Rail News

Published: February 13, 2026

This page provides a portal to the latest in rail news, from preservation and restortation subjects to other notable topics. For any museums, heritage railroads, freight railroads, or other organizations interested in having their news story(s) posted here please do not hesitate to reach out!

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Commuter Rail

RTA To Become The Northern Illinois Transit Authority
Later this year, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)—the umbrella agency that plans and funds public transportation across the Chicago region—will be reorganized into a new entity: the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA).
MBTA Unveils New Haven-Inspired Locomotive
he Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has pulled back the curtain on its newest heritage locomotive, F40PH-3C No. 1071, wearing a bold, New Haven–inspired paint scheme that pays tribute to the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad.
Sound Transit Set to Launch Cross-Lake Service
For the first time in the region’s modern transit era, Sound Transit light rail trains will soon carry passengers directly across Lake Washington
CTDOT May Swap Shore Line East’s Electrics For Diesels
Connecticut’s Shore Line East (SLE) commuter rail service—one of the state’s most scenic and strategically important passenger corridors—could soon see a major operational change.
Siemens Mobility Tapped To Modernize Tri-Rail Fleet
South Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter service is preparing for a significant motive-power upgrade after the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) announced it has selected Siemens Mobility to supply seven new Charger diesel-electric locomotives.
LA Metro’s A Line Extension Study Forecasts $1.1B in Economic Output
The next eastern push of LA Metro’s A Line—extending light-rail service beyond Pomona to Claremont—has gained fresh momentum amid new economic analysis projecting more than $1.1 billion in economic output.
Tri-Rail Sets New Ridership Record in 2025
South Florida’s commuter rail service Tri-Rail has achieved a new annual ridership milestone, carrying more than 4.5 million passengers in calendar year 2025.
Minnesota's Northstar Commuter Rail Ends Service
Metro Transit has confirmed that Northstar service between downtown Minneapolis (Target Field Station) and Big Lake has ceased, with expanded bus service along the corridor beginning Jan. 5, 2026.
MBTA Sees Over 29 Million Trips in 2025
In a milestone year for regional public transit, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) reported that its Commuter Rail network handled more than 29 million individual trips during 2025.
Virginia Railway Express Surpasses 100 Million Riders
In October 2025, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) reached one of the most significant milestones in its history, officially carrying its 100 millionth passenger since beginning operations more than three decades ago.
South Shore Line to Launch Monon Corridor Service March 31
After years of planning, funding, and construction, the South Shore Line is set to inaugurate its long-awaited Monon Corridor service on March 31, 2026.
BNSF, Metra Reach New 10-Year Passenger Service Agreement
In a significant development for commuter rail in the Chicago region, BNSF Railway and Metra have reached a new long-term agreement that will extend passenger service on the busy BNSF Line for another decade.

Diesel

Metrolink F59PH 851 Preserved In Fullerton, CA
Metrolink has donated locomotive No. 851—its first rostered unit—to the Fullerton Train Museum, where it will be displayed and interpreted as a cornerstone artifact from the region’s modern passenger-rail era.
New York & Lake Erie Unveils M636 No. 636 In New Colors (2025)
In mid-May 2025, railfans along the former Erie rails in Western New York were treated to a sight that feels increasingly rare in North American railroading: a big M636 in new paint.
Norfolk Southern To Buy 40 New Wabtec ES44ACs
Norfolk Southern has announced it will acquire 40 brand-new Wabtec ES44AC locomotives, marking the Class I railroad’s first purchase of new locomotives since 2022.
Cincinnati Scenic Railway To Acquire B&O GP30
The Cincinnati Scenic Railway, through an agreement with the Raritan Central Railway, to acquire former B&O GP30 #6923, currently lettered as RCRY #5.
NS Completes 1,000th DC-to-AC Locomotive Conversion
In October 2025, Norfolk Southern Railway reached one of the most significant mechanical milestones in modern North American railroading, announcing completion of its 1,000th DC-to-AC locomotive conversion,.
Nevada Museum Acquires Amtrak F40PHR 315
The Nevada State Railroad Museum has stated they have acquired Amtrak F40PHR 315 from Western Rail, Inc. where it will be used for static display.

