EDITOR’S NOTE: Trains readers aren’t the only ones to wonder about happenings in the railroad world. Trains editors and friends recently shared an email discussion about why two Class I railroads near Trains’ headquarters removed a connection at a diamond crossover. Here’s a condensed, edited version of the best explanation we’ve seen: A: I would […]
Section: Railroads
Ask Trains: Why do EOTs only flash at night?
EOTs — end-of-train device Q: In track side watching and in videos, I note that end-of-train devices only flash at night. Why is this? — William Carpenter West Chester Township, Ohio The Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) rulebook used by most northeastern railroads states that each train occupying a main track or controlled siding […]
Trains Presents: Illinois F unit finale
Follow along for one last chase of the Keokuk Junction F units in western Illinois before their removal from service in early August 2019. Trains‘ videographer Kevin Gilliam follows the train through the agricultural landscape of the region to document another era lost in U.S. railroading. […]
Railfan Stories
Download this free 29-page PDF to enjoy five stories about a variety of railroad yards and engine terminals. Inside you’ll read first-hand stories about a day at the Kansas City, Brookfield, Illinois, Bolton, Vermont, North Philadelphia, and Marion, Ohio railroad yard. […]
“Let us ride your bikes, we’ll let you shovel coal”
A Camelback switcher like Lehigh Valley 3421, pictured at Jersey City in 1939, was a powerful magnet for a couple of young boys. Stanley D. Crews My buddy Mike and I were sitting on our bikes at a Lehigh Valley yard in northern New Jersey one day in 1950. We had our eyes on a […]
Big Boy’s Great Midwest Tour: Wisconsin Part 1
Join Trains for Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014’s Great Midwest Tour. This video is from Clyman Junction, Wis., where Big Boy passed right under an increasingly scarce piece of railroad architecture: the once ubiquitous coaling tower. […]
Ask Trains: How do I submit a question to Ask Trains?
Q: I want to submit a question and photograph to Ask Trains. How do I do that? I can’t find a way to submit a photo. — Matt Jackson, Durham, N.C. A: The best way to submit a question and a photo to Ask Trains is by email. The email address is AskTrains@TrainsMag.com. We only […]
Ask Trains: What are the best sources of information on railroads in Africa?
The Rovos Rail luxury passenger train stopped at Plumtree, Zimbabwe, in July 2010 while passengers were undergoing immigration checks. This National Railways of Zimbabwe train was en route from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, to Capetown, South Africa, a 16-day journey. The power for this train was Sheltam Corp. General Electric U30-EMP No. 3020, a 42-inch […]
Ask Trains: Why do railroads create heritage locomotives?
Union Pacific SD70ACe No. 4141 letter for former President George H. W. Bush led Bush’s funeral train from Houston to College Station, Texas, in Dec. 2018. 18345-3 Bradley Bates Q: Painting locomotives is expensive. I’m curious to know why railroads would spend this kind of money painting heritage units? — David Berg, Minneapolis, Minn. A: […]
Big Boy’s Great Midwest Tour: Duluth
Follow along with Trains Editor Jim Wrinn in this fourth compilation video from Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014’s Great Midwest Tour. This video focuses on Big Boy’s trek through Minnesota on its way to Duluth, Minn. […]
Something borrowed
With H12-44 No. 100 in the shop for repairs, Sandersville Railroad borrowed a Southern Railway F3, No. 6804, to run with SW1200 No. 200. The duo is at Tennille, Ga., on Dec. 24, 1965. The railroad is known for hauling kaolin clay, which is used in porcelain and paper coatings. Jack Parker photo […]
Springfield in spring
Illinois Central train No. 22, the Green Diamond, led by E7 No. 4016, rolls north from Springfield, Ill., headed for Chicago on May 7, 1966. Thomas Hoffmann photo […]
