BARABOO, Wis. — The non-profit Lake States Railway Historical Association has announced presenters for its expanded Railroad History Symposium to be held April 12 in Baraboo. The symposium is the largest fundraising event of the year for LSRHA. Changes this year include moving the event to the Al Ringling Theatre in Baraboo, built in 1915 […]
NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The Mid-Continent Railway Museum has launched a fundraising effort to return its celebrated steam locomotive, Chicago & North Western 4-6-0 No. 1385, to the museum to continue the effort to restore the 1907 Alco to operation. The locomotive, out of service for more than a quarter-century and away from the museum […]
In every issue News, p. 4 G&W’s CEO says the rail industry needs to innovate; Amtrak launches Floridian Bill Stephens, p. 8 What will happen if railroads can’t grow? John Hankey, p. 10 When disaster strikes, are railroads obligated to help the communities they serve? Brian Solomon, p. 48 Changing trains is an opportunity for […]
Invisible Giants — inside the Van Sweringen brothers empire Railroading is a multi-faceted industry. Depending on your interest or the discussion at hand, the relationship between different facets will be emphasized. For this discussion, let’s simplify railroading into two dimensions. There is the steel wheel meeting the rail — what can be viewed trackside. The […]
Growing up, the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City has been Braden Brickman’s avocation. It’s now his vocation as the 23-year-old is employed as the restoration specialist to not only oversee said restorations, but also the maintenance and operation of the museum’s railroad and historic equipment. How did you get involved in rail preservation? […]
CUMBERLAND, Md. — Public TV series Great Scenic Railway Journeys has joined with the restoration effort for Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 2-8-0 No. 734, launching a $10,000 donation-match program for the restoration project. The program is offering a dollar-for-dollar match up to $10,000 for the effort to return the locomotive to operating condition. The 2-8-0, […]
A stray New Haven RR FL9 didn’t add up when the commuter locomotive encountered a Seaboard System equipment detector. When I entered engine service on the Seaboard Coast Line in 1979, the railroad was replacing many of its first generation locomotives, mostly aging Alcos and Electro-Motive Division road switchers. These locomotives had been ideally suited […]
CHESTERTON, Ind. — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District board has agreed to commit $6 million in capital funding for the new South Shore Line route to the South Bend, Ind., airport. Approval came at a board meeting on Monday, Jan. 27, WBAA radio reports. The long-discussed project was also the subject of an open-house […]
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The photo and film collection of the late rail photographer and author Michael A. Eagleston has been donated to the Industrial Archives & Library, a private nonprofit foundation in Bethelem. The Eagleson collection spans more than 60 years and helps document the end of the steam locomotive in the U.S. and worldwide. […]
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the organization that serves as the heritage rail line’s museum arm, has hired Rick Marsden as its new executive director. The Friends board announced the move Jan. 24. The hiring is effective Feb. 13. Marsden will replace Tim Tennant, retiring after 20 years […]
BOONTON, N.J. – Construction work in Amtrak’s East River Tunnels will indefinitely sideline the United Railroad Historical Society’s Hudson River Rail Excursions after trips scheduled for February and March with the group’s former New York Central lounge cars. The historical society will operate “Farewell (For Now) Excursions” from New York Penn Station to Albany-Rensselaer, N.Y., […]
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An Alaska museum and city, with help from donors including the Alaska Railroad, have won the auction for a 14-karat gold spike that was part of the railroad’s completion ceremony in 1923. The Anchorage Museum and city of Nenana will take turns displaying the spike, which was purchased for $201,600, according to […]
