One of the fascinating aspects of being actively involved in firing and running steam locomotives was discovering that each one had its own personality. In the case of a class of engines, sometimes the entire group would demonstrate similar characteristics, but seemingly there would always be one or more in the class that were […]
This northward view shows the sprawling Cincinnati Union Terminal complex not long before it was put into service in March 1933. Besides the landmark half-dome headhouse, the terminal included 15 platform tracks, a 26-track coach yard, and 20-stall roundhouse. Classic Trains coll. […]
Franconia Paper Co. 0-4-0T No. 3, built by Porter in 1917 for the Watertown (Mass.) Arsenal, putters about the paper company’s plant at Lincoln, N.H., in September 1955. Philip R. Hastings photo […]
Norfolk & Western class Z1b 2-6-6-2 1480 is at Norton, Va., in May 1952. A decent-sized engine by most standards, the Z1 was small in comparison to N&W’s class Y 2-8-8-2s and A 2-6-6-4s. Ed Theisinger photo […]
FP7 No. 405 backs past Joliet (Ill.) Union Station to pick up a Rock Island suburban consist for a run into Chicago in fall 1951. Wallace W. Abbey photo […]
Compared to their traditional reciprocating rod-driven counterparts, geared steam locomotives can be seen as “oddballs” to the casual eye. They certainly fit that bill with their unique styles of running gear consisting of cylinders positioned at different angles and connected to the drive shaft through a series of gears to ultimately power every wheel […]
Rio Grande 2-8-8-2 Mallet 3413 helps 2-8-8-2 3606, a newer, simple-expansion locomotive, up the Front Range of the Rockies with a 48-car freight at Pinecliff, Colo., in May 1940. J. W. Maxwell photo […]
Rock Island passenger trains: All through February 2025, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history and heritage of the Missouri Pacific. Please enjoy this photo gallery of Missouri Pacific passenger trains, originally published online in December 2020. […]
Two red and gray Monon F3 diesels approach the complex 21st Street interlocking in Chicago with the outbound Tippecanoe in 1950. Wallace W. Abbey photo […]
Maryland & Pennsylvania 4-6-0 No. 27 is being ferried north ahead of train 1’s gas-electric car at Towson, Md., in November 1953. James P. Gallagher photo […]
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J. F. Brunson is in the hot seat for the Florence (S.C.)–Savannah (Ga.) leg of Atlantic Coast Line train 75, the Havana Special, in August 1957. William D. Middleton photo […]