Freight Rail

CSX Taps Wabtec For $670M Locomotive And Digital Upgrade
CSX Transportation says it is moving to refresh and standardize a major piece of its operating fleet, announcing a $670 million agreement with Wabtec.
Union Pacific, Wabtec Ink $1.2B Deal To Modernize AC4400 Fleet
Union Pacific has signed a $1.2 billion agreement with Wabtec to modernize a significant portion of its GE AC4400 fleet, doubling down on the strategy of rebuilding proven high-horsepower road units rather than replacing them outright.
UP, NS Set April 30 Date To Refile Merger Application
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have told federal regulators they will submit a revised merger application on April 30, restarting the formal review process for what would become one of the most consequential railroad consolidations in decades.
BNSF Activates PTC on Former Montana Rail Link Territory
BNSF Railway has fully implemented Positive Train Control (PTC) on what it now calls the Montana Rail Link (MRL) Subdivision.
Canadian National Marks 30 Years Since Privatization
Canadian National Railway marked a milestone last fall that helped redefine not only the company, but the modern Canadian freight-rail landscape: 30 years since CN went private.
Cando Rail & Terminals to Acquire Savage Rail
Cando Rail & Terminals has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Savage Rail, the U.S. rail-services business of Savage Enterprises LLC.
BNSF Breaks Ground on New Logistics Center
BNSF Railway has officially broken ground on a major new logistics facility in North Texas, marking the beginning of construction on the Logistics Center North Dallas.
BNSF Unveils "America250" Heritage Locomotives
BNSF Railway today rolled out three specially painted locomotives honoring America’s 250th birthday, featuring bold red, white, and blue liveries and the official America250 logo.

Heritage

NS Unveils Third “Landmark Series” Locomotive
Norfolk Southern has officially introduced ES44AC No. 8184, the third locomotive in its new “Landmark Series,” a program that spotlights the historic rail cities and communities that helped shape both the railroad and the nation’s industrial story.
Metro-North Unveils Veterans Heritage Locomotive
The Metro-North Railroad marked Veterans Day 2025 with the unveiling of a striking new heritage locomotive honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s military veterans.
CPKC Unveils KCS 1776 Honoring America’s 250th
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today officially unveiled a striking new commemorative locomotive, KCS 1776, a specially painted Tier 4 ET44AC designed to celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.
CN Unveils Two America250 Locomotives
Canadian National (CN) announced today the launch of its America250 celebration, unveiling two specially painted locomotives that will operate across the railroad’s U.S. network in tribute to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence in 2026.
Reading & Northern Unveils Semiquincentennial 1776
In November 2025, the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad (RBMN)—commonly known as the Reading & Northern—announced the debut of a striking patriotic locomotive commemorating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.
NS Unveils "Chicago" Landmark Series Locomotive
Norfolk Southern recently unveiled its latest in its "Landmark Series" series of locomotives, #8183 "Chicago."
RJ Corman To Unveil 250th Anniversary C40-8Ws 1776 & 2026
The RJ Corman Railroad Group has announced it will unveil a pair of specially painted C40-8Ws to honor America's 250th anniversary later this summer.
Metro-North Unveils "America250" Heritage Locomotive
The Metro-North Railroad has unveiled its "America250" heritage locomotive, P32AC-DM #250, wearing a patriotic red, white, and blue livery.
Naugatuck Railroad Unveils "America250" U23B 2798
Connecticut’s Naugatuck Railroad has given its GE U23B a striking new semiquincentennial livery, drawing direct inspiration from the Delaware & Hudson’s celebrated bicentennial units of the mid-1970s.
Reading & Northern Showcases "America250" Caboose
The Reading & Northern has unveiled repainted PRR N-8 caboose #94850 in "America250" colors. The car made its first run on May 8, 2026.

