Trains Magazine · Conversations with Brian Solomon, Episode 39 Railroad author and photographer Brian Solomon produces this exclusive biweekly podcast for Trains Magazine. You can catch his column monthly in the magazine or his daily railroad photography blog at briansolomon.com/trackingthelight. Conversations with Brian Solomon, Episode 38 We’re back on the railfan track this week with […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Erie Lackawanna SDP45 to leave Virginia for Ohio NEWSWIRE
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Youngstown Steel Heritage Foundation has reached an agreement with the Virginia Museum of Transportation to purchase Erie Lackawanna SDP45 No. 3639, currently painted as Conrail No. 6670, and located in Roanoke, Va. The foundation has initiated a fundraising drive, Extra 3693 North, with an initial goal of $20,000 to purchase and […]
Why long hood vs. short?
Although this CNJ RS3 had dual engineer controls, the “F” defines the leading end for hand or radio signals. Bert Pennypacker Q When diesels replaced steam locomotives, early cab units had snub noses with good front visibility for the engineer. When hood units appeared, some railroads set them up to run short hood forward and […]
Analysis: Amtrak, stakeholders clarify positions on ‘Southwest Chief,’ PTC
BNSF’s Rich Wessler, left, and Amtrak’s Joe McHugh address stakeholders assembled on the first inspection train of the Chief route, west of Garden City, Kan., on Jan. 10, 2013. Bob Johnston LA JUNTA, Colo. — Following the Aug. 21 meeting between Amtrak officials and Southwest Chief stakeholders in Raton, N.M. — which provided the first […]
BNSF fire train stands ready to battle Montana wildfires NEWSWIRE
Water is crucial to any firefighting effort. BNSF carries it on flatcars and in tank cars. Two photos, Justin Franz WHITEFISH, Mont. – At the west end of BNSF Railway’s yard in Whitefish sit seven maintenance-of-way cars. The uninformed observer might not think much about the mix of tank cars and bulkhead flats, but the […]
Chicago Union Station ‘abomination’ scrapped NEWSWIRE
One view of the former plan to redevelop Chicago Union Station — now scrapped due to negative public input. Riverside Investment & Development via Amtrak CHICAGO — A plan to remake historic Chicago Union Station by topping it off with a modern glass-and-steel box that some critics described as “an abomination” has been scrapped, according […]
Fort Wayne’s Headwaters Junction project moves forward NEWSWIRE
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A decade-long vision for a permanent and interactive home for Nickel Plate Road No. 765 is moving forward after local officials say development plans for the Headwaters Junction project were the only proposals submitted to the city in a recent request. The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society confirms with Trains News […]
Soo Line 2-8-0 headed to Michigan and a return to steam NEWSWIRE
Soo Line No. 2425 will be relocated from Minnesota to Michigan for restoration. Erik Thompson collection CHISAGO CITY, Minn. — Minnesota’s Ironhorse Railroad Park has sold former Soo Line 2-8-0 No. 2425 to Mineral Range Inc., operator of the Mineral Range Railroad in Ishpeming, Mich. The locomotive has been stored at the museum since its […]
PTC timeline: How did we get here?
Metra commuter and Norfolk Southern freight trains meet at tower A2 northwest of Union Station. Steve Sweeney Trains tracks the evolution of positive train control technology from the 1980s to present! August 1985 – Burlington Northern executives approve testing a PTC prototype system, ARES, in Minnesota’s Iron Range. May 1, 2007 – U.S. Rep. James […]
Contract let for Boston & Maine 3713 firebox at Steamtown NEWSWIRE
Original and replica cabs for Boston & Maine 3713 meet at Steamtown on Aug. 30, 2018. Steamtown NPS SCRANTON, Pa. — After more than two decades of false starts and delays, the restoration of Boston & Maine 4-6-2 No. 3713 at Steamtown National Historic Site has picked up speed and this week reached two major […]
Despite revised plans, Metra still to benefit from Volkswagen settlement NEWSWIRE
An inbound Metra train pushed by F40PHM-2 No. 212 smokes away from the Naperville, Ill., station while Amtrak’s Illinois Zephyr prepares to depart behind a new Siemens Charger locomotive. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — While Illinois plans for spending money from the Volkswagen legal settlement have changed, Metra’s locomotive fleet will still benefit. The original […]
Quincy & Torch Lake locomotive gets cosmetic restoration NEWSWIRE
Quincy & Torch Lake No. 6 after restoration in Michigan. Q&TL Facebook page HANCOCK, Mich. — An elderly narrow gauge locomotive last operated just after World War II has been cosmetically restored by volunteers. No. 6 of the Quincy & Torch Lake Railroad, a 1912 Baldwin outside frame 2-8-0, ran on the six-mile railroad hauling […]
