Veteran railroader, Trains contributor Bud Bulgrin dies

Man in black cap with camera

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. – Veteran railroader and well-known railfan Burdell L. “Bud” Bulgrin died Aug. 18 of complications of Covid-19. He was 82. Bulgrin’s long railroad career included stints in the communications departments at Santa Fe, Illinois Central, Soo Line, and Canadian Pacific. But he was probably best known as a life-long railfan and photographer […]

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News Photo: Big Boy departs Houston

Steam locomotive and diesel pulling yellow passenger train

HOUSTON — After a display day on Tuesday, Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 resumed its 2021 tour on Wednesday, resuming its trek toward New Orleans. The 4-8-8-4 and its train is show here leaving Houston on Wednesday’s move to Beaumont, Texas. Today, it is scheduled to continue to Livonia, La., where it will lay […]

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News Photos: RGS No. 20 arrives at Cumbres & Toltec

Smoke comes from stack of locomotive on trailer

ANTONITO, Colo. — The Colorado Railroad Museum’s Rio Grande Southern 4-6-0 No. 20 has arrived at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad for its visit including a role in the upcoming Victorian Iron Horse Roundup. The locomotive, restored to operation in 2020,. arrived Sunday by truck from the museum in Golden, Colo. (The tender will […]

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Minnesota museum repairing firebox on DM&IR 2-8-0

Steam locomotive pulling vintage freight cars

DULUTH, Minn. — The Lake Superior Railroad Museum is moving ahead with repairs to return Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 2-8-0 No. 332 to service. Repairs are being made to the firebox of the locomotive, where a crack had developed near an old weld. The museum plans to remove this and another existing weld in […]

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News photo: Erie paint for 75-year-old switcher

Black and yellow locomotive pulling passenger cars

GOWANDA, N.Y. — It’s new paint for an old locomotive. New York short line New York & Lake Erie shows off the paint scheme applied to 75-year old Alco S1 no. 308 as part of the unit’s rebuilding and return to service, at Gowanda, N.Y., on Aug. 8, 2021.  Built for Erie Railroad in November […]

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Big Boy Hot Spot: Dexter, Mo.

Map of railroads and streets of Dexter, Missouri

BIG BOY HOT SPOT Location If you’re for Union Pacific Big Boy Hot Spot this summer, don’t miss the Dexter, Missouri, community. Dexter is situated in the rural southeast corner of Missouri in Stoddard County, about halfway between St. Louis and Memphis. It is surrounded by fertile soil, vast row-crop farmland, and straight, high speed […]

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News photo: Big Boy begins 2021 tour

Steam locomotive pulling mix of passenger and frieght cars

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Big Boy has begun this year’s Big Trip. Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 left its Cheyenne headquarters today, heading east to Sidney, Neb., on the first leg of a month-long, 10-state journey that will take it to New Orleans and back. Union Pacific offers both a detailed schedule and live […]

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Reading & Northern acquires 11 ex-San Luis & Rio Grande cars

Train with steam locomotive approaches through rock cut

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Reading & Northern Railroad has purchased 11 passenger cars from the fleet formerly owned by the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad, the Colorado operation of bankrupt Iowa Pacific Holdings. Among the cars bought at auction are several notables, including the former Southern Railway steam program open-air coach Lookout Mountain […]

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