Fall 2025

The fall 2025 cover of Classic Trains magazine, which features a steam locomotive in a black and white photograph

Welcome – Never stop learning Head End – A potpourri of railroad history, then and now Fast Mail – Letters from our readers True Color – Rush hour at Kansas City The Way It Was  – Tales from railfans and railroaders Looking Back – Santa Fe all the way […]

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News Photos: Flooding on BNSF in Washington

BNSF Railway crews worked over the weekend to repair flood-damaged sections of the railroad in Washington state, which was hit by record rainfall last week. Some areas of western Washington and Oregon received 10 to 17 inches of rain, which is more than some locations receive in a month, BNSF said in a customer advisory […]

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Spaces to Places VIII | Disguising a backdrop opening, Part 2

Host Gerry Leone continues to innovate on his HO scale Bona Vista layout, tackling a major scenic problem—concealing the hole in the upper-deck backdrop where trains emerge from a helix. See how Gerry modifies a Walthers Brick Freight House kit to create the perfect illusion. Plus, you’ll see how he adds realistic mortar lines to […]

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NS and CPKC are trying to iron out differences over Meridian Speedway

Map of eastern U.S. highlighting route between Meridian, Miss., and Shreveport, La.

WASHINGTON — Norfolk Southern told federal regulators this week that it hopes to smooth over its dispute with Canadian Pacific Kansas City regarding operations over their joint Meridian Speedway. But NS also said it disagrees with nearly everything CPKC has told the Surface Transportation Board about service over the 302-mile corridor that runs from Meridian, […]

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December 2025

The December 2025 cover of Trains magazine, which features a black steam locomotive advancing towards the camera

In every issue News, p. 4 Steve Angel replaces Joe Hinrichs as CSX chief executive officer Bill Stephens, p. 14 Three days in August will shape the merger debate John P. Hankey, p. 16 Will there be one big railroad? Preservation, p. 40 The National Railroad Museum opens its riverfront expansion Brian Solomon, p. 44 […]

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CSX grounds its corporate jet fleet

CSX logo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX has shut down its aviation department, which flew corporate jets to whisk railroad executives around the system and elsewhere. The department, which had been in operation for 84 years and employed pilots and mechanics, was disbanded on Dec. 1, the railroad confirmed. A spokesman declined to release any details about the […]

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