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Train Topic: History
Video Extra: Union Pacific turbine and diesel action in the 1960s
View three video clips of gas turbines and diesels in action on UP’s Overland Route main line across Wyoming in the 1960s. These clips are from Herron Rail Video’s DVD program “Rails West,” featuring the films of Donald J. Krofta. Diesels and Turbines at Green River Passenger at Laramie Turbine East from Laramie […]
Video Extra: Union Pacific turbine and diesel action in the 1960s
View three video clips of gas turbines and diesels in action on UP’s Overland Route main line across Wyoming in the 1960s. These clips are from Herron Rail Video’s DVD program “Rails West,” featuring the films of Donald J. Krofta. Diesels and Turbines at Green River Passenger at Laramie Turbine East from Laramie […]
Amtrak trains on May 1, 1971
Trains Magazine looks at passenger trains per day across the United States in its May 2010 issue. Our “Map of the Month” compares today’s train volumes with those Amtrak was running on its first day of operation, May 1, 1971, and what was running the day before. Check out the May issue and see which […]
Mainline tonnage of the early 1970s
In the early 1970s, economic growth was transforming the South and West, and Western railroads surpassed Eastern roads in ton-miles carried for the first time in 1971. Traffic declines in the East heped trigger a rash of bankruptcies, which spurred Congress to commission detailed studies of railroad lines and operations. The results warned that, absent […]
History according to Hediger 10
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader Senior Editor Jim Hediger shares a vintage story about a practical joke involving former Associate Editor Gordy Odegard, former Editor and Publisher Russ Larson, and a rather complicated oscilloscope kit. You’ll also see photos of the staff and the Model Railroader […]
History according to Hediger 10
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader Senior Editor Jim Hediger shares a vintage story about a practical joke involving former Associate Editor Gordy Odegard, former Editor and Publisher Russ Larson, and a rather complicated oscilloscope kit. You’ll also see photos of the staff and the Model Railroader […]
Railfans make a difference on Helmstetter’s Curve
John Helmstetter receives a ceremonial check for $40,001 on Nov. 9, 2009. From left to right: Frank Fowler of Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, John Helmstetter, trip promoter Carl Franz, trip promoter Bill Larduskey, and Steve Barry of Railfan & Railroad. Jim Larduskey John Helmstetter’s cattle watch their new home taking shape, as more than 120 […]
Existing roundhouses
Take a look at our list of roundhouses that still exist in 2010. Are we missing one? If so, click here. […]
The great American roundhouse
American roundhouse Roundhouses were found all across the nation once. Now they’re rare gems. These structures began disappearing after the dieselization era. Only a few were left in use by some railroads. Many were eventually demolished or repurposed. Here’s a gallery of them under construction, in use, and after the wrecking ball. […]
K-28 Mikados: An engineman’s view
Durango & Silverton crew favorite 473 turns a photographers’ special on the Silverton wye during Railfest in August 2009. Her big plow was useful in fighting snow four months later. Robert S. McGonigal Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad engineer Jarrette Ireland assesses the K-28 Mikados:There are many reasons why I personally enjoy the K-28’s, […]
Last Class 1 steam runs: Why isn’t my favorite railroad covered?
Lloyd Stagner’s book AMERICAN STEAM FINALE, 1954-1970 (South Platte Press, 2001; www.southplattepress.com) is the definitive resource on the end of steam on U.S. Class 1’s and short lines. In “Just Who Was First to Dieselize,” in Diesel Victory (2006), we mentioned 17 U.S. Class 1 railroads that dieselized early. To qualify for the list, the […]
