MOUNT WASHINGTON, N.H. — The iconic coal-fired steam locomotives of the Mount Washington Cog Railway will see a temporary delay in their 2025 debuts. A May 12 post on the tourist railroad’s Facebook page states: “Recent pre-season preparations revealed the need for reduced steam pressure in locomotives MW2 and MW9, conditions that would result in […]
CONCORD, N.H. — The Flying Yankee has been officially listed in the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, presented by the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources (DHR). In a press release sent to News Wire by the Flying Yankee Association (FYA), the recognition is seen as an honor to the articulated trainset’s historical […]
Want to own a piece of toy train television history while also benefiting a worthy cause? You’ll have that chance this month. In a press release sent to Classic Toy Trains, auctioneer Propstore, in partnership with Mattel, is hosting an auction featuring more than 200 items from the iconic Thomas & Friends television series. This […]
ALNA, Maine — The Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum has kicked off a new fundraising campaign to send its reconstruction project to the finish line. The organization of Maine’s 2’ gauge lore has been building an all-new coach since 2017. Coach No. 9 is a replica of one of two wooden coaches originally built […]
A House subcommittee hearing on May 6 focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of federal rail grants as U.S. Department of Transportation officials grapple with thousands of awarded-but-unobligated grants. Industry experts testified that reliable funding and faster regulatory processes are critical to infrastructure development. “We need reliable, predictable funding to plan decades’ worth of […]
CUMBERLAND, Md. — Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) recently announced that 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 is ready to return to excursion service, beginning May 9. The locomotive was sidelined during the 2024 season for extensive work on the pistons, cylinders, and running gear [see “Western Maryland Scenic No. 1309 nears reassembly,” News Wire, Jan. 22, 2025]. […]
ABILENE, Kan. — The operating season is ramping up for the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad. The same is true for major work on the railroad’s former Rock Island branch — between Abilene and Enterprise — and its Santa Fe steam locomotive No. 3415. Accoring to a May 7 article from KSAL radio, the railroad’s […]
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has laid off a portion of its technology services staff as part of a departmental restructuring effort, per the Forth Worth Star Telegram. While BNSF did not disclose specific numbers, the cuts are believed to have affected between 140 and 175 workers. The Fort Worth-based carrier is creating a […]
WOODSTOWN, N.J. — The Woodstown Central Railroad will see another expansion to its excursion fleet, this time in the form of a favorite among tourist railroad circles: the open air car. Former Lehigh & New England Railroad composite gondola No. 10301 will debut on May 10 as part of the Woodstown Central’s Scenic Rambler between […]
STRASBURG, Pa. — The Strasburg Rail Road wasted no time unleashing its workhorse, 2-10-0 No. 90 back onto the tourist railroad’s main line through the Amish countryside. The locomotive began 45-minute excursion runs by early April, mechanically fresh from a federally mandated 1,472-day boiler inspection that began in early 2024. Cosmetically, the gold numbers, lettering, […]
Recently, I began teaching a series of classes at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania titled Railroad Photography 101. I cover the basics in this two-hour course, beginning with a short digital slide show encompassing more than 60 years of photography. I also provide a list of 10 basic tips — things like making sure batteries […]
Rapido HO MOW flat and camp cars Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single camp car, $69.95; three-pack (diner, kitchen, and office vans), $199.95; and six-pack (sleeper vans), $399.95. Separate sale camp trailers (dining, kitchen, office, and sleeper), $24.95 each. Conrail F30A MOW flatcar with deck rails: Single car, $54.95; six-pack, $329.70. Era: 1980s to present Manufacturer: […]
