Spots remain on Trains/Special Interest Tours UK event

Senior Editor David Lassen is now scheduled to serve as the Trains Magazine host on the Trains/Special Interest Tours “UK Celebration Steam Bicentennial Tour,” a 10-day, nine-night event set for Sept. 23-Oct. 2, 2025. Space remains available for the tour, which begins in London and ends in Manchester. It includes private-car excursions on the Ffestiniog […]

Read More…

Trains.com Insider Exclusive | Lionel CEO Howard Hitchcock interview

Logo and text with smiling man

In this Trains.com exclusive, Lionel LLC CEO Howard Hitchcock fields interview questions from Classic Toy Trains Editor Rene Schweitzer at Lionel’s headquarters in Concord, North Carolina. Howard and Rene discuss the brand’s 125th anniversary, new products, NASCAR die-cast products, custom-run products, the future of the American Flyer line, and much more! You don’t want to miss […]

Read More…

Britain’s royal train to be retired

Short British passenger train

LONDON — The private train of Britain’s royal family will be retired, King Charles has decided. The first royal train, with special cars commissioned by Queen Victoria, dates to 1869. The current version’s equipment dates to 1977 and was last upgraded in the 1980s; its stock would need to be replaced, and storage and maintenance […]

Read More…

VIA Historical Association trainset makes debut

Yellow and blue passenger train next to current VIA Rail Canada equipment

TORONTO — The VIA Historical Association’s heritage train of VIA Rail Canada equipment made its public debut this week, appearing at a June 25 event marking the 40th anniversary of VIA’s Toronto Maintenance Centre. The train — restored FP9 No. 6539 and three former Canadian National cars — baggage car No. 9604 and Dayniter coaches […]

Read More…

Cumbres & Toltec announces leadership changes

Two steam locomotives leading train through fall colors

CHAMA, N.M. — The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has made leadership changes in the wake of a start to its season that has seen the heritage railway face difficulties in maintaining scheduled operations. Former CEO Eric Mason and former General Manager Steven Butler have rejoined the railroad, the railroad said in a recent press […]

Read More…

UP Lincoln locomotive coming to Springfield, Ill.

Red, maroon, and gray locomotive passing grain elevator

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Union Pacific will bring its Abraham Lincoln locomotive to Springfield, the hometown of the 16th president, on July 1, to commemorate the railroad’s 163rd birthday. The railroad was founded on July 1, 1862, when Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act authorizing construction of the first transcontinental railroad. To mark the occasion, UP, […]

Read More…

5 traits of the Ann Arbor Railroad

Two blue diesel cab locomotives lead a freight train.

  Michigan was and still is no stranger to railroads small yet unique enough to attract a following. The former Ann Arbor Railroad, not to be confused with today’s incarnation under Watco, certainly fit the bill with these 5 traits of the Ann Arbor Railroad that range from quirky to charming.   More car ferry […]

Read More…

News photo: Latest Metro-North heritage unit makes revenue debut

Silver and blue locomotive on commuter train

NEW YORK — Metro-North’s latest heritage unit, P32AC-DM No. 203, made its debut in commuter operation today (June 20, 2025), powering Hudson Line train No. 734, a 7:58 a.m. departure from Croton-Harmon to Grand Central Terminal. As has been the case with the debut of other heritage locomotives, No. 203 led the inbound train, rather […]

Read More…

New York rail museum closed by flooding

Mudslide along railroad tracks

RUSH, N.Y. — The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum will be closed until Aug. 2 as a result of significant flood damage suffered on June 18, the museum has announced. Storms brought more than 7 inches of rain in a three-hour period, causing widespread damage throughout New York’s Monroe County. Museum damage included significant […]

Read More…