Canadian Pacific Holiday Train to remain sidelined in 2021

Canadia Pacific Holiday Train

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific’s Holiday Train will again be sidelined by COVID-19 considerations in 2021, but the railroad will continue with the actions it took in 2020, donating to food banks and holding an online benefit concert. “The spirit of the Holiday Train is about giving generously and inspiring those around us to give […]

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N&W No. 611 to remain at Strasburg Rail Road

Streamlined steam locomotive at station next to tower

STRASBURG, Pa. — Norfolk & Western Class J locomotive No. 611 will remain at the Strasburg Rail Road this winter, undergoing an annual inspection and maintenance, following the conclusion of its operations on the Pennsylvania short line. The Virginia Museum of Transportation’s 4-8-4 had operated at Strasburg since May, wrapping up its schedule of excursions, […]

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Milwaukee Road 261 returns to action (with video)

People gather around steam locomotive and train

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Milwaukee Road locomotive No. 261 is back on the road after a two-year absence from mainline operation. The S-3 Class Northern 4-8-4, built in 1944 by the American Locomotive Co. at Schenectady, N.Y., was in action Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2-3, on the Twin Cities & Western Railroad between Chanhassen and Bongards, […]

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Iowa Pacific Railroad equipment in late 2021

A maroon and yellow-stripped cab unit under clear, sunny skies.

ALAMOSA, Colorado — Iowa Pacific Railroad equipment rolled out of Alamosa in the San Luis Valley bound for days of fun, music, and beer in the Colorado mountains until just a few years ago. The Illinois Central colors of Iowa Pacific Holdings and the trains of the San Luis & Rio Grande added to the […]

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Mark Twain Zephyr work continues with dining-car project (with video)

Kitchen in railroad car, with new equipment on one side and original equipment on the other

TREGO, Wis. — The interior of another car has been completed as the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad continues its work to return one of the first diesel-powered streamlined passenger trains to operation. Trains News Wire’s latest visit to northwest Wisconsin to check on restoration of the Mark Twain Zephyr, the articulated trainset built by Philadelphia’s […]

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Indiana Rail Road Santa Train to return

Indiana Rail Road Santa Train logo

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Rail Road’s Santa Train will return after a pandemic-related hiatus, operating Dec. 3-5 under a modified schedule and format because of ongoing COVID-19 safety precautions. The 2021 operation of the specially decorated train will see Santa’s elves arrive ahead of the train to prepare for Santa’s arrival, with families invited to watch […]

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Nickel Plate 765 returns to the rails for a special reunion

Two steam locomotives lined up side-by-side

NEW HAVEN, Ind. — Famed excursion star Nickel Plate Road No. 765 had a busy fall in 2021 with a visit to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and a special trip to reunite with sister NKP Berkshire No. 757 in Bellevue, Ohio. Now the 765 organization looks forward to its 50th anniversary in 2022. After […]

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Wood-burning steam locomotive special event

4-4-0 Eureka and 2-6-0 Glenbrook doublehead on a mixed train for fans. The location is Ferguson’s trestle. Jim Wrinn

Wood-burning steam locomotive event in 2021 Wood-burning steam locomotive trains were the highlight of a September 2021 celebration of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad that is automatically a step back in time to the 1920s. With the inclusion of the older locomotives, the clock turned back further, to about 1900. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed […]

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US Sugar to run steam locomotive on freight move Oct. 1

Steam locomotive in sugar cane fields with company logo

CLEWISTON, Fla. – On October 1, Sugar Express 4-6-2 steam locomotive No. 148 will power the first cane train of the season, signaling the official start of the sugarcane harvest. The train will depart 1st Avenue and Florida Avenue NW in Moore Haven at about 9:30 a.m., and pull south through Clewiston over U.S. 27 […]

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West Virginia autumn excursion postponed

Passenger train dome cars pass signals among colorful trees

HUNTINGTON,  W.Va. – The 2021 Autumn Colors Express railroad passenger excursions in the New River Gorge have been postponed. “An overwhelming number of customers have expressed concern about this year’s event. The current surge in COVID-19 cases in West Virginia has local hospitals operating at emergency levels, making postponement our best and only option this […]

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