Railfans festoon the caboose roofs and crowd the Alco diesel switcher’s cab during an excursion on the Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville in 1950. Edward Theisinger photo […]
Shortline railfan special
Train Topic: Railfanning
Fort Wayne organization acquires two PRR passenger cars
NEW HAVEN, Ind. — The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has acquired two Pennsylvania Railroad passenger cars from the Washington, D.C., chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. The cars will be used to support the Indiana Rail Experience, a series of excursions with the society’s steam locomotive, Nickel Plate Road No. 765 [see “Indiana […]
Bicentennial Santa Fe locomotive to be displayed in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Santa Fe No. 5704, the SD45-2 locomotive cosmetically restored to its bicentennial paint scheme, will be displayed at Union Station Kansas City June 14-19 to coincide with the convention of the Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society on those dates in Overland Park, Kan. The locomotive, which has been donated […]
Museum of Industrial History, Reading & Northern plan July RDC excursion
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The National Museum of Industrial History and Reading & Northern Railroad are partnering for a July excursion by Budd Rail Diesel Car, featuring the first visit by an excursion train to Tremont, Pa., in more than two decades. The July 29 trip, departing from Outer Station in Reading, Pa., at 9 a.m., […]
Railfan and train-watching safety
Railfan and train-watching safety is key to any successful train-watching trip, whether it be a block away from home or a continent away. One must have situational awareness. Taking the time to know your surroundings, what looks right, what doesn’t look right is essential to ensure you have a great trackside experience. Historically speaking, rail […]
NYC subway ‘nostalgia rides’ return
NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s New York Transit Museum is offering true trips into the past, bringing back vintage subway car rides after a two-year, pandemic-related absence. Three “Nostalgia Ride” trips are scheduled, featuring rides on routes of the MTA’s three predecessor lines, some of the on the exact lines those subway systems […]
Railfan first aid kits
Railfan first aid kits might be the furthest thing from your mind when planning a train-themed outing. One, however, might be among the most important — if you have a minor injury or a mild medical reaction to something you come across in the field. Trains.com exchanged questions via email with Robert W. Scott, Operations […]
East Broad Top team brings history to life: Analysis
When East Broad Top General Manager Brad Esposito was cleaning up rock salt in a shed at the railroad’s shop complex last year, he didn’t bat an eye when he realized he was standing on wooden crates marked “dynamite.” After all, the EBT stored just about anything in dynamite crates that had been emptied at […]
Second RS1325 may be preserved
SANFORD, N.C. — One of just two RS1325 locomotives built by EMD, which had been in danger of being scrapped, may be saved following a Facebook post from a local railfan sounding an alert about the diesel’s status. Former Chicago & Illinois Midland No. 30 has been at North Carolina’s Atlantic & Western Railway since […]
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America announces double matching grant
MINNEAPOLIS – Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) has announced a Double Matching Grant program to aid in the restoration of its two recently acquired Union Pacific steam locomotives, Challenger No. 3985 and 2-10-2 No. 5511. Under the program announced this week, all donations to RRHMA’s Steam Restoration Fund will be matched with $2 for […]
Fall for 1309 event sold out, more photo events available
Trains Magazine and Western Maryland Scenic will be hosting 60 guests at its sold-out event Nov. 4-6, 2022, to welcome back the last Baldwin-built steam locomotive made for the USA. The world’s largest operating Mallet will perform for guests for three days in its first fall photographers’ event. The event will include a program on […]
Railfan photography special to launch season for Conway Scenic’s ‘Mountaineer’
NORTH CONWAY, N.H. — The Conway Scenic Railroad will launch its popular Mountaineer excursion train to Crawford Notch earlier than usual in 2022, beginning with a special Railfan’s Mountaineer photography special on Sunday, May 22. The train, to be hauled by a combination of locomotives including 470 Club’s former Boston & Maine F7A diesels, is […]
