BNSF Railway locomotives reviewed

Three diesel locomotives outside shop building

The motive power fleet of BNSF Railway, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2020, has come a long way since Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and Burlington Northern merged in 1995. The railroad has transformed its roster from one of the most eclectic in modern times to a more refined fleet of locomotives with a […]

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General Electric B40-8 profile

Orange locomotive cabs side by side

  General Electric’s last high-horsepower, four-axle locomotive model was the Dash 8-40B or more commonly known as the B40-8. The B40-8 was GE’s refinement of the B39-8 which was first delivered in 1987 with production only lasting one year. Both models are indistinguishable from each other externally with the exception of the first few B39-8s […]

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Remembering the Seaboard Air Line Railroad

Stainless-steel streamliner crossing bridge.

History of the Seaboard Air Line The Seaboard’s beginnings date to 1832, when the Portsmouth & Roanoke was chartered to build from Portsmouth, Va., to Weldon, N.C. Opened in 1834 the companies’ backers saw great potential to link the North with the South’s agricultural and forest products and with its developing potential for industry. P&R […]

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Motorcycle special recalls Amtrak’s era of experiments

Motorcycle rider waiving while driving.

  In the 1990s Amtrak managers sought to use mail and express business to bolster revenue. A byproduct of that initiative, which involved beefing up baggage handling facilities and acquisition of boxcars, was aggressively seeking ways to use equipment. New Hampshire-based motorcycle event promoter Charlie St. Clair was a member of Amtrak’s Customer Advisory Committee […]

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Pullman: America’s Hotel on Wheels – DVD Preview

Black and white image of craftsmen wearing ties and in a woodshop.

In the golden age of long-distance train travel, Pullman trains offered impeccable overnight services that were second to none. In this Classic Trains special preview video, learn more about America’s Hotel on Wheels through first-person recollections, detailed explanation of car routing, and examination of the various Pullman car types. Enjoy, and then order the full-length […]

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Remembering the Newfoundland Railway

A steam locomotive at the head of a train releasing steam in a rail yard.

History of the Newfoundland Railway When Canadian National closed its rail operations on the island of Newfoundland — the former Newfoundland Railway — in October 1988, it marked the end of common-carrier narrow-gauge railroading in North America. Although other properties have survived or been resurrected as operating museums or tourist lines — think East Broad […]

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Remembering New York Central freight trains

Road-switcher diesel locomotives with freight train

All through January 2021, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the New York Central Railroad. This week, feast your eyes on freight trains, in black-and-white, and color, from deep in Appalachia, to Manhattan’s High Line. See what we’ve unearthed from the David P. Morgan Library on this great railroad. Only from Classic Trains!   […]

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