The Cass Scenic Railroad | Cass, W.Va.

The Cass Scenic Railroad is logging locomotive central for the East Coast, rostering all three major types of geared steam locomotives. The railroad is based out of Cass, W.Va., where a former logging railroad was saved in the 1960s to become the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park to preserve the railroad for future generations. Come […]

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Don Sims covers Nevada Northern Railway

Diesel locomotive with freight train by wooden water tank

The Nevada Northern Railway might be the most remote railroad attraction in the Lower 48, and it’s also one of the most valuable. Just ask any of the thousands of people who make the trek each year out to windswept Ely, the east-central Nevada town that hosts one of our finest steam operations. Headlined by […]

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Climbing over La Mesa Model Railroad Club’s Tehachapi Subdivision

Climbing over La Mesa Model Railroad Club’s Tehachapi Subdivision | In this Trains.com Video Exclusive Layout Extra, our staff captures trackside views of both freight and passenger train forging the enormous 42 x 80-foot HO (1:87) scale public display depicting the route over Southern California’s famed Tehachapi Loop. Sit back and enjoy this extended reel […]

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Milwaukee zoo railroad to run steam locomotive on 10 dates in August

Small-gauge steam locomotive doubleheader

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee County Zoo, which will close out its history of steam-powered train operations later this year, plans to operate its remaining steam locomotive for its 15-inch gauge railroad, 4-6-2 No. 1924, on 10 days in August, most of them weekends. Scheduled operating dates are Aug. 9-10, 15-18, 23-24, and 30-31. Dates are […]

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Railroading Heritage of Midwest America | Silvis, Ill.

Headquartered in the former Rock Island Railroad steam locomotive backshops in Silvis, Ill., Railroading Heritage of Midwest America is quickly becoming a major player in the rail preservation scene.  The new owner of famed Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985 and DDA40X Centennial diesel No. 6936, the RRHMA is the proud owner of a large […]

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Rare images of Reading 2102 on the P&LE

Smoking steam locomotive on curve along river

Of all the mainline steam locomotives running these days — and there is an uncanny amount of them — I can’t think of one with as many distinct transitions as Reading 4-8-4 No. 2102. By my count, she’s a cat with at least five lives, with four more to go, if you believe that sort […]

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Two-day freight photo charter offered with Soo Line No. 1003

Steam engine in snow

Ethan Brodie and Brodie Photography are organizing a two-day photo charter in November featuring Soo Line No. 1003, the 1913 Alco 2-8-2 operated by the Hartford, Wis.-based Steam Locomotive Heritage Association. One- and two-day tickets will be offered for the event Nov. 2-03, which will feature No. 1003 pulling a freight train including additional cars […]

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N scale Reading T-1 from Broadway Limited

Screen capture of N scale steam locomotive on scenicked model railroad.

An N scale Reading T-1 from Broadway Limited recently visited our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route layout. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he gives a short history of the full-size 4-8-4; points out the many separate, factory-applied details on the model; and demonstrates the light and sound functions on the Paragon4-equipped steam […]

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N scale Reading T-1 from Broadway Limited

Screen capture of N scale steam locomotive on scenicked model railroad.

An N scale Reading T-1 from Broadway Limited recently visited our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route layout. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he gives a short history of the full-size 4-8-4; points out the many separate, factory-applied details on the model; and demonstrates the light and sound functions on the Paragon4-equipped steam […]

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