Locomotives are the power of railroading

An image of the broadside of a black-painted steam locomotive trailing smoke and steam

Locomotives are the power of railroading and the industries’ most potent and popular symbols. The major types that have been used in North America are steam (now confined to museums, tourist lines, and the occasional excursion), diesel-electric (the standard of the industry), and straight electric (always a tiny minority). Steam locomotives burn coal, oil, or […]

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Basic railroad photography: One camera, one lens

Close up photo of a rotary Lustig

Railroad photography It can be intimidating sometimes, waiting to photograph a train with your camera and the 18-55 mm kit lens, standing next to a fellow fan sporting a monstrous telephoto zoom that in some cases costs more than the car that got you here. That person is going to get a shot you couldn’t […]

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Rockslide detectors are a critical device

train going past a rockslide detector

Rockslide detectors Of the myriad things that can foul the right-of-way and potentially derail a train is the unpredictably of falling rocks from lineside cuts and mountain passes. Even with track gangs constantly walking and inspecting, the possibility of a rockslide is a constant nightmare. To combat slides in any form, railroads employ a number […]

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Aberdeen Carolina & Western E9A debuts

Aberdeen Carolina & Western E9A The short line, Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway Company, debuts its rebuilt and repainted former Union Pacific E9A locomotive, No. 103, on an equipment ferry move on May 25. Then E9A leads former Norfolk Southern F9A and F9B locomotives between the company’s headquarters and main shops at Candor, N.C., and […]

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CSX ranked among America’s climate leaders

CSX train with orange and blue intermodal containers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX Transportation has been recognized by USA Today as one of America’s Climate Leaders, ranking among U.S. companies that have achieved the greatest reduction in emissions intensity between 2019 and 2021. “As the most fuel-efficient mode of freight transportation on land, railroads can play a significant role in the nation’s climate strategy, […]

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India sends 20 broad gauge locomotives to Bangladesh

Trains Magazine logo

NEW DELHI – The Indian Minister of Railways announced it is sending 20 broad gauge WDM-D3 class locomotives to Bangladesh, India’s DD News reported. “India’s relationship with Bangladesh is civilizational, cultural, social and economic. Prime Ministers of both the countries are playing a proactive role to improve bilateral relationships across social, economic and political sectors,” Railways […]

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Steamtown National Historic Site’s Railfest set for June 17

Steam locomotive and tender on turntable

SCRANTON, Pa. – Steamtown National Historic Site’s Railfest and Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum’s Arts on Fire is set for June 17. In addition to free admission, there will be no cost for Steamtown’s short train rides. A complimentary shuttle service will be available throughout the day to transport visitors between Steamtown and the Scranton Iron Furnaces. […]

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Aberdeen Carolina & Western E9A debuts on special train

red and yellow train going over bridge

Aberdeen Carolina & Western E9A CANDOR, N.C. – The Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway has debuted its rebuilt and repainted E9A No. 103 on the “NODA Express Maiden Voyage” (NODA is short for Charlotte’s art and entertainment district in North Davidson). The restored locomotive led a special move from the ACW shops in Candor to […]

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MARC considers expansions to Delaware, Virginia

Blue and silver-painted diesel locomotive leads a train out of a tunnel in a forested scene.

BALTIMORE – A proposal to expand Maryland’s MARC Train commuter train service on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor into Delaware and Virginia is slowing moving ahead. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Transit Administration has signed framework agreements with Delaware Transit Corp. and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority for the potential future expansion […]

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