Trains Magazine launches ‘Steam the Stripe’ campaign

Steam locomotive rounds curve

WAUKESHA, Wis. — For only the second time in the 81-year history of Trains Magazine, the publication, website, and special events brand will sponsor a year-long fund-raising partnership with a non-profit to advance a landmark project in American railway preservation. The 2021-2022 Trains Magazine Preservation Partner is the Nashville Steam Preservation Society, home of the […]

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Nevada Northern’s Mark Bassett answers questions from Trains

Steam locomotive hauling short freight train in an arid scene. Snowcapped mountains are in the background.

The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is one of the best-preserved standard gauge railroads in North America. The former copper hauling railroad exists much like it did until regular operations ended in the early 1980s. Since that time preservationists have made a bold stand in the high desert hundreds of miles away from heavily populated areas. […]

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Kansas City Southern: Where to see it while you still can

KCS and BNSF engines lead coal train with mountain in distance.

KANSAS CITY — With the recent announcement that Canadian Pacific is acquiring Kansas City Southern, railfans will no doubt be heading to the KCS to capture the last days of the smallest of the Class I railroads. But where should you go to catch the action on such a vast system? Here’s a few highlights, […]

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Digest: California, Illinois rail museums reopen

California State Railroad Museum logo

California State Railroad Museum reopens The California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento has reopened after being closed for most of the last year, with new measures in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic. KCRA-TV reports the museum is allowed to reopen at 25% of its usual capacity, meaning attendance is currently capped at 125. And […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Winter, Episode 2

Big Skies & Iron Rails logo on a scenic winter background with snow, evergreen trees, and BNSF locomotive

Railroad photographer/videographer Tom Danneman resides in Wisconsin, but his heart never wanders from the American West – even during the harshest days of winter. Take a cinematic trek with him, as he immerses us to the clash with the cold, charms of the quiet, and the continuous challenges railroads face under Big Skies & Iron […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Winter, Episode 2

Big Skies & Iron Rails logo on a scenic winter background with snow, evergreen trees, and BNSF locomotive

Railroad photographer/videographer Tom Danneman resides in Wisconsin, but his heart never wanders from the American West – even during the harshest days of winter. Take a cinematic trek with him, as he immerses us to the clash with the cold, charms of the quiet, and the continuous challenges railroads face under Big Skies & Iron […]

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Obituaries: Marvin Cohen, Pete Reimer

Man holding books

Steam Directory editor, heritage rail pioneer Marvin Cohen Marvin Cohen, editor of the Steam Directory from 1966 to 1989, passed away at home in Middletown, N.Y. on Dec. 10, 2020, at age 93. Mark Smith, Cohen’s successor, credited Cohen with an “incalculable contribution” to the heritage rail industry by creating the “bible of the industry.” […]

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Digest: No. 1309 fully operational, Western Maryland Scenic says

Steam train

Western Maryland Scenic says No. 1309 is being prepared for FRA inspection Western Maryland Scenic Railroad officials say C&O 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 is “100% operational” and believe the locomotive will be operating this summer, although it awaits a few parts and must address “a few leaks” before receiving its Federal Railroad Administration inspection. The Cumberland […]

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Amtrak announces new paint schemes in YouTube video

Side-view front portion of an illustration of an Amtrak locomotive in a new, blue paint scheme.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak will paint at least six locomotive in new and heritage paint schemes in the coming months in honor of the railroad’s 50th anniversary this year. In a YouTube video launched Tuesday, March 16, an Amtrak representative discusses the history of the railroad’s liveries and detailed the newest paint schemes well into the […]

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