Big Boy heads west in June

Large steam locomotive pulling a passenger train around a curve. More of the Big Boy story.

CHEYENNE, Wyo.  — Union Pacific’s famed Big Boy steam locomotive No. 4014 is set to return to the tracks this summer for what UP’s Steam Club is calling the “West Coast Steam Tour,” kicking off on June 26 from the railroad’s heritage headquarters in Cheyenne. This year’s tour celebrates Union Pacific’s 160th anniversary, its heritage, […]

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Missile strike on Ukraine rail station kills 57

blue foreign passenger train

KRAMATORSK, Ukraine – A station in Kramatorsk, packed with refugees waiting for trains to take them westward, was hit by a Russian missile attack on April 8. The death toll updated by the Ukrainian government on April 10 stands at 57 with 109 injured. Pictures from the scene depict abandoned belongings and children’s toys, in […]

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Model Railroading: The Ultimate Guide 2022

Model Railroading: The Ultimate Guide 2022

PLUS   Brass engine fix-up Taking the mystery out of brass Add a metal foundry An industry you can model Visit an iron ore hauler An inspiring 23 x 27-foot HO layout You’re the power desk Operating tips from the prototype Add a paved roadway Convincing concrete quickly Modeling a small town Operating possibilities abound […]

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Jim Wrinn tribute video — a compilation

Man speaking in front of steam locomotive.

Jim Wrinn tribute video — a compilation: Trains.com and Kalmbach Media are proud to celebrate the rail journalism life of Jim Wrinn. For the 17 years Jim served as Trains’ Editor — his dream job — Jim was a leader in trying new ways to reach audiences and going great distances to “get the story.” Please enjoy […]

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Kalmbach names Keefe as Trains’ interim editor

Man with dark suit coat and open collared blue shirt.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Kevin P. Keefe has been named Trains magazine’s Interim Editor, effective immediately. Keefe returns to Trains for a third stint as editor, having first held the post from 1992 to 2000, and for a brief time in 2004 while he was serving as the magazine’s publisher. He is expected to remain in his […]

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April 2022

Trains April 2022 cover

In every issue News p. 4 Lessons from the soon-to-be late Montana Rail Link Preservation p. 46 A new future for Rock Island’s Silvis Shops Train-Watching p. 48 Short line: Wisconsin & Southern’s Northern Division […]

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Preview the May June 2022 issue of Classic Toy Trains

Hal Miller with the May June 2022 Classic Toy Trains cover

The May June 2022 issue of Classic Toy Trains features Chris Raines’ layout and his YouTube channel, how to repair American Flyer’s no. 290 steam locomotive, a combination O gauge/Standard gauge layout, plus reviews of Lionel’s baby K4 steam locomotive and Menards hospital building, the latest new products, tips, and much more!   Subscribers can […]

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Jim Wrinn led Trains Magazine with passion

Man at work at computer in office full of rail memorabilia

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Jim Wrinn, who aspired since his youth to be the editor of Trains magazine and served in the role for more than 17 years, died at home on March 30, 2022, after a valiant 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 61. Wrinn’s longevity in the editor’s role was second only to […]

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Scout plans train meet as fundraiser for club

GFW Trainfair flyer

A northern Illinois model railroader is using his – and others – love of the hobby as a Boy Scout project to raise funds for a large-scale railroad group to expand its facilities. George Werderich, who appears on the toy-train oriented GFW Trains Channel on YouTube, is organizing GFW Trainfair as a community service project […]

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March 2022

Trains Magazine March 2022 Cover with KCS locomotive.

In every issue News p. 5 Meet the new CEOs at Amtrak and Norfolk Southern Bill Stephens p. 8 Why we need true transcontinental railroads: Uniting East and West would boost traffic Brian Solomon p. 9 Traffic problems and solutions: Learning from history to shift traffic from highways to railroads Preservation p. 44 Saving a […]

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April 2022

April 2022 cover

Also in this issue: ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6 The latest features on our website FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8 The Ultimate Guide returns! RAILWAY POST OFFICE, pg. 10 Letters from our readers NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 14 Hobby industry news ASK MR, pg. 18 What are gondolas with covers carrying? STEP BY STEP, pg. 22 […]

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Scout plans train meet as fundraiser for club

GFW Trainfest flyer

A northern Illinois model railroader is using his – and others – love of the hobby as a Boy Scout project to raise funds for a large-scale railroad group to expand its facilities. George Werderich, who appears on the toy-train oriented GFW Trains Channel on YouTube, is organizing GFW Trainfest as a community service project […]

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