Book Review: The Twilight of Steam: Great Photography from the Last Days of Steam Locomotives in America

Twilight of Steam

The Twilight of Steam: Great Photography from the Last Days of Steam Locomotives in America By Brian Solomon Voyageur Press, 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401; 192 pages, 128 b&w photos; hardcover, 12 x 10 in.; $50.00 More than 50 years after the last steam engines ran in revenue service, the fascination […]

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Fastest hogger on the slim-gauge

DRGW485engr

A predecessor of this Rio Grande engineer made a daring Chama–Durango run in 1923. A. C. Kalmbach My grandfather, Marvin Rhodes, lived for almost a century, and he spent more than half of his long life working out of Durango, Colo., on the narrow-gauge lines of the Denver & Rio Grande Western. He hired out […]

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Small town railroading in the early 1950s

Smalltownrailroadingintheearly1950s

For many years small towns were a major source of traffic for railroads all across the country. Long before anyone ever heard of freeways, the railroads moved all sorts of carload and less-than-carload lot (LCL) freight that kept the local businesses and nearby agricultural economy going. A local station agent-operator was the railroad’s representative who […]

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A Day on Chicago’s Roosevelt Road: Friday, July 24, 1964, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Classic Trains logo

Stations (east to west) and Carriers at Roosevelt Road: Central: IC, NYC, Soo Dearborn: ATSF, C&EI, C&WI, EL, GTW, Monon, Wabash La Salle Street: NYC, NKP, RI (all NYC trains before 3:30 to or from La Salle Street) Grand Central: B&O, C&O Union: CB&Q, GM&O, PRR Train (Number/Name if known), Engines, Cars, Schedule (all times […]

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Midwest passenger train consists, July 23-25, 1964

Classic Trains logo

Trains ridden: C&O-B&O Night Special, Detroit–Toledo–Lima, July 23-24 (C&O No. 21, Detroit Fort Street–Plymouth; C&O No. 48, Plymouth–Toledo; B&O No. 57, Toledo–Lima): B&O 1457/1409 (E9A/E6A), 12 cars* (B&O unless noted): REX 6398 express, REX 7082 express, C&O 396 baggage, 662 baggage, 230 baggage, 47 RPO, 3547 coach, 3572 coach, B&O Pullman sleeper Cascade Drive (MP Eagle […]

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Helper communication in the steam locomotive era

Helpercommunicationinthesteamlocomotiveera

Helper operations were carefully coordinated using locomotive whistle signals as specified in the railroad’s operating rules: (an “o” denotes a short sound, while a dash – indicates a longer whistle blast). The lead engineer handled the train’s air brake while each helper engineer had an independent brake for just his engine. Two long blasts on […]

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History According to Hediger: Model Railroader’s 40th anniversary boxcars

Red model boxcars

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In 2014, Model Railroader magazine celebrates 80 years in publication. Coincidentally, 40 years ago MR Senior Editor Jim Hediger was just getting started as a staff editor when he was charged with shepherding the production of a custom-run boxcar to commemorate MR’s 40th […]

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History According to Hediger: Model Railroader’s 40th anniversary boxcars

Red model boxcars

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In 2014, Model Railroader magazine celebrates 80 years in publication. Coincidentally, 40 years ago MR Senior Editor Jim Hediger was just getting started as a staff editor when he was charged with shepherding the production of a custom-run boxcar to commemorate MR’s 40th […]

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MBTA workers discover historic sign at Government Center NEWSWIRE

BOSTON – In the midst of a multi-million dollar station renovation, MBTA workers have discovered a historic subway sign beneath the streets of Boston, WCVB-TV reports. MBTA is rebuilding the Government Center stop, the interchange between the Blue and Green lines, and last week during the initial teardown workers discovered mosaic sign announcing the station’s […]

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Jack Delano’s Homefront Photography

06-11 Sinise Crew

FULL SCREEN Jack Delano, courtesy of the Library of Congress Santa Fe conductor George Burton tends the fire in the stove of his freight train’s caboose in March 1943. Burton lived in Chillicothe, Illinois, and worked the run between there and Corwith Yard in Chicago. FULL SCREEN Jack Delano, courtesy of the Library of Congress […]

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