Utah group saves Rio Grande diesel switcher

black and yellow unit in grass

SALT LAKE CITY – Southeast Farmers Coop has donated former Denver & Rio Grande Western SW1200 No. 133 to the Promontory Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, according to the Facebook post by Derrick Klarr, Promontory Chapter preservation officer. The South Dakota-based D&I railroad assisted in the donation. Rio Grande No. 133 was built in […]

Read More…

Silvis shop welcomes younger generations

man with hard hat working

SILVIS, Ill. — The stereotype of a worker or volunteer restoring a steam locomotive today is a group of grizzled mechanics of retirement age who recalled steam in their youth, and now want to get their favorite machines back on the road. But that stereotype is crashing down at the Silvis shop of Railroading Heritage […]

Read More…

White Mountain Central returns Climax locomotive to operation

Climax steam locomotive in operation. White Mountain Railroad Climax

LINCOLN, N.H. — White Mountain Central Railroad, operated by Clark’s Bears (formerly Clark’s Trading Post), announced that front power-truck issues, which sidelined its two-truck Climax No. 6 last season have been repaired. The locomotive is scheduled to operate during July and August 2024. No. 6 is one of only four Climax geared locomotives still operating […]

Read More…

Monon heritage locomotive emerges from CSX paint shop

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX has taken the wraps off of its ninth heritage locomotive at the Waycross, Ga., paint shop: No. 1897 representing the Monon. “Here is a sneak peek of our ninth ONE CSX Heritage locomotive … another great job by the team in Waycross,” CEO Joe Hinrichs wrote in a LinkedIn post today. […]

Read More…

Colorado legislature considered extensive rail safety bill

Derailed coal hoppers piled up on highway, with coal on roadway. Colorado rail safety bill

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The state legislature is considering a rail safety bill requiring railroads to be equipped with more safety features, limit the length and weight of trains carrying hazardous materials, and limit the time that trains can block major intersections while passing, according to a story aired by KRDO-TV. The bill’s sponsor, Colorado […]

Read More…

‘Day Out With Thomas’ train rides: Bubble Tour (2024)

thomas the tank engine with bubbles on it

Day Out With Thomas train rides Let’s get … bubbly? You’ve guessed it. This year’s theme is bubbles. As an endearing image for children, the Day Out With Thomas events — licensed by Mattel — have grown nationally and are conducted at many locations throughout the United States. Other countries host these events as well […]

Read More…

From the Cab: Rolling stones

1980s Amtrak train on track

Rolling stones Cresting Sand Patch while witnessing an Allegheny Summit sunrise on the former Baltimore & Ohio was one of the intangible benefits of being the engineer of Amtrak’s Capitol Limited between Washington and Pittsburgh in the late 1980s. Few things are as awe-inspiring, but Mother Nature can also be frighteningly treacherous. The right of […]

Read More…

Mudslide closes Cascades route as Midwest cancellations near end

Passenger train at sunset. Amtrak cancellations mudslide snow

PORTLAND, Ore. — The latest in Amtrak’s series of weather-related operating cancellations in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest — caused by a mudslide, cold, and snow — will extend until at least Tuesday morning, based on information available as of Sunday evening, Jan. 21. A mudslide south of Kelso, Wash., on BNSF Railway’s Amtrak Cascades […]

Read More…

Beyond the byline with Doug Riddell

man in front of giant magazine

What was your first byline in Trains? Doug Riddell: My first byline in Trains appeared in the February 2000 issue: “A dose of perspective” (Readers Platform). I’d just run into a retired Chesapeake & Ohio conductor, Gilly Parker, who shared a story with me. He’d worked passenger service between Richmond and Newport News in the early […]

Read More…