Thomas’ newest friend is an Aussie 4-8-4 NEWSWIRE

520throMtBarkerJCT1994

South Australian Railways No. 520, a 4-8-4 Northern-type 520-class steam locomotive traverses track in Australia in 1994. Toy-maker Mattel is introducing “Shane,” a new friend of Thomas the Tank Engine, based on the locomotive. Courtesy: Peter Michalak MOUNT BAKER, Australia — More promotional pictures released by Mattel reveal that one of the new characters soon […]

Read More…

VIA sets new rules for ‘Park’ car access NEWSWIRE

YohoPark

‘Yoho Park’ brings up the markers on the eastbound ‘Canadian’ at Fenwood, Saskachewan, in December 2012. Thomas R. Schultz TORONTO – In an apparent effort to mediate access to its popular Park-series observation cars on its famed Canadian, VIA Rail Canada has announced new rules for passengers traveling in two sleeping-car classes. Travelers in Prestige […]

Read More…

Color coordination

  A loaded crude oil train with BNSF Railway power passes a line of matching orange trees on Norfolk Southern’s Chicago Line near Otis, Ind., on Oct. 20, 2014. Photo by Brian Schmidt […]

Read More…

Colorado’s scenic tourist lines

ColoradoMoM

Railroads included in this map: Manitou & Pike’s Peak; San Luis & Rio Grande; Denver & Rio Grande; Cumbres & Toltec Scenic; Leadville, Colorado & Southern; Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge; Royal Gorge Route This map originally appeared in the May 2013 issue of Trains Magazine. Be sure to check out our Colorado Railroads special […]

Read More…

A new short line to savor NEWSWIRE

PSAPOBphoto

A Puget Sound & Pacific locomotive working for the recently created Olympia & Belmore Railroad in and around Olympia, Wash. Miguel Guzman OLYMPIA, Wash. — Make way for the Pacific Northwest’s newest short line: the Olympia & Belmore. The new operation was possible after G&W signed a lease agreement with BNSF Railway to operate the […]

Read More…

R.J. Corman’s ‘new’ Baldwin NEWSWIRE

RJCormanred

Former Texas South-Eastern No. 301 in R.J. Corman colors in Diboll, Texas, on Monday, April 4. Mike Harbour Texas’ Mike Harbour heard rumors that R.J. Corman was about to do a nice thing for a member of an older generation. Turns out, he heard right and arranged to meet up with a vintage Baldwin formerly […]

Read More…

Two signals ‘wigwag’ their last in Wisconsin NEWSWIRE

Baraboo_MG_9559

Wigwag signals protect a highway crossing in Baraboo, Wis., for the last time on Monday, March 28. When a Wisconsin & Southern train passed the crossing the next day, the signals were inactive. Crews took down the signals later that day on March 29. John Gruber A pair of rare, former Chicago & North Western […]

Read More…

Salad shooter

  CSX train Q091, operated for refrigerated logistics provider Railex, passes Deshler, Ohio, on June 14, 2014. The dedicated reefer train is known as the “salad shooter” to many local railfans. Photo by Brian Schmidt […]

Read More…