At 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 20, 1948, specially cleaned and inspected Union Pacific 4-8-4 No. 835 eases President Harry S. Truman’s campaign train into Denver Union Station. Elmer Treolar photo […]
Truman campaign train at Denver
Zone & Region: Mountain West
Black Hills Central | Steam in the heart of South Dakota
In the shadows of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota, you can find one of America’s oldest tourist railroads. Welcome to the Black Hills Central Railroad (BHC). Operating between Hill City and Keystone, S.D., tourists can ride behind articulated steam locomotives over some of the steepest grades in the country. As highlighted in the August […]
Union Pacific No. 4014 | Big Boy trip to the ballpark
In June 2023, Union Pacific’s No. 4014 “Big Boy”, a 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive, ventured out from Cheyenne, Wyo., to Omaha, Neb., for a display date at the 2023 College [Baseball] World Series. While any big steam run is noteworthy in this day and age, it was the routing that made this especially appealing. Instead of […]
Big Boy Men: The genius behind a steam legend
The Big Boy Men William M. Jeffers, Union Pacific Railroad president, and Otto Jabelmann, vice president — research and mechanical standards, began their careers in the lowest ranking positions. Both men were known for their tempers and a belief that the only way to get a job done was to do it with their own […]
UP Museum holds auction for Big Boy cab ride
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — The Union Pacific Museum is auctioning the opportunity for one person to ride in the cap of Big Boy No. 4014 on Monday, July 3, from Pine Bluff, Wyo., to the UP Steam Shop in Cheyenne. The auction is being held in lieu of a passenger excursion fundraiser for the museum. […]
Great American Steam Locomotives: Geared and Logging DVD Trailer
Great American Steam Locomotives: Geared and Logging DVD | 16128 Geared engines were some of the most unique steam locomotives ever built. They were designed to go into the woods, over very steep gradesand questionable track to bring logs or coal out to either a mill or an interchange with a mainline. Join Trains magazine in […]
The Lionel Legacy 2-6-0 makes a comeback
The Lionel Legacy 2-6-0 “Mogul” type locomotive graced the company’s 2022 Vol. 2 catalog. It’s a welcome re-release as the previous 2016 models were struck with gearing issues. These caused many of them to run poorly at slow speeds. Many were returned to Lionel and never made it to the the second-hand market. This new […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Changing Weather
While the landscape of the American West remains constant and wild, the weather under Big Skies is forever changing…and frequently challenging the men, women, and machines working along steel rails. From a safe, temperature-controlled environment, enjoy a closer look at the perils and pure, natural beauty railfan Tom Danneman captured for Big Skies & Iron Rails […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Changing Weather
While the landscape of the American West remains constant and wild, the weather under Big Skies is forever changing…and frequently challenging the men, women, and machines working along steel rails. From a safe, temperature-controlled environment, enjoy a closer look at the perils and pure, natural beauty railfan Tom Danneman captured for Big Skies & Iron Rails […]
Memorial weekend disruptions: Zephyrs detour or are cut short because of washouts
CHICAGO — Some Amtrak long-distance and regional trains outside the Northeast Corridor experienced rare detours and extraordinary delays prior to and during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. On most routes, though, trains were operating on time as a result of lighter freight traffic. California Zephyrs rerouted Early Saturday, May 27, a washout on BNSF Railway’s […]
UP diesel and steam in Idaho
In the early 1950s, Union Pacific F3 units in A-B-B formation lead freight train 257 west up the nearly 2 percent grade to Reverse, Idaho, on the road’s main line to Portland, Ore.; 107 cars to the rear, two 2-8-8-0s assist the diesels. Henry R. Griffiths Jr. photo […]
Great American Steam Locomotives: Articulateds DVD Trailer
Great American Steam Locomotives: Articulateds DVD | 16126 The Articulateds are the largest steam locomotives ever built. Starting as slow speed monsters hauling heavy trains over mountain ridges, they became a regular feature of many of the largest Class 1 railroads, handling everything from slow drag freights, to fast time freights, and even were able […]
