The sun is setting both literally and figuratively on the Rio Grande Zephyr in this view on the Dotsero Cutoff at Dell, Colorado. When it gets to Denver, the RGZ will cease to exist,... (more)

The westbound Rio Grande Zephyr makes its station stop at Glenwood Springs, Colorado. In the background, a station worker has the baggage cart positioned to service the baggage car.

The Rio Grande had full faith in its ability to get freight trains over the road in a timely fashion. Train 87 left Denver about an hour ahead of the Rio Grande Zephyr, and didn’t expect ... (more)

In the company of an MP15 over a quarter-century its junior, a Union Railroad TR5 set idles in front of the railroad’s roundhouse at Hall, Pennsylvania. Anyone who read model railroading magazin... (more)

The pending storm didn’t blow them over, but several cars have derailed and plugged the south lead of Delaware & Hudson’s Taylor yard. It looks like there won’t be any trains running on this... (more)

It’s Conrail’s first birthday, and a late-afternoon overview of Allentown yard yields a glimpse of the early progression of Conrail’s brand. On the heavy side yard throat, unrepainted Lehigh... (more)

I only had one brief encounter with the Bangor and Aroostook. I was in the area to attend a college football game, and a friend and I went to Northern Maine Junction after the game. The office was... (more)

Penn Central GP30 2208 switches the former Reading yard in Rutherford, Pennsylvania. Within a few years, the yard would be closed as part of Conrail’s operational streamlining, and all Harrisbur... (more)

As out-of-place as Susquehanna’s antiquated Alcos looked on a stack train, the caboose on the other end was just as much a rarity. By this time, waycars were almost unheard of on intermodal trai... (more)

When we arrived in Vinemont, Pennsylvania to photograph Conrail local WHRE-10, we were greeted by a Collie who wanted to be petted. When the train approached, the friendly pooch decided to pose fo... (more)

Reading train BH-15 (Bethlehem - Harrisburg). with 122 cars, makes its way through Allentown yard on the LV (ex-CNJ) main line. Originating in Saucon Yard, the train will get back on Reading rails... (more)

Last and First

The highest- and lowest-numbered of Norfolk & Western’s, as well as Nickel Plate’s, nine RSD12’s work out their final years at N&W’s coal docks at Lambert’... (more)

A trio of Chicago & North Western C628’s are parked in the ore yard at Escanaba, Michigan.

Amtrak inherited a fleet of RS3's from PC when Conrail was formed. Three of them were eventually rebuilt with EMD prime movers. Here, recently-rebuilt 106 idles between assignments at the Providen... (more)

A Sad Day at Strasburg

Today, I saw reports that Strasburg’s ex-Norfolk & Western 4-8-0 had an encounter with some MOW equipment at Leamon Place, resulting in a damaged smokebox,... (more)