Video Extra: New York Central steam around Buffalo

In his article “Boyhood Fascination with New York Central Steam” in the Winter 2008 issue of Classic Trains, author Fred Furminger recalls the mid-1950s when he, as a bike-riding teenager in Buffalo, photographed the final years of steam on NYC’s Michigan Central. Here’s a sampling of the 8mm movies he took then, including his homemade […]

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A look back in time: October 1958

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As of October 1, 1958, Class I railroads own or lease 27,622 diesel locomotives, 1,532 steam locomotives, and 559 electrics. . . . Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line are mulling a merger. . . . New York Central unveils a system for transporting ballistic missiles in conventional 70-foot baggage cars. . . . […]

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A look back in time: September 1958

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New Jersey challenges the constitutionality of the Transportation Act of 1958, under whose provisions the Erie and New York Central seek to discontinue their Hudson River ferry service. . . . Reading Company completes a $500,000 upgrade at its Port Richmond Marine Terminal on the Delaware River in Philadelphia; new ore-unloading machinery nearly doubles the […]

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A look back in time: August 1958

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SP announces it is standardizing on silver livery for all passenger equipment; although Armour yellow will be retained for cars assigned to Overland Route trains, SP’s tow-tone gray and bright Daylight colors will fade away. . . . On August 12, the Transportation Act of 1958 is signed into law. Among its provisions are greater […]

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Stove Pipe Wells

Track plan at a glance Name: Stove Pipe WellsScale: N (1:160) narrow gauge (Nn3)Size: 4′-1″ x 9′-0″Theme: mining short lineEra: 1870s to 1950s, depending upon rolling stock usedStyle: portableMainline run: 34′-6″Minimum radius: 10″Minimum turnout: no. 5Maximum grade: 5 percentOriginally appeared in the December 2006 issue of Model Railroader.Also appeared in 102 Realistic Track Plans.Click on […]

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