Switzerland’s one-of-a-kind snowplow (with video)

Front of rotary snowplow with yellow blades and red housing

Editors note: For more on the Rhätishe Bahn and its heritage fleet, including Switzerland’s one-of-a-kind snowplow, see the July 2025 issue of Trains Magazine. PONTRESINA, Switzerland — Markus Zaugg, head of rolling stock for the Rhätische Bahn, is leading an informal tour of the railroad’s shop building in the mountain village of Pontresina. The town […]

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Robert Van Camp’s Great Scenic Railway Journey

Cameraman filming steam train from cliff

Since 1994, Great Scenic Railway Journeys (GSRJ) on PBS has captivated viewers tuning in to “see the world from the scenic railroad.” It has catapulted Show Creator, Producer and now Host Robert Van Camp to 20 Emmys and the Program Excellence award from American Public Television. But for the man behind the camera, you see […]

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Mount Washington Cog Railway delays 2025 steam season

steam train going down on steep tracks

MOUNT WASHINGTON, N.H. — The iconic coal-fired steam locomotives of the Mount Washington Cog Railway will see a temporary delay in their 2025 debuts.  A May 12 post on the tourist railroad’s Facebook page states: “Recent pre-season preparations revealed the need for reduced steam pressure in locomotives MW2 and MW9, conditions that would result in […]

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Flying Yankee recognized in state register of historic places

Streamlined passenger train in snow

CONCORD, N.H. — The Flying Yankee has been officially listed in the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, presented by the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources (DHR).  In a press release sent to News Wire by the Flying Yankee Association (FYA), the recognition is seen as an honor to the articulated trainset’s historical […]

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An overview of Steamtown USA

Steam locomotive with Steamtown USA passenger train on bridge

Steamtown National Historic Site, once known as Steamtown USA, has a captivating history. Its journey from one man’s vision in New England to a National Park Service railroad museum in Pennsylvania is marked by highs and lows, attracting both advocates and critics.     The Vision of F. Nelson Blount Francis Nelson Blount Jr. was […]

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News photo: Western Maryland Scenic No. 1309 returns to service

Crew photo in front of steam locomotive

CUMBERLAND, Md. — Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) recently announced that 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 is ready to return to excursion service, beginning May 9. The locomotive was sidelined during the 2024 season for extensive work on the pistons, cylinders, and running gear [see “Western Maryland Scenic No. 1309 nears reassembly,” News Wire, Jan. 22, 2025]. […]

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Restored open air gondola to debut on Woodstown Central

Restored vintage gondola with seats

WOODSTOWN, N.J. — The Woodstown Central Railroad will see another expansion to its excursion fleet, this time in the form of a favorite among tourist railroad circles: the open air car.  Former Lehigh & New England Railroad composite gondola No. 10301 will debut on May 10 as part of the Woodstown Central’s Scenic Rambler between […]

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News photo: Strasburg No. 90 returns in throwback 1990s appearance

Steam locomotives sit on a cloud day

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, […]

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