Iowa interurban

Iowa interurban

Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern freight extra 362 south meets northbound car 72, running as Boone–Fort Dodge train 1, at Hope, Iowa. The freight, powered by an ex-Oregon Electric motor, has backed onto the Rockwell City branch to clear the passenger train in this April 1955 interurban vignette. William D. Middleton photo […]

Read More…

High-nose U25B demonstrator

High-nose U25B demonstrator

General Electric 2504 was one of four red-and-white U25B demonstrator diesels that toured the nation in 1962. One, No. 2501, was the first U25B with a low nose; the others had the high nose that was just then falling from favor. Nos. 2501–2504 went to Union Pacific after their tour. Photo by J. David Ingles […]

Read More…

F units into Alexandria

F units into Alexandria

A three-unit set of dark blue-and-gray Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac F7s brings a northbound freight train into Alexandria, Va., in December 1949. The train is bound for RF&P’s big Potomac Yard, about a mile ahead. Photo by Charles Wales […]

Read More…

Model Railroader Photo of the Day: A front-row seat to railroading

A model railroad layout with multiple trains running in an autumnal setting

Palmer, Mass., gives rail enthusiasts a front-row seat to both regional and shortline railroading. As Southern New England NW2 no. 279 spots a loaded bulkhead flatcar at M&M Lumber Co., Central Vermont RS-11 no. 3603 leads a freight in the background. Lou Sassi took the photo on Jason Fontaine’s HO scale New England-themed model railroad. […]

Read More…

Yooper utility

Yooper utility

Two of the Lake Superior & Ishpeming’s three Alco RS2 road-switchers power one of the railroad’s freight trains. The LS&I, which once stretched 103 miles linking Munising, Marquette, and Ishpeming in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, continues to haul iron ore. A. C. Kalmbach photo […]

Read More…

Model Railroader Photo of the Day: A room with a view

A model railroad layout photographed from inside a hotel window

When railfans travel, they dream of finding a hotel that overlooks the tracks. Ken Kirkwood found such a place in El Roble, Calif., and took this interesting photo of a passing mixed train (freight and passenger) from his hotel room window. Ken, of Yucaipa, Calif., photographed the scene on his freelanced HO scale Ma & […]

Read More…

Coupling up at New Orleans

Coupling up at New Orleans

A carman couples a red-and-orange Alco PA diesel to Southern Pacific’s Argonaut at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal coach yard shortly after NOUPT opened in 1954. Photo by James G. LaVake […]

Read More…

Climbing the Front Range

Climbing the Front Range

Denver & Salt Lake train No. 1, the day train to Craig, rounds a sharp curve in Rollins Canyon just east of Rollinsville, Colo. The D&SL’s low-drivered 2-8-0s like No. 122 were ideal for its route, but not much good for heavier trains. Few lasted long after the 1947 merger with the Denver & Rio […]

Read More…

Branchline oddity

Branchline oddity

On May 12, 1962, Rock Island “motor” 9006 has a typically short train as it heads west with mixed No. 79 near Horton, Kan. The first of the 10 “baggage-car locomotives” left the roster in 1948, and by 1960 only the 9006, 9013, and 9014 remain. Frank Tatnall photo […]

Read More…

Model Railroader Photo of the Day: Horseshoe Curve

A model train with two black locomotives

Horseshoe Curve near Altoona, Pa., was one of many famous locations on the Pennsylvania RR, and Ed Dougherty re-created the scene on his freelanced HO scale PRR Eno Valley Division layout. Here, we see two Fairbanks-Morse CFA-16-4 diesel locomotives leading a manifest freight past the public viewing area. Lou Sassi took the photo. Model Railroader‘s […]

Read More…