[…]
Footnote from the steam to diesel transition
Type of Train: Steam Locomotive
News photo: Strasburg No. 90 returns in throwback 1990s appearance
STRASBURG, Pa. — The Strasburg Rail Road wasted no time unleashing its workhorse, 2-10-0 No. 90 back onto the tourist railroad’s main line through the Amish countryside. The locomotive began 45-minute excursion runs by early April, mechanically fresh from a federally mandated 1,472-day boiler inspection that began in early 2024. Cosmetically, the gold numbers, lettering, […]
Diesel and steam on the L&N
Louisville & Nashville RS3 150 passes “Big Emma” 2-8-4 1980 at Baileys, Ky., in July 1954. The Berkshire will couple to the rear of the RS3’s freight for the climb over Emanuel Hill. W. A. Akin Jr. photo […]
The Roundhouse | Classic Trains Magazine Origin Story
This reboot of The Roundhouse, an on-camera interview series established in 2013, welcomes host Brian Schmidt, Editor of Classic Trains Magazine, and guest Rob McGonigal, former (retired) Editor of Classic Trains Magazine, back to the roundtable. Just as the Summer 2025 issue of the now 25-year-old periodical is set for publication, Brian and Rob sit […]
Fundraiser on Ohio Rail Experience diesel excursion to benefit Reading T-1 restoration
WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — Reading Co. T-1 No. 2100 is nearing the finish line of its restoration at the hands of the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association (ASR). As part of the fundraising efforts to complete the project, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has partnered with the Cincinnati Scenic Railway (CSR) to offer 50 benefit […]
Class A power
A massive Norfolk & Western class A 2-6-6-4 dwarfs workers in the road’s yard at Roanoke, Va., in 1954. W. A. Akin Jr. photo […]
Big engine with a little number on a little road
Lehigh & Hudson River 4-8-2 No. 11 was one of three such engines built by Baldwin in 1944 for the 90-mile road. Because of wartime restrictions, they were duplicates of a batch of Boston & Maine engines delivered in 1941. Classic Trains coll. […]
Berkshire blast-off
Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 750 gets under way at Bellevue, Ohio, with a westbound freight in September 1955. Philip R. Hastings photo […]
C&NW No. 1385 return to Mid-Continent museum postponed
NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The move, scheduled to begin May 5, bringing Chicago & North Western 4-6-0 No. 1385 back to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum has been postponed, says Jeffrey Lentz, museum office manager. A statement from the museum indicates that the trucking firm slated to handle the road move withdrew its services “on short […]
Woodstown Central steam locomotive sidelined (updated)
WOODSTOWN, N.J. — Woodstown Central Railroad steam locomotive No. 9, an Alco 0-6-0, suffered an overheated journal on its central axle during the 12 p.m. excursion on April 18. The railroad’s mechanical team determined the damage was beyond in-house repair capabilities at its South Woodstown, N.J., shop. The wheelset has been removed for repairs at […]
Illinois Railway Museum’s Frisco 2-10-0 sidelined
UNION, Ill. — A “mechanical issue” discovered during preparations for the 2025 season has led the Illinois Railway Museum to remove its Frisco 2-10-0, No. 1630, from service, IRM has announced. The museum will now begin the locomotive’s federally mandated 1,472-day inspection earlier than anticipated to address repairs and a return to service. The inspection […]
Identifying a Pennsylvania RR steam engine
Q: I need help identifying a specific Pennsylvania RR steam engine. The number on the cab was 1299. What class was this locomotive? I have a picture of me as a boy looking out the fireman’s window and want to model the engine in HO scale. — John Nagle A: Thanks for writing in and […]
