Digest: U.S. Sugar operates steam-powered holiday train

Steam locomotive pulling train over water on a pile causeway.

U.S. Sugar fires up No. 148 for ‘Santa Express’ U.S. Sugar volunteers, joined by members of the U.S. Marine Corps and local representatives from Toys for Tots, operated its 4-6-2, No. 148, as the “Santa Express” from U.S. Sugar’s Clewiston, Fla., headquarters on on Saturday, delivering presents for children of the Florida Glades farming communities […]

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Historical society, Cumbres & Toltec reach agreement on 15-year inspection for D&RGW No. 315

Older steam locomotive pulling a train along a grassy flat area.

ANTONITO, Colo. — The Durango Railroad Historical Society and Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will perform the Federal Railroad Administration-required 15-year inspection on D&RGW C-18 locomotive No. 18, the 2-8-0 built by Baldwin for the Florence & Cripple Creek. The work will be performed in the Cumbres & Toltec’s Antonito shops, with historical society volunteers […]

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East Broad Top plans spring reopening for regular operation

Man in high-visibility clothing squats near rust covered rails of a switch in a rail yard.

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — Regularly scheduled tourist passenger service is set to resume on the East Broad Top Railroad for the first time since the historic narrow-gauge line shut down in 2011. This will occur in May or June 2021 “with or without steam (locomotives)” said Brad Esposito, the railroad’s general manager, in an interview […]

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Trains.com Holiday Party: CN Heritage Locomotives, Episode 2

David Popp in santa hat with Jim Wrinn

David Popp joins Trains magazine editor Jim Wrinn at a trackside hotspot in Wisconsin. That’s where they hope to lay eyes on one or more of Canadian National’s fleet of modern diesel locomotives recently repainted to salute the railroads rolled into CN control. […]

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News Photos: New York gathering of Alcos; S1 preservation effort

Three older diesel locomotives aligned on yard tracks for a night time photo session.

GREENWICH JUNCTION, N.Y. — A group of railfans gathered three preserved and operational Alco locomotives for a night photo at Greenwich Junction on Dec. 6, 2020, and are also seeking to promote an effort to preserve a former Alco plant switcher. Photographed at Greenwich Junction, where the Greenwich & Johnsonville Railroad interchanged with the Delaware […]

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CN celebrates 25th anniversary of privatization, unveils heritage locomotives

Canadian National CEO JJ Ruest with 6 heritage locomotives

MONTREAL — Canadian National has unveiled a set of heritage locomotives as it celebrates today’s 25th anniversary of the initial public offering that marks its privatization from a government-owned Crown Corporation. In its 25 years as a private corporation, CN has acquired the Illinois Central; Wisconsin Central; Elgin, Joliet & Eastern; and BC Rail. Those […]

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Canadian Pacific No. 2816 to steam again for Holiday Train video (corrected)

CP_2816

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 is making a one-time-only return to steam to pull a “virtual” edition of Canadian Pacific’s Holiday Train, returning to operation after nearly a decade of dormancy. The locomotive will pull the train later this month in the yard at Calgary and will not operate on the main line. […]

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Digest: CP announces performers for ‘Holiday Train at Home’ online concert

Canadia Pacific Holiday Train

Friday afternoon rail news: CP announces artists for ‘Holiday Train at Home’ concert Canadian Pacific has announced that Serena Ryder and The Trews will be the headline performers for the “Holiday Train at Home” online fundraising concert, to be held Dec. 12 and streamed online at CP’s Facebook page. JoJo Mason, Logan Staats, and Kelly […]

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Digest: ‘Rhythm of the Rails’ concert lifts locomotive restoration project past matching-funds milestone

Rhythm of the Rails concert logo

More Thursday morning rail news: 

Concert helps NC&StL No. 576 project reach matching-funds goal
 The “Rhythm of the Rails” online concert featuring Marty Stuart, Harry Stinson, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Cristina Vale has been viewed more than 50,000 times and has put the fundraising effort for Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis No. 576 over […]

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MRL honors veterans, essential workers with special locomotives

MRL SD70ACe No. 4407

MISSOULA, Mont. – In honor of veterans across Montana, Montana Rail Link has unveiled a special locomotive thanking veterans for their service. In the coming weeks, the railroad will unveil a second locomotive thanking all essential workers for their many contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both locomotives serve as symbols of our appreciation for veterans and […]

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