2011“Geology Train” all set to “rock” on Cumbres & Toltec Railroad!

Posted on April 3, 2011 by admin

Cumbres &Toltec Scenic Railroad Steam 2-8-2 Photo by Brian Jansky – UP Wings

A special “Geology Train” excursion will run on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad this summer.  Leaving  Antonito, Colo. this 2011 special geology train will travel the 64-mile railroad to Chama, NM.  A team of geologists on board will be there to  interpret  the various geologic points of interest.

Departing on June 26th, a special geology train will leave Antonito, Colorado and proceed along the spectacular geology en route to Chama, New Mexico. But simply experiencing the incredible overviews of the Rio Grande Rift, the eruptive evidence of the San Juan Volcanic field, the Precambrian core of the Tusas Mountains, recent glacial deposits, and snapshots of the Jurassic, will not be enough. The geology train will be making several  stops at various rock formations  and cuts along the right of way that will allow passengers to mingle and take photographs.
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McCloud Steam Engine No. 25 Coming to Oregon Coast Scenic Railway

Posted on April 1, 2011 by admin

McCloud Railway 2-6-2 No. 25 has left its California home of 86 years and has been  shipped to its new location in Oregon. Crews spent much of the week loading the engine and tender onto trucks inside the shop at McCloud, Calif., after heavy snows made it impossible to load outside. The 1925 Alco has long been an icon at this lumber railroad that runs along the base of Mount Shasta. The engine has been sold to the Oregon Coast Scenic Railway in Garibaldi, Ore.
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Posted in Steam Locomotives | 2 Comments

Tennessee Valley RR to add Southern 630 Steam

Posted on March 23, 2011 by admin

Southern Railway 630 shines in the sunlight for a special photo/video shoot. Photo by Mark S. Wurst

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s 1904 Alco, No. 630, began test runs Saturday after a 13-year rebuild and a long period of inactivity  beginning  in  1989. The Southern Railway 2-8-0 returned to steam was completed in less than a year.  The engine and a wood Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis caboose went for break-in runs on the museum’s railroad.

After putting about 30 miles on 630  everything was running fine.  Al Phillips of the restoration team said  “We still have some detail work to do, but we think she’s going to be a good horse.”

Break-in runs will continue, and the engine is scheduled to begin pulling regular Missionary Ridge Local trains on the museum grounds starting April 2.
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2011 Grand Canyon Railway Photo Charter

Posted on March 15, 2011 by admin
Grand Canyon's 4PM "Cataract Creek Rambler" works the grade into Williams in setting sunlight. The 4960, powered by waste vegatable oil, smelled more like funnel cakes than the french fry aroma that the photographer was expecting.

Grand Canyon’s 4PM “Cataract Creek Rambler” works the grade into Williams in setting sunlight.

The Grand Canyon Railway is one of America’s premiere tourist railroads. Although the railroad operates year round, their 1923 steam locomotive, 2-8-2 #4960, will  operate on May 14-15, 2011,  just a few of the select days for all of 2011. Lerro Productions has been given the unique opportunity to operate a photo charter on their railroad with #4960.

 

Due to the nature of the line as well as the speed at which the trains operate, the railroad is extremely hard to chase and photograph. This photo charter will give you the best opportunity to experience and photograph this railroad like never before. Enjoy photographing the train at sunrise and sunset on each day and be at all the best locations at just the right time. During our lunch break, take in the breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon itself, which is only a few yards away from the station.

 

 

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Civil War era Great Locomotive Chase Movie Review

Posted on March 14, 2011 by admin

Walt Disney’s The Great Locomotive Chase tells a true Civil War railroad story about the Andrews Raiders, a team of 24 Union spies.
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Posted in Reviews, Steam Locomotives, Trains in the Movies | 1 Comment

Southern Pacific Daylight 4449 July Excursions

Posted on March 12, 2011 by admin

Photo by Ken Kuehne

Operators of the  Southern Pacific 4-8-4 steam locomotive No. 4449  have announced that it will traverse the Columbia River Gorge over BNSF rails July 2 and 3.  The train will depart Portland Union Station for Wishram, Wash., with a stop at Vancouver, Wash.

The Friends of 4449 are in the final stages of coordinating with Amtrak and BNSF to run two round-trips up the Columbia Gorge this summer. They  plan to run on Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3, 2011. Departing  will be from Portland Union Station for Wishram, WA, with a stop at Vancouver, WA. The trip will include a barbecue lunch served in Wishram, WA, before returning to Portland.
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2011 Tourist Trains Guidebook

Posted on March 10, 2011 by admin

The newest tourist rail handbook for 2011 is boasting of having more full-page reviews than previous years and has been thoroughly updated and accurized. The third edition of the Tourist Trains Guidebook, gives train fans and those who like to travel a detailed look at 175 of the most popular train attractions in North America. The guidebook also lists 300 additional train rides, museums and historical depots of interest. Also included are regional maps showing the location of the sites . With the updated Tourist Trains Guidebook 3, train lovers can plan vacations centered around railroading or beef up the itinerary of an existing trip with a train ride or visit to a train-centric site.

Inside the 2011 tourist guidebook by Trains magazine you will also find valuable discounts for over 70 major railroad attractions that will more than pay for the book after using them the first time.
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Heber Valley Railroad Funding Details Released

Posted on March 9, 2011 by admin

UP 2-8-0 #618 leads the 'Provo Canyon Limited' Photo by James Belmont

HEBER CITY, Utah — Details about  Heber Valley Railroad‘s new funding from Heber City were released and should be enough to help it keep operations going during a tough winter. The town has donated $15,000 to the cause, and will offer an additional $10,000 in financing if other public bodies agree to contribute as well.

“We went in against all odds last night and came out with a favorable result,” said Craig Lacey, Heber Valley’s general manager.

After a Dec. 19  mudslide closed Heber Valley’s line between Decker Bay and Deer Creek Dam,  shorter Christmas Train trips resulted in  less revenue. Other winter operations were completely shut down.
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Source Code Movie Release Date set for April 1

Posted on March 8, 2011 by admin

A film crew for the upcoming movie “Source Code” had been filming in Orland Park with Metra on April 10th. A Private train headed to Union Station picks up passengers as well.

Author:metraRI

Filled with mind-boggling twists and heart-pounding suspense, Source Code is a smart action-thriller directed by Duncan Jones (Moon) also starring Michelle Monaghan (Eagle Eye, Due Date), Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air, The Departed), and Jeffrey Wright (Quantum of Solace, Syriana).
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Triple-Header Steam on Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad

Posted on March 6, 2011 by admin

RailsNW is pleased to once again present a specialty charter with the Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad out of Elbe, WA. In a unique triple-header steam locomotive  opportunity, we will start our journey by traveling across the Nisqually River bridge to Mineral Lake for a catered BBQ lunch. We will then continue out down the line after lunch, making our way to a large wooden trestle at Divide. The afternoon will be filled with amazing scenery and many photographic encounters.

The trip will use  three restored steam locomotives:the Rayonier #2, a Willamette geared engine which just returned to service in 2009, the West Fork Logging 3-truck Heisler, and assuming all proceeds on schedule, the Polson Lumber #70, a Baldwin 2-8-2 rod locomotive. Please note that final motive power is at the discretion of railroad personnel. As this trip has very limited space available, it is  highly recommend making your reservations ASAP.

Phone: 503-292-5055 if you have any questions, or you can  book online.

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