Early Burlington Northern locomotives in review

Freshly painted green-and-black diesel locomotive in front of freight cars in yard

  When the long-anticipated “Hill Lines” merger finally created the Burlington Northern on March 2, 1970, it was time not to mourn the loss of a favorite, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, but to embrace and record the details of the changeover. I had been through this six years before, when the Norfolk & Western […]

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Mike Eagleson was all about steam

Steam steam locomotives with passenger train on curve

The trend toward professional archival preservation of the work of major railroad photographers continues, lately with the news that the huge collection of negatives, slides, and films of the late Mike Eagleson has gone to the Industrial Archives & Library based in Bethlehem, Pa. This is a big “get” for the IAL, buttressing its mission […]

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10 must-visit historic railroad towns

Passenger train with Chicago skyline in background

Visiting a railroad town can take you on a journey through not only the town itself, but also its railroading’s past, present, and even future. Whether you’re just passing through or have an opportunity to stay for an extended getaway, consider these 10 must-visit historic railroad towns that’ll range from the OG of railroad towns […]

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Railway 200: Celebrating railroading’s bicentennial

Steam locomotive with a short passenger train rolling through the English countryside

In 2025, the United Kingdom is celebrating Railway 200, marking the bi-centenary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, which opened for service on Sept. 27, 1825. More than just an historical commemoration, Railway 200 is a great public awareness campaign encompassing dozens of separately organized events across the UK and beyond aiming to entertain, educate […]

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Lake States Railway Historical Association sets lineup for annual symposium

Logo of Lake States Railway Historical Association

BARABOO, Wis. — The non-profit Lake States Railway Historical Association has announced presenters for its expanded Railroad History Symposium to be held April 12 in Baraboo. The symposium is the largest fundraising event of the year for LSRHA. Changes this year include moving the event to the Al Ringling Theatre in Baraboo, built in 1915 […]

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Ticket sales resume for Alstom event marking 200 years of railways

Steam locomotive and diesel outside factory

DERBY, England — Ticket sales have resumed for Alstom’s event at its Derby factory celebrating the 200th anniversary of railroading, after initial demand crashed the servers of the third-party ticketing company. A new company is handling the ticketing, the BBC reports. The three-day “Greatest Gathering” event, Aug. 1-3, will open Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works to […]

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Michael Eagleson collection donated to Pennsylvania foundation

Tank steam engine moving gondola cars

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The photo and film collection of the late rail photographer and author Michael A. Eagleston has been donated to the Industrial Archives & Library, a private nonprofit foundation in Bethelem. The Eagleson collection spans more than 60 years and helps document the end of the steam locomotive in the U.S. and worldwide. […]

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Virginia’s only Alco short line

Two diesel locomotives cross a bridge on an overcast fall day

Most Alco fans head for the Northeast’s safe haven of Alco-operating short line railroads. But viewing Virginia’s only Alco short line requires a visit to Shenandoah Valley Railroad (SVRR). The SVRR is a 20.1-mile railroad between Staunton, Va., and Pleasant Valley, Va., along the intersection of Interstates 81 and 64 in the Commonwealth’s Shenandoah Valley. […]

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Reading & Northern buys Penn Valley passenger cars (updated)

SUNBURY, Pa. — After 27 years of running holiday passenger trains, fund-raising excursions, and shipper specials, owner Jeff Pontius of Penn Valley Railroad LLC has sold his fleet of seven passenger cars to the Reading & Northern Railroad. R&N announced that it would receive the cars today (Jan. 14, 2025) and outlined the planned move […]

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Nickel Plate No. 765 set for return to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Steam locomotive sits on bridge during ceremony.

PENINSULA, Ohio — Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 765 will return to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for six days in April and May as part of the “Steam in the Valley” series of excursions, the heritage railway has announced. The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s 1944 Lima locomotive is set for excursions on April […]

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Train Sim World 5 | Product Overview

Train Sim World 5 is now available on a wide variety of platforms, including on PC, Xbox One and Series S|X, PlayStation 4 and 5, plus Steam Deck and via Epic Games Store. Join Trains.com talent Bryson Sleppy, as he walks you through TSW 5’s immersive virtual world of railroading…one that has growing appeal to […]

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Exhibition of paintings, photos by longtime Trains contributor Ron Flanary is set

Painting of passenger train with steam locomotive

BIG STONE GAP, Va. – A  three-week exhibition of railroad watercolors and photographs by author and Trains contributor Ron Flanary is scheduled to begin Jan. 17 on the campus of Mountain Empire Community College. Titled “The Tracks of my Years,” the display of 30 pieces consists of about two-thirds photos and one-third paintings, all made […]

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