Iowa Interstate steam locomotive to offer Labor Day weekend excursions

Night photo of steam locomotive

DES MOINES, Iowa – Central States Steam Preservation Association and the Iowa Interstate Railroad, in partnership with Operation Lifesaver and the Science Center of Iowa, will run short passenger trips out of downtown Des Moines with the Iowa Bolt 2-10-2 steam locomotive No. 6988 Labor Day Weekend. This event will put Operation Lifesaver at the […]

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Big Boy Hot Spot: Dexter, Mo.

Map of railroads and streets of Dexter, Missouri

BIG BOY HOT SPOT Location If you’re for Union Pacific Big Boy Hot Spot this summer, don’t miss the Dexter, Missouri, community. Dexter is situated in the rural southeast corner of Missouri in Stoddard County, about halfway between St. Louis and Memphis. It is surrounded by fertile soil, vast row-crop farmland, and straight, high speed […]

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News photo: Big Boy begins 2021 tour

Steam locomotive pulling mix of passenger and frieght cars

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Big Boy has begun this year’s Big Trip. Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 left its Cheyenne headquarters today, heading east to Sidney, Neb., on the first leg of a month-long, 10-state journey that will take it to New Orleans and back. Union Pacific offers both a detailed schedule and live […]

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Big Boy etiquette: How to see Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 safely

Steam locomotive sprays steam on spectators in a downtown setting

Before you head out to watch the world’s largest steam locomotive in August 2021, here are Big Boy etiquette tips you should know. Big Boy on the move Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 will set out eastward from its homebase in Cheyenne, Wyo., bound for New Orleans. This is the first time for the locomotive […]

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Reading & Northern acquires 11 ex-San Luis & Rio Grande cars

Train with steam locomotive approaches through rock cut

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Reading & Northern Railroad has purchased 11 passenger cars from the fleet formerly owned by the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad, the Colorado operation of bankrupt Iowa Pacific Holdings. Among the cars bought at auction are several notables, including the former Southern Railway steam program open-air coach Lookout Mountain […]

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Mark Twain Zephyr restoration continues with dining-car work

Man works on side of stainless steel passenger car

TREGO, Wis. — The kitchen of the car Huckleberry Finn, being converted to a full dining car, is a focal point as work continues on the restoration of the Mark Twain Zephyr at the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad. During work on Thursday, July 22, lead carpenter Bob Heil displayed a stainless steel butter knife found […]

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Two NKP 2-8-4s to be reunited for ‘Berkshires in Bellevue’ event

Passenger train with steam engine stops on straight as diesel crosses bridge in background

BELLEVUE, Ohio — Two Nickel Plate Railroad 2-8-4 locomotives will be reunited for a series of special events Sept. 24 to Oct. 3, with the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and Mad River & NKP Museum combining for the “Berkshires in Bellevue” event. Tickets will go on sale July 28 for events featuring the Fort […]

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