When seeking the cause of a train wreck, investigators sketch out relevant details, such as the starting and ending points of a derailment, the relative position of derailed and standing cars and locomotives, and the surrounding terrain. As a railroad surveyor with Farnsworth Group’s Railroad Services, I provide drawings and descriptions of wrecks, like the […]
Railroad Photographer Richard Steinheimer’s Legacy, Part 2 of 2

Richard Steinheimer TRAINS collection Last week, five members of the Center for Railroad Photography & Art shared their stories of how legendary photographer Richard Steinheimer influenced their work. “Stein,” as he was known, is often called the “Ansel Adams” of railroad photography for his highly original and creative work. Following a long battle with Alzheimer’s, […]
Trains, May 2011
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Amtrak’s 40 years in New England

Connecticut resident Bob LaMay has been photographing Amtrak in his native New England since the carrier turned its first wheel in 1971. We present a small sampling of his work over the decades. For more on Amtrak’s 40th anniversary, pick up the July 2011 issue of Trains magazine, which looks back on the five biggest […]
Amtrak switcher fleet

Amtrak MP15 No. 576 leads a work train across the Northeast Corridor at Newark, Del., on Jan. 19, 2011. Michael S. Murray In the July 2011 issue, we look at Amtrak’s switcher fleet. Here’s a glimpse at where the passenger railroad assigned its switchers in April 2011. […]
Santa Fe boots short line from depot NEWSWIRE

SANTA FE, N.M. — Santa Fe Southern has left the historic Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe depot in the city under duress after 18 years of keeping its headquarters there. The city ordered the railroad out so it can open a visitor’s center to welcome passengers arriving on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. A […]
Headed north on the Southern main line

Norfolk & Western J-Class 4-8-4 No. 611 rolls north on the Southern Railway main line, Aug. 22, 1982 during the engine’s three-day move from its restoration in Birmingham, Ala., to its birthplace in Roanoke, Va. The engine has an eight car train high above the James River. William D. Middleton photo […]
Auxiliary tender and steam generator cars

These two cars at Steamtown National Historical Site look similar but had different uses. Hank Ickes Q In the yard at Steamtown National Historical Site in Scranton, Pa., are two cars that I couldn’t identify. Do you know what purpose these cars had? — Hank Ickes, Arlington, Va. A One is an auxiliary tender or […]
DPU rear markers

Rear-end locomotives on distributed power trains may run with or without flashing rear end devices. Steve Schmollinger Q I see distributed power on BNSF freights inbound into San Diego, and some have flashing rear end devices attached to the coupler at the end locomotives. What are the circumstances for using a FRED on end-of-train locomotives?— […]
Rule “X”
Q While listening to the scanner during bad weather, I heard the Canadian National Rail Traffic Controller remind train crews that Rule “X” was in effect. What is Rule X and who can issue it? — Patrick Lallensack, Green Bay, Wis. A CN’s Rule X governs train operations during and after severe weather. Chief dispatchers […]
Tennessee Pass

The activity level of this track belies its once important status as part of D&RGW’s Tennessee Pass. Michael Humphreys Q In December 2010, I noticed a little-used rail line running through Eagle, Colo. What can you tell me about it? The mainline rail dated from the 1950s. — Michael Humphreys, Berryville, Va. A The tracks […]
The Indiana Hi-Rail’s best and worst of days

Indiana Hi-Rail GP20 No. 203 leads two Alcos and an Evansville-Olney train of empty Consolidated Grain & Barge cars northwest of Griffin, Ind., on Nov. 27, 1993. Scott Muskopf Alco C420 Nos. 334 and 315 sandwich GP7u No. 2097 heading south on the IHR’s Newton line (now abandoned) south of Newton, Ill., on May 29, […]