T1 Trust shows frame and drivers; K4s 1361 tender painted

Steam engine wheels and frame on truck trailer

ALTOONA, Pa. — Milestones of progress on two Pennsylvania Railroad steam-locomotive projects were unveiled at last week’s 56th annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society. The Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Steam Locomotive Trust brought the frame and four drivers for its 21st-century recreation of the PRR T1 class of 100-mph streamlined 4-4-4-4 passenger […]

Read More…

Burlington’s other Zephyrs deserve a spotlight

Burlington Route Houston Zephyr

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, commonly known as the Burlington Route, had many other Zephyrs. While not as prestigious as the Pioneer, Twin Cities, Mark Twain, Denver and California Zephyrs, these other streamlined trainsets and services, famously named after the Greek God of the West Wind, deserve a spotlight.   Sam Houston Zephyr Fort […]

Read More…

Rock Island passenger trains remembered

A red train approaching an intersection

Rock Island passenger trains: All through May 2024, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history and heritage of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. Please enjoy this photo gallery of Rock Island passenger trains, originally published online in July 2017. […]

Read More…

Crumple zone

20190516

Rio Grande F7 No. 5661 struck a standing train at Thistle, Utah, on Dec. 19, 1963. Much of the impact energy was released just behind the cab, which remains intact. James H. Karle photo […]

Read More…

Broadway Limited N scale EMD F3

Title screen of Broadway Limited Imports N scale F3A-B Product Review video.

Welcome to our latest Product Review video. This time around, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a look at the Broadway Limited N scale EMD F3. In the video, you’ll learn about the Lehigh Valley prototypes our samples are decorated as, get a closer look at the details on both units, see and hear […]

Read More…

Rock Island history remembered

Red-and-black diesel locomotive of Rock Island history

Rock Island history is a mighty good history. In 1847 the Rock Island & La Salle Rail Road was chartered to build between Rock Island, Ill., on the Mississippi River, and La Salle, where connections would be made with the Illinois & Michigan Canal to Chicago. Contractor Henry Farnam persuaded the organizers to extend the […]

Read More…

Broadway Limited N scale EMD F3

Title screen of Broadway Limited Imports N scale F3A-B Product Review video.

Welcome to our latest Product Review video. This time around, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno takes a look at the Broadway Limited N scale EMD F3. In the video, you’ll learn about the Lehigh Valley prototypes our samples are decorated as, get a closer look at the details on both units, see and hear […]

Read More…

1954

20190520

The year and locomotive number are the same – 1954 – as one of Louisville & Nashville’s big M-1-class “Big Emma” 2-8-4s leads an Atlanta-bound freight out of Decoursey Yard in Kentucky, a few miles south of Cincinnati. Louisville & Nashville photo […]

Read More…

PRR T1 Trust to hold open house for its new-build 4-4-4-4 frame

ALTOONA, Pa. — A series of events, including a public open house, will be held next weekend to show the progress on building a 21st-century recreation of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s T1-class 4-4-4-4 streamlined steam locomotive. The nonprofit Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Steam Locomotive Trust will display its 64-foot-long, 35-ton fabricated frame at the Blair County Convention […]

Read More…

The 2-8-2 Mikado-type steam locomotive

Steam locomotive standing in rail yard

Versatility is a single word that sums up the Mikado-type steam locomotive. This 2-8-2 wheel arrangement became the “one size fits all” in terms of mass usage across North America’s railroads. When it also came to bridging the gap in advanced steam technology at the turn of the 20th century, this locomotive type delivered.   […]

Read More…

Latest CSX heritage locomotive wears Pere Marquette passenger livery

Pere Marquette is the newest heritage unit to join the growing CSX fleet of locomotives honoring its predecessor railroads. “Here is our latest CSX Heritage Locomotive celebrating the Pere Marquette line,” CEO Joe Hinrichs wrote on LinkedIn Monday night. “Locomotive #1899 represents the three Michigan-based railroads that merged to form the Pere Marquette to serve […]

Read More…