Friends of the 261 National Railroad Day 2012 Excursion

Posted on January 25, 2012 by admin
261 Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids, newly renovated one-of-a-kind observation car

This May,  Friends of the 261 is offering another “trip back in time” opportunity to ride vintage passenger cars from the Twin Cities to Milwaukee and then on to Chicago behind Amtrak’s Empire Builder. Comfortably relax aboard fully restored luxury cars offering an all premium class journey that you’re sure to cherish for years to come! Meticulously refurbished, these cars recall the era when traveling was half the fun of a vacation. Dining and beverages are included in this memorable travel experience.
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Florida Christmas Light Extravaganza Train Ride

Posted on December 19, 2011 by admin

Dinner on the Seminole Gulf Railway Dinner Train

The Seminole Gulf Railway Murder Mystery Dinner Train runs a holiday special during the month of December that includes a Florida style Christmas Light Extravaganza tour from Ft Myers to Charlotte Harbor’s  waterfront canals. There is no mystery performance on this Christmas Rail/Boat trip, just the spectacular display of holiday lights in a Florida waterfront setting and fine dinning.
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Train Simulator 2012 Review

Posted on December 16, 2011 by admin

Tri Synergy Railworks 3 Train Simulator - 2012

The future of Train simulation is here. The  Train Simulator  2012 puts you right inside the cab, driving incredibly realistic steam, diesel and electric trains on stunning real-world routes in the US, UK and Germany.

Choose from  steam, diesel or electric trains powered trains. Take control  of an AMTRAK train! The most important fact about this simulator is that this is REAL. You are in control of the locomotive and all the intricate responsibilities associated with the safe operations of the entire train.
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Strasburg Railroad-Final Chance to Enjoy Day Out With Thomas™ in 2011!

Posted on November 10, 2011 by admin

Strasburg Rail Road Final Chance to Enjoy Day Out With Thomas™ in 2011!

Day out with Thomas-Strasburg railroad

Thomas the Tank Engine pulls into the station at Strasburg Rail Road for his final 2011 visit at the end of this month.  Don’t miss your chance to ride aboard a train pulled by a real steam Thomas and enjoy all the fun at the station. It’s also a great time to do some Christmas shopping for your little Thomas & Friends fans! November 18-20, 2011.

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Santa Express Trains coming to Royal Gorge Route

Posted on November 9, 2011 by admin

After another adventure through the Gorge, passengers begin to depart while others take the opportunity to get photos of this fancy looking F-Unit. Phot by Frank Orona

Colorado’s Royal Gorge Route Railroad will begin the holiday season with this years first Santa Express Train scheduled to begin on Nov. 18. The railroad is expecting a large turnout this year. It anticipates carrying more than 20,000 passengers, a 6,000-passenger increase over last year.
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Santa Fe 3751 to run May 2012 Grand Canyon excursions

Posted on November 4, 2011 by admin

The excursion train with Santa Fe 4-8-4 3751, heading from Los Angeles to San Diego, passes through the flowers at Poinsettia, just south of Carlsbad, on California’s Surf Line. Photo by Douglas G. Walker

Plans for Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 3751 to pull excursion trains from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon in May 2012 are being finalized. This 9 day steam excursion will be operated under contract with Amtrak, BNSF, Grand Canyon and the Arizona & California Railroads. Trains and Travel International of Reno and Central Coast Railway Club from Santa Clara, Calif., will jointly sponsor trips to and from the Grand Canyon. Reservations and ticket sales can be made through Trains & Travel International, while the Central Coast Railway Club will be in charge of the operating portion of the excursion.
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Norfolk & Western 611 will be the “Spirit of Roanoke”

Posted on November 2, 2011 by admin

N&W 611 receives new designation: “Spirit of Roanoke”

Norfolk & Western 611 departing Ashville, NC 1994

The only Norfolk & Western J-class 4-8-4 in existence today has a new designation: “The Spirit of Roanoke.” The Norfolk & Western 611 steam locomotive is currently on displayed at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke.

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Take the Throttle at North Carolina Transportation Museum

Posted on October 30, 2011 by admin
Lehigh Valley Coal 126 and 75

The latest restoration project of John and Barney Gramling leads a triple header at Train Festival 2011. Behind Lehigh Valley Coal Co. 126 is Flagg Coal Co. 75 and Viscose Company 6. Photo by Nick Ozorak

Lehigh Valley Coal 0-6-0 saddle tank steam locomotive No. 126 will visit the North Carolina Transportation Museum during November and December. Visitors will be able to run the locomotive part as part of the museum’s “At the Throttle” program.

Vulcan Iron Works of Wilkes Barre, Pa., built No. 126 in 1931. The engine is now owned by Barney and John Gramling of Ashley, Ind., who also own Flagg Coal 0-4-0 No. 75. Through the Gramlings “Have Engine, Will Travel” program the two locomotives are trucked around the United States visiting various heritage railways and museums.
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Polar Express on Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge

Posted on October 28, 2011 by admin
K-36 #486

K-36 #486 leads the southbound daily winter train back to Durango after making a brief water stop at Hermosa. Photo by Chris Starnes

Colorado’s  Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad will begin their 2011 Polar Express™ train rides on November 18 and run through December 28. Polar Express trains will depart the Durango depot three times daily.

The Polar Express™ comes to life when the real train pulls out of the station with your family on board. The train will transport you to the North Pole where Santa will be waiting.

On this magical journey, guests on board the train will enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while reading along or listening to this classic award winning storybook. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride.
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Union Pacific 844 Schedule

Posted on October 11, 2011 by admin

Union Pacific 844 is scheduled to make New Mexico trips for state centennial

Union Pacific 844

Union Pacific Railroad’s historic steam locomotive, No. 844, celebrates the railroad’s history and heritage with a first ever jaunt into New Mexico on May 07, 2006. Photo by Mitch Goldman

Union Pacific 4-8-4 will visit the railroad’s New Mexico lines in November to commemorate the state’s centennial. The train will cross the former Rock Island “Golden State Route,” then the former Southern Pacific “Sunset Route.”

The Union Pacific 844 is housed at the Cheyenne, Wyoming Roadhouse. The 1944 Alco built 4-8-4 is  the only one of 45 Northern type steam locomotives built for the Union Pacific Railroad still operating today.
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