Big Skies & Iron Rails, Grain Trains

When the bounty of Heartland crops are harvested, much of the grain goes west. Destined for North American ports and then foreign shores, the first leg of that western trek is often aboard commodity cruisers, otherwise known as grain trains. Naturally, railfan/videographer Tom Danneman is poised to capture these heavy haulers in season, and as […]

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California high speed project looks to change plans for LA-Anaheim route

Map of planned high-speed rail route between Los Angeles and Anaheim, Calif.

LOS ANGELES — The California High-Speed Rail Authority is proposing changes for the Los Angeles-Anaheim portion of its route, introducing a plan that would build a fourth track in that segment to help handle freight traffic. KTLA-TV reports the revision reflects opposition to an earlier plan which would have seen a new freight facility built […]

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Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum sets first excursions with ex-New Haven RDC

Aerial view of RDC in front of station

ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum will run its first excursions with former New Haven Budd Rail Diesel Car this weekend, as RDC-1 No. 41 runs on Past Peak Fall Train Rides this Saturday, Oct. 28, and Halloween Costume trains on Sunday, Oct. 29. Trains will run on the Adams Branch, departing from […]

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After 18 years, rail group resumes RDC runs in Bellefonte, Pa.

RDC with puffs of white smoke in countryside.

BELLEFONTE, Pa. – After an absence of 18 years, the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society will resume Rail Diesel Car public excursions over a branch of the Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad on Oct. 28-29. This was made possible by the return from Rail Mechanical Services of Columbia, Pa., of the group’s repaired RDC-1 car No. […]

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N&W No. 611 dress rehearsal for the Virginia Scenic Railway

In late September 2023, Norfolk & Western steam locomotive No. 611 operated on the Buckingham Branch Railroad, in preparation for its fall excursions. The J-class 4-8-4 is scheduled to run the Shenandoah Valley Limited as part of the Virginia Scenic Railway, a passenger excursion operator for the short line railroad.   […]

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News photo: NJ Transit’s latest heritage locomotive

Black and yellow diesel locomotive

NJ Transit has unveiled its latest heritage unit, painted for the Erie Railroad, one of its commuter-rail predecessors. The commuter operator released the photo of GP40PH-2B No. 4210 this weekend in Erie’s black-and-gold paint scheme, noting the railroad “held a large presence in the North Jersey commuter rail scene” and operated on what are now […]

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Explore Wisconsin’s Osceola and Saint Croix Valley Railway

The scenic town of Osceola, Wisc., recently hosted the inaugural Trains Magazine diesel photo special, attracting rail enthusiasts and photographers. The Osceola and Saint Croix Valley Railway typically offers passenger services along a former Soo Line branch, owned by Canadian National. However, special events extend the experience to other tracks, including the line’s northern terminus […]

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Ukraine update: Railways see espionage, sabotage, and station attacks as war grinds on

Gold EMU passenger train at station

The war in Ukraine shows no sign of ending any time soon, and railways remain heavily involved in Ukraine; in Russia, where the ongoing invasion depends on it; and in neighboring European countries. Trackside espionage in Poland In March, Polish police arrested six people allegedly working for Russian Military intelligence who had placed trackside cameras […]

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Spaces remain for Illinois Railway Museum night steam photo event

Night photo of steam locomotive

UNION, Ill. — A few spaces remain for a night photo session set for Oct. 7 at the Illinois Railway Museum as part of its “Steam Into Fall” event, marking the end of the museum’s 2023 operating season. The session will feature Frisco No. 1630, the museum’s “Russian Decapod” built by Baldwin in 1918, and […]

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Discover Paw Paw, W.Va.’s Historic CSX Magnolia Cutoff

Explore Paw Paw, WV’s rich history with the Magnolia Cutoff, an engineering masterpiece from 1913 designed to streamline the Baltimore and Ohio mainline, reducing congestion and enhancing rail transport efficiency. This legacy route, complete with tunnels, bridges, and a massive retaining wall, continues to serve CSX today. Read more about this route in Trains magazine’s […]

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