NRHS, magazines create new rail preservation award

Boiler of steam locomotive in shop building

  PHILADELPHIA – The National Railway Historical Society has announced a new program to recognize railroads for their efforts in railway preservation. The Society is partnering with Railway Age and Railway Track & Structures magazines to honor and recognize a North American common carrier railroad for a historically significant preservation project completed or put into operation within the last […]

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Cass Scenic Railroad | Return to Durbin, W.Va.

Steam trains have been running at Durbin, W.Va., for the past 20 years. But if you look closely, this video captures double-headed Shay steam locomotives working up from Cass, W.Va., for the first time since 1985! Hop aboard for the sights and sounds on this special, restored route along the Greenbrier River. Want to see […]

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Norfolk & Western No. 611 debuts for 2023

Two steam locomotives sitting side by side.

STRASBURG, Pa. — Norfolk & Western steam locomotive No. 611 debuted for its 2023 operating season last weekend with a series of events and excursions on the Strasburg Rail Road. The J-class 4-8-4 returned to the tourist railroad earlier this month after spending the beginning of the year as an exhibit at the next-door Railroad […]

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News photos: A PA arrives in Pa. (updated)

Blue and white locomotive with four gray and white diesels

SCRANTON, Pa. — Alco PA Nickel Plate 190 has arrived at its new home. Completing its cross-country journey from Portland, Ore., the locomotive is now in Scranton, handed over to new owner Genesee Valley Transportation by Norfolk Southern this evening. GVT and the Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad will restore the locomotive, which has an operable prime mover […]

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Alco PA to be publicly displayed at Steamtown

Blue and white vintage diesel locomotive

SCRANTON, Pa. — Genesee Valley Transportation’s historic American Locomotive Co. PA-model “Nickel Plate Road 190” locomotive will be temporarily displayed at Steamtown National Historic Site after its long-anticipated arrival from the West Coast, according to GVT President Michael D.  Thomas. Over the weekend, National Park Service staff and Steamtown volunteers repositioned GVT’s Lackawanna No. 426, […]

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News photo: Ghosts of the Nickel Plate

Blue and white streamlined diesel on bridge.

CLEVELAND — Alco PA No. 190 continues its journey east to its new home with Genesee Valley Transportation in Scranton Pa. On Monday, May 15, it was photographed in downtown Cleveland on the former Nickel Plate (now Norfolk Southern) main line, crossing the Cuyahoga, River. The locomotive was restored by preservationist Doyle McCormack and acquired […]

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Mid-Continent Museum prepares for 60th Anniversary celebration

Diesel locomotive and heavyweight passenger cars

NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The Mid-Continent Railway Museum will mark its 60th anniversary with a day-long celebration on Saturday, May 27. Along with the museum’s regular 55-minute train ride aboard Delaware, Lackawanna & Western steel passenger coaches, the museum will also run a second train consist of its two wooden Copper Range Railroad passenger cars […]

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News photo: PA heads east

Blue and white vintage diesel locomotive

Restored Alco PA No. 190, after a week-long pause at Chicago’s Clearing Yard on its cross-country move from Portland, Ore., has resumed its trip to its new home with Genesee Valley Transportation. Photographer Bruce Stahl caught No. 190 eastbound Friday on a Norfolk Southern train west of South Bend, Ind., trailing four NS and BSNF […]

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Five former steam excursion locomotives that left an impact

Articulated steam locomotive rounds curve with passenger excursion train

Steam excursions in the United States are like taking center stage. Star-studded locomotives arrived with some staying while others received curtain calls. Of those that have taken their final bow, here are five former U.S. steam excursion locomotives that left an impact. Grand Trunk Western No. 5629 Excursion service 1959-1973: The class K-4a, 4-6-2 No. […]

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Grand Canyon Railway No. 4960 continues centennial year into May

GC4960

WILLIAMS, Ariz. — As part of the 2023 steam schedule of operating the “First Saturday” excursions, Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel’s 2-8-2 No. 4960 was fired up for the special occasion. The former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad locomotive, with assistance from F40 diesel No. 4128, headed the railway’s round-trip excursion train from Williams to […]

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