Industry

CPKC Holiday Train Sets New Record In 2025
Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) beloved Holiday Train wrapped up its 2025 tour with a milestone that underscores just how powerful a community tradition can become.
CSX Advances Locomotive Technology to Cut Fuel Use and Emissions
CSX recently highlighted major progress on its ongoing efforts to reduce fuel consumption, cut greenhouse-gas emissions, and improve operational efficiency across its freight rail network through advanced locomotive technology.
New Documentary Charts Iowa Interstate's History
A newly released documentary is shining a spotlight on one of the Midwest’s most distinctive regional railroads: the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS).
CPKC Sets New January Grain-Haul Record
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) says it has opened 2026 with a new benchmark in Canadian grain transportation, announcing that the railway moved a record volume of grain and grain products in January.
Norfolk Southern Unveils Advanced Wheel Integrity System
In a bid to further strengthen rail safety and defect detection, Norfolk Southern Railway has introduced a cutting-edge Wheel Integrity System, marking what the Class I carrier calls a significant breakthrough in predictive safety technology.
Pinsly Restores Freight Service On Alabama Short Line
After more than a year without trains, freight rail service has returned to a key industrial corridor in southern Alabama.
CSX Completes Avon Yard Hump Lead Extension
CSX says it has finished a key infrastructure upgrade at its Avon Yard in Indianapolis, completing the “cutover” of a newly extended hump lead that the railroad expects will improve yard fluidity.
Ohio Rail Commission Approves Two Projects
At its January 22 bi-monthly meeting, the Ohio Rail Development Commission approved grant funding for two rail infrastructure projects that together will yield nearly $400,000 in investment to improve rail safety and efficiency across the state.
CPKC To Buy 65 New Progress Rail SD70ACe-T4s
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is moving to refresh and expand its road fleet with a new-build order from Progress Rail, announcing an agreement for 65 EMD SD70ACe-T4 Tier 4 diesel-electric freight locomotives.
CSX Completes Major Upgrades at Willard Yard
In a significant boost to freight rail operations in the Midwest, CSX Transportation announced in January that it has finished a comprehensive series of infrastructure improvements at its Willard Yard.
Reading & Northern Surpasses 1M Tons Of Coal For 3rd Year
Reading & Northern Railroad (R&N), the largest privately owned railroad in Pennsylvania, has shipped more than one million tons of Anthracite coal for the third straight year. This was an impressive feat considering the downturn in export volume in 2025.
Historic Blizzard Paralyzes the U.S. Northeast, Halts Rail Traffic
A powerful winter blizzard sweeping the northeastern United States on Monday, February 23, 2026, has brought transportation networks to a near standstill.
CSX’s 2025 Santa Train: 83 Years of Holiday Cheer
On Saturday, November 22, 2025, CSX’s iconic Santa Train completed its 83rd annual run, again turning a working freight railroad into a rolling holiday tradition for communities across central Appalachia.
Nebraska Lawmakers Advance UP Tax Incentive Bill
Nebraska lawmakers are advancing new economic development legislation designed in large part to ensure that Union Pacific Railroad maintains its historic corporate headquarters in Omaha.
CPKC Sets New February Grain Shipping Record
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announced on March 3 that it established a new company record for grain transportation during the month of February.
Union Pacific Restores Rail Bridge Service in Lincoln
Union Pacific crews have successfully restored freight rail service across a key bridge in Lincoln, Nebraska, completing a rapid reconstruction effort in just a few weeks.
NS Faces Multiple Derailments Near Historic Horseshoe Curve
One of America’s most famous railroad landmarks, the legendary Horseshoe Curve west of Altoona, Pennsylvania, has recently been the site of multiple freight-train derailments involving Norfolk Southern Railway.
NS, Progress Rail Announce SD70ICC Modernization
Norfolk Southern Railway has announced a significant locomotive modernization initiative in partnership with Progress Rail Services Corporation that will rebuild 96 existing road locomotives into a new configuration designated SD70ICC.
Connecticut DOT Awards $20 Million In Railroad Grants
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has announced a new round of funding aimed at improving the safety, reliability, and capacity of the state’s freight rail network.
STB Approves Union Pacific’s New Arizona Branch Line
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has officially approved Union Pacific Railroad’s proposal to construct and operate a new six-mile branch line in Maricopa County, Arizona.
OmniTRAX Selected To Serve Arm & Hammer Facility
OmniTRAX has announced a new long-term rail switching agreement to serve a major industrial customer in southwestern Wyoming, further strengthening its presence in one of North America’s most important mineral production regions.
TransloadX Seeks To Revive Dormant Bucksport Branch In Maine
A New Hampshire-based logistics firm is moving forward with plans to restore freight rail service on a long-idle branch line in eastern Maine, a development that could reshape industrial transportation options along the Penobscot River corridor.
Palmetto Railways To Reactivate 40-Mile Salkehatchie Subdivision
Palmetto Railways has announced plans to reactivate its long-dormant Salkehatchie Subdivision, a 40-mile line running through Hampton and Colleton counties that has been out of service since 2012.
UP Targets April 30 to Resubmit NS Merger Application
Union Pacific has announced it is targeting April 30, 2026 as the date to formally resubmit its revised merger application for the acquisition of Norfolk Southern, a critical step in advancing what would be the most transformative rail consolidation in a generation.
Norfolk Southern Reports 27% Drop in First-Quarter Profit
Norfolk Southern reported a significant decline in first-quarter earnings, with profits falling 27% year-over-year, reflecting a combination of one-time factors, rising costs, and broader economic pressures.

