History of the Baldwin classification system The Baldwin classification system originated in 1842, when Asa Whitney was a partner of M.W. Baldwin and continued in use until 1938. The system was based on use of a letter to designate the number of pairs of driving wheels on a steam locomotive. The letter A designated a […]
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District recently agreed to lease surplus gallery cars from Metra’s Electric District to meet the South Shore Line’s expanded service plans once its Double Track and West Lake extension projects are complete. [See “Digest: South Shore to lease gallery cars …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 26, 2021]. In the wake of that decision, […]
Still more Tuesday morning rail news: News report says Oregon’s WES commuter rail now costs $108 per passenger to operate Portland, Ore.,-area commuter rail operation Westside Express Service, with already low ridership hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, now costs nearly $108 per passenger to operate — more than 10 times the figures for transit […]
All through January 2021, Classic Trains is celebrating the majestic and mystique of the New York Central. Please enjoy this photo gallery of NYC locomotives selected from the David P. Morgan Library at Kalmbach Media. Only from Classic Trains! […]
The Nashville Garden Railway Society welcomes you to Nashville to attend the 36th National Garden Railway Convention! Nashville is a one-of-a-kind city that has something for everyone. High-tech meets small town, family values meets big business, country music meets symphony orchestra, micro-brewery meets vineyard. It’s all here! The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center […]
Tuesday morning rail news: South Shore to lease cars from Metra to handle planned service increase The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District will lease 26 bilevel gallery cars from Metra to handle the increased South Shore Line commuter service planned under the Double Track and West Lake Corridor expansion projects. The Times of Northwest Indiana […]
The Pennsylvania Railroad is famed for its GG1 electric locomotives, but casual observers might be surprised to learn how extensive Pennsy’s electric operations were. After a tentative start with a limited D.C. third-rail system in the early 1900s, the PRR built an A.C. catenary empire between 1915 and 1938 — and fielded an impressive array […]
Over time, a locomotive’s wheelsets will gather dirt and other gunk that will affect its ability to run smoothly, but regular wheel cleaning keeps your steam or diesel locomotives running at their peak. By using 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and a paper towel, two items that you most likely have in your house, you can […]
Metro-North set to buy 27 dual-mode locomotives from Siemens The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a $334.9 million contract for Siemens to build 27 dual-mode locomotives for the Metro-North Railroad. A document in the board package for Wednesday’s meeting says the purchase, an order for 19 locomotives with exercise of […]
BERLIN — In Germany. where the world’s first hydrogen powered train entered service in 2018, the new propulsion technology has not resulted in large contracts for new trains, although some have been ordered. Almost every European country has signed up to remove diesel-powered trains by 2050 to lower future carbon emissions. Some are aiming to […]
Electro-Motive Division GP38 and GP40 diesel locomotives. New numbers. GP38: Norfolk Southern (thoroughbred scheme, two numbers) and RJ Corman (red, silver, and white scheme). GP40: Baltimore & Ohio (blue and yellow) and Southern Pacific (speed lettering). New paint schemes. GP38: Conrail (American Revolution Bicentennial scheme in one road number, blue with white sill stripe in […]
Also in this issue: INTRODUCING FFAMILIES AND ELECTRIC TRAINS, pg. 7 A special publication to capture the essence of our hobby FOUR HOBBYISTS REMEMBER PLAYING TRAINS WITH THEIR DADS, pg. 88 […]
