A career in rail preservation is always possible — it’s a matter of finding where to begin. For 23-year-old Logan Smith, it all started by volunteering at the Illinois Railway Museum on Sundays. Over time, he began working more often and with increasing responsibility, from fireman to head of the Railway Post Office events, and […]
UNION, Ill. — The Illinois Railway Museum has added two former Amtrak diesels — an F40PHR and SDP40F — to its collection. Dynamic Rail Preservation, or DynaRail, has donated F40PHR No. 231 and SDP40F No. 644. The latter unit went to BNSF where it was known as SDF40-2 No. 6975. No. 231 is one of […]
EAST TROY, Wis. — A new restoration with Milwaukee ties is underway at the East Troy Railroad Museum. Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee (North Shore Line) interurban car No. 162 was recently moved into the museum’s maintenance facility for the extensive project to begin. The car was built in 1915 by the J. G. Brill […]
What does it take to save historic rail equipment? It might seem like a lot, even for a simple flatcar. However, learning from the experiences of others — and getting some helpful tips — can help first-time preservationists and new organizations determine how they can get involved. Having a plan The modern rail preservation movement […]
This article was originally published on July 5, 2018, as a blog post from Trains Magazine’s “Train of Thought,” by former Editor Jim Wrinn. While we try to make sense out of the eviction of the Indiana Transportation Museum from its home of 50 years and the resulting scramble to save locomotives and rolling stock […]
THOMASTON, Conn. — No injuries resulted when the Naugatuck Railroad’s restored New Haven FL9 locomotive, No. 2019, derailed during a Sunday, June 29, excursion — an incident captured on video and circulating on social media. The locomotive sustained “significant damage,” the Railroad Museum of New England said in a statement. Thirty-five passengers were on board […]
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Santa Fe No. 2926’s yearly visit to Albuquerque’s downtown Rail Yards — a former ATSF facility with sections redeveloped as a multi-use venue and future home for the 4-8-4 — is scheduled for Sept. 27 and 28, as part of New Mexico Railroad Days. It will mark the third straight year the […]
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 […]
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 […]
SCRANTON, Pa. — Genesee Valley Transportation and the Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad has unveiled former Delaware & Hudson RS3 No. 4068, repainted into the D&H “lightning stripe” scheme at the company’s Von Storch shops in Scranton, Pa. The GVT has also announced that restoration of its PA locomotive, No. 190, has been completed and will make its […]
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 […]
NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The move to return Chicago & North Western 4-6-0 No. 1385 to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum is back on. A June 11 social media post by Mid-Continent announced that the locomotive is scheduled to arrive at the museum on July 12. The public is invited to attend what will be a […]