Museums

NPS Awards $1.93M To Sioux City Railroad Museum
The Sioux City Railroad Museum has received a $1.93 million National Park Service grant aimed at pushing the museum’s long recovery from the June 2024 flooding.
B&O Railroad Museum Unveils $38M Expansion
Western Maryland Railway F7 236 points towards the Mount Clare Roundhouse in Baltimore as part of the B&O Museum.
Ohio Railway Museum Unveils “Vision for the Future” Plan
The Ohio Railway Museum (ORM), one of the nation’s oldest all-volunteer rail preservation organizations, has laid out an ambitious blueprint aimed at transforming its organization.
Illinois Railway Museum Completes Barn 15
The Illinois Railway Museum announced on March 3, 2026 it had completed Barn 15, adding 2000 feet of indoor storage space.
Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum Completes Bridge 4 Overhaul
The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum has announced it has completed work on Bridge 4 to ensure excursions on the Calera & Shelby Railroad can continue for many years.
Construction Continues On Railroad Museum Of Pennsylvania Roundhouse
Construction is underway on a long-anticipated roundhouse exhibit building at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, a project designed to preserve several of the most historically significant steam locomotives from the Pennsylvania Railroad collection.
TVRM To Assist In Gas-Powered Locomotive's Restoration
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum has announced it is assisting in the eventual cosmetic restoration of a former gas powered locomotive used in the logging industry.

Passenger Rail

The Raleigh-to-Richmond 'S' Line: Rebuilding A Vital Corridor
The 'S' Line project intends to reconnect Raleigh to Richmond by rail via the Seaboard Air Line's former main line abandoned under CSX during the 1980s.
Amtrak Introduces The Cascades Airo Trainset
Amtrak pulled the curtain back this month on the first trainset in its forthcoming Airo fleet, using Union Station as a stage to preview what the railroad says is a major step forward in comfort, accessibility, and onboard technology.
First Siemens “Northlander” Trainset Arrives In Ontario
Ontario’s long-awaited return of the Northlander passenger train took a major step forward this winter with the arrival of the first brand-new Siemens-built trainset in the province.
PennDOT Pushes Forward Scranton–New York Passenger Rail Plan
Pennsylvania’s long-discussed idea of restoring passenger trains between Scranton and New York City is moving into a more formal planning phase.
Brightline Unveils ‘Freedom Express’ To Commemorate America’s 250th
Brightline, the privately operated passenger railroad based in Florida, this week unveiled its new Freedom Express train to honor the nation's 250th anniversary.
NCDOT Study: Restoring Asheville Passenger Rail Offers Economic Lift
A revived passenger rail connection between Salisbury and Asheville could do far more than bring trains back to the mountains for the first time in decades could offer considerable economic benefits.
Southeast Wisconsin Eyes New Lakeshore Passenger Rail Link
Leaders in southeastern Wisconsin took a formal first step in December 2025 toward studying a new passenger-rail service that could connect Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Chicago.
NC By Train Posts Busiest Month In 35-year History
North Carolina’s state-supported passenger rail service, marketed under the NC By Train brand, reached a milestone last fall.
Amtrak Posts Record Ridership and Revenue in Fiscal Year 2025
Amtrak, the national passenger rail operator, has announced historic results for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), reporting the highest ridership and revenue in its history as demand for train travel across the United States continues to grow.
Western Rail Coalition: Returning Passenger Trains To Colorado
Colorado’s passenger-rail conversation is often framed as two separate stories: a Front Range “spine” along I-25, and a harder, longer-term quest to offer real alternatives to the I-70 mountain drive.
Amtrak San Joaquins Becomes Gold Runner
California’s busy state-supported rail link between the Bay Area and the Central Valley entered a new chapter in early November 2025, when the familiar Amtrak San Joaquins name was officially retired.
Colorado Seeks Input On Proposed Front Range Passenger Train Name
Colorado officials are inviting the public to help name a proposed passenger train that could one day connect major cities along the state’s heavily traveled Interstate 25 corridor.
Amtrak Issues Request for New Long-Distance Passenger Cars
In a significant step toward modernizing intercity rail travel in the United States, Amtrak announced on April 15, 2026 that it has formally issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a new generation of long-distance passenger railcars.
Amtrak Unveils Third "Airo" Trainset
Amtrak’s sweeping fleet modernization program reached another key milestone this month as its third Airo trainset has been completed at the Siemens Mobility manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California.
Amtrak's First Airo Trainset Arrives in Seattle
Amtrak's next-generation Airo passenger trainset has officially arrived