Backdating the East Broad Top: how much is too much?

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — With rehabilitation and restoration of the East Broad Top Railroad under way, the EBT Foundation staff is beginning to deal with the issue of backdating. How far and how much should it change in order to give the property the appearance of its common-carrier days (1870s-1956)? A recent trip through Rockhill […]

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On30 Marshfield & Old Colony

Home/How To/Track Plan Database/On30 Marshfield & Old Colony submit to redditShare2 FROM THE JULY 2020 ISSUE On30 Marshfield & Old Colony

The layout at a glance Name: Marshfield & Old Colony Layout owner: Michael Tylick Scale: On30 (1:48 proportion on 30″ gauge track) Size: 8 x 16 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island Era: 1920s and 1930s Mainline run: 25 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: handlaid, approximately no. 4 Maximum grade: 2 […]

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New England’s Pan Am Railways for sale

a train crossing a river on a bridge

BILLERICA, Mass. — New England regional Pan Am Railways is for sale. The privately held company, owned by 78-year-old Tim Mellon and other investors, has enlisted BMO Financial Group to assist with a potential sale transaction, according to multiple railroad industry sources. Pan Am officials did not respond to a request for comment. Industry observers […]

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SEPTA, NJ Transit, Metro Transit announce service increases

Diesel-powered commuter train approaches station

Thursday morning rail news in brief: SEPTA to increase Regional Rail service starting Sunday The Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will increase Regional Rail service on most lines as of Sunday, June 28, to reflect increasing activity in the Philadelphia area after COVID-19 closures. Weekday hourly service will return on most lines as of Monday, July […]

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Remembering the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway

In historic TH&B turf, against the backdrop of Lake Ontario and amid the vineyards at aptly named Vinemount, Ontario, Geeps 76 and 77 roll the Port Maitland local east on March 29, 1982. Greg McDonnell History of the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Canada, thanks to its two transcontinental giants after 1923, had few small “regional” […]

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Unintended clearance test

Modified for trailer-on-flatcar service as a test by Penn Central, a former Flexi-Van car carried trailers back-to-back.

  At the time of their merger in 1968, both the Pennsylvania and New York Central had extensive intermodal operations, with PRR using conventional Trailer Train cars in piggyback service and NYC using Flexi-Van equipment in an early form of containerized traffic. Penn Central retained both systems initially, but Flexi-Van traffic gradually declined. By late […]

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Remembering Texas & Pacific Railway locomotives

A locomotive fastly moving by with black smoke coming out of its chimney

Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and lore of famed (and infamous) railroads. In June 2020, we celebrate the Texas & Pacific Railway. Please enjoy a collection of locomotive images located in the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include the T&P’s iconic locomotives and classic scenic photos. You might […]

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Metro-North conductors sue, claiming health risk from crowded trains

Electric multiple unit trainset with red front stops at station

Friday midday rail news in brief: Metro-North conductors sue over crowded trains Conductors have filed suit against Metro-North, saying their health is at risk because of increasingly crowded trains increase the possibility of contracting COVID-19. The Poughkeepsie Journal reports the suit was filed Thursday in federal court by the chairman of the Association of Commuter Rail […]

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