Join an editor from Trains Magazine on this fully private car adventure to spend eight days in the colorful fall season exploring the best of New England’s scenic railways and museums. Enjoy incredible adventures on narrow-gauge, cog railways, steam charters, and more! 8 Days, 7 Nights • October 2-9, 2026. Included in the tour: Conway […]

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Join the 2026 Trains tour of the Southwest

Silver and yellow locomotives at the front of a passenger train

2026 Southwestern Rail Adventure Embark on a fully private car journey through the majestic landscapes of the American Southwest, where red rock canyons and desert vistas come alive under endless blue skies. Discover iconic national parks, ancient pueblos, and vibrant local culture as you travel in comfort and style. Experience the spirit of the Southwest […]

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2026 Trains tour of Alaska announced

A pair of yellow and blue diesel locomotives among the fall scenery of Alaska

2026 Alaska by Rail Experience the “last frontier” by rail in the colorful month of September. Enjoy incredible scenery through Denali National Park and down the Kenai Peninsula. 10 Days, 9 Nights September 4-13, 2026 Experience the full length of the Alaska Railroad in Goldstar Class. Kenai Fjords Boat Excursion Denali National Park Excursion For […]

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2026 Trains tour of Colorado announced

Narrow gauge steam locomotive and train under blue skies

2026 Colorado Rockies by Rail tour Experience the rails of the west with our extensive tour exploring the best of Colorado railroads. This red and rocky historic setting provides the perfect backdrop for a specially curated, all-inclusive rail adventure of a lifetime. 7 days, 6 nights, June 2-8, 2026. Private Car Charters on: • Cumbres […]

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