Contemporary holiday season travel can present challenges that will dim the spirits of even the most joyful among us. Let us, for a few moments, recall a time of more enjoyable travel, a time when getting there was a fun part of the adventure. Like today, travel on Christmas is not an ideal situation. In […]
Flying Scotsman celebrates a century Often said to be the most famous locomotive in the world, the Flying Scotsman celebrates a century, having entered service Feb. 24,1923, for England’s Great Northern Railway. The locomotive began service as an A1 class 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive and was later upgraded to the A3 with the same wheel arrangement. […]
Santa Claus rides the Sierra Northern Railway, Ventura Division Have you ever wondered what happens when Santa’s sleigh and reindeer, his traditional form of transportation, needs its regularly scheduled inspection and servicing? Let’s face it; over the millennium the jolly guy in the red suit has circumnavigated the world more times than Magellan. He and […]
It’s snow time on BNSF Railway’s Scenic Subdivision Working in the snow of the Cascade Mountains was always special, until you had to work in it. I have joked for years that at one point I loved skiing until I had to pack my third knuckle to replace a broken one in deep snow. Both […]
From Auto-Train to Amtrak Auto Train Today’s Auto Train is a stellar option for people looking to travel long distances with their car in tow between northern Virginia and central Florida. Amtrak’s marketing slogan on its website is “Take Your Car on an Auto Train Road Trip.” Those traveling in sleeping cars receive traditional dining-car […]
For years the Chicago & North Western operated Chicago’s most extensive commuter service. Its three routes were designated West, North, and Northwest. Those names also serve well to group C&NW’s lines west, northwest, and north from Chicago. West, North, and Northwest The railroad capital of the U.S., Chicago, saw its first locomotive in […]
Into the 1960s, Chicago & North Western passenger trains blanketed the Upper Midwest, especially in Wisconsin — a popular vacationland until the jet airliner beckoned travelers instead to the likes of Southern California, Miami, and Las Vegas. In the late 1950s, new C&NW management saw the writing on the walls of the railroad’s majestic […]
CASS, W.Va. — The Mountain State Railroad & Logging Historical Association, founded in 1982, which played a key role in support of the Cass Scenic Railroad, will conclude operations, its president has announced. Association president Matt Wilson informed members in a Nov. 24 letter that the organization will become part another group, Friends of Cass […]
Model Railroader is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2024, so there’s a lot of history there, with all kinds of innovations, great layouts, and amazing products. One thing there hasn’t been is a model railroaders hall of fame. It’s time to do something about it, so this year, we’re going to nominate people we think […]
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Railroading Heritage of Midwest America’s Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 No. 261 made its second run of 2023 today (Thursday, Nov. 30) operating from its home base in Minneapolis to St. Paul Union Depot. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 1-3, the locomotive will run short “North Pole Express” trips at the depot in what […]
TORONTO — Canada’s VIA Historical Society has launched a major fundraising campaign to acquire its first locomotive, former VIA Rail Canada FP9A No. 6539, to be used as part of the organization’s touring exhibition train to celebrate VIA’s 50th anniversary in 2028. The organization is seeking to raise C$250,000 to purchase, move, restore, repaint and […]
I don’t keep bucket lists, but one thing I’d been hoping to visit one day was the famed Oyster Bar, the historic restaurant that’s been operating in the catacombs of New York City’s Grand Central Terminal nearly continuously for 110 years. I finally got my chance a couple of weeks ago during a short research […]
