Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway launches 2022 season

Lehigh_Gorge_Hartley

JIM THORPE, Pa. — The Reading & Northern has launched its 2022 season of Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway excursions from the borough of Jim Thorpe. Trains will operate from Jim Thorpe on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. for 70-minute route trips into the Lehigh Gorge State Park. The trains […]

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News Wire Top 10, No. 4: East Broad Top’s revival continues

Steam locomotive on turntable

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — The narrow gauge East Broad Top Railroad plans to celebrate 2022 as another milestone – the 150th anniversary of the start of construction in 1872 — with more track restoration and a return to steam-locomotive operation. If 2020 was the year of a miraculous rebirth for the historic south-central Pennsylvania line, […]

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Fillmore & Western equipment comes to Illinois museum

Red wooden passenger car is loaded on to truck trailer

VOLO, Ill. — The first of seven pieces of equipment from the defunct Fillmore & Western have arrived at the Volo Auto Museum, which plans to open a railroad attraction in 2022. The Lake Zurich Patch website reports a 4-4-0 locomotive and passenger cars featured in the movie “The Lone Ranger,” along with cars from […]

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Kentucky Steam, Railroad Museum of New England announce operating agreement for C&O No. 2716

Kentucky Steam Heritage steam engine 2716 restoration in shop

IRVINE, Ky. — Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp., the organization restoring Chesapeake & Ohio Kanawha-type 2-8-4 No. 2716, has announced an agreement to bring the locomotive to the Railroad Museum of New England as the first stop of a year-long “residency program” following completion of the restoration project. Announcement of the plans to operate at the […]

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Major private collection of steam locomotives is sold to Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (updated)

Line of steam locomotives in disrepair

MERRILL, Ore. — What is perhaps the single largest private collection of steam locomotives, mostly from the western U.S., has been sold and will soon be dispersed following the death of its long-time owner. The Fred M. Kepner collection of 14 steam locomotives and other railroad equipment has been purchased by the Oregon Coast Scenic […]

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Western Maryland Scenic No. 1309 makes successful test run

Steam locomotive at station

CUMBERLAND, Md. — Western Maryland Scenic Railroad made a successful test run on Thursday over the tourist line’s 16-mile route between Cumberland and Frostburg, moving closer to its scheduled debut in Polar Express service. The Cumberland Times-News quotes Western Maryland Scenic general manager Wesley Heinz as saying the 2-6-6-2 “ran trouble free. There will be […]

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East Broad Top gets $1.1 million from state for restoring track, other projects

Rusted metal bridge over water

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. – East Broad Top Railroad has been awarded a $1.1 million state grant to rebuild 7.8 miles of track between the company’s headquarters in Rockhill Furnace and the towns of Three Springs and Saltillo, and to support related EBT projects. The grant awarded Wednesday, Dec. 8, is the first step toward reopening […]

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‘Dragon’ train makes debut in New Mexico

Train with elaborate paint scheme and flatcar with giant Christmas packages in desert scenery

LAMY, N.M. — It’s been over 18 months since George R.R. Martin, Catherine Oppenheimer,  Bill Banowsky, and several others bought the Santa Fe Southern Railroad and started the transformation to what is now Sky Railway.  Based in Lamy, the railroad has seen several owners since the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe ended operations in 1992 […]

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Nevada Northern Railway’s 2-8-0 No. 81 in steam

Steam locomotive with white smoke plume seen from a low angle.

In Fall 2021, Nevada Northern Railway celebrated the return of 2-8-0 Consolidation-type steam locomotive No. 81 after sitting cold for decades. No. 81’s return also coincided with the 81st anniversary of Trains Magazine, whose staff cancelled most celebrations in 2020 because of the on-going pandemic. Join Trains Editor Jim Wrinn, Nevada Northern crews, and a […]

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Cumbres & Toltec sets 2022 schedule, offers Cyber Monday ticket deal

Cumbres_Toltec_Lassen

CHAMA, N.M. — The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has announced its 2022 schedule, just weeks after concluding the 2021 season, and is offering a Cyber Monday special on tickets today (Monday, Nov. 29). “We wanted to get out early and build on the incredible success and momentum of our 2021 season,” railroad President Scott […]

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Trains Magazine, Western Maryland Scenic announce 1309 event

Large steam locomotive, shining after restoration

CUMBERLAND, Md. — Trains Magazine and Western Maryland Scenic Railroad are pleased to announce the first enthusiast event to celebrate return of newly restored 2-6-6-2 No. 1309, to be held Feb. 25-27, 2022. The three-day event will be limited to 100 participants and will include a night run on the legendary Western Maryland Railway main […]

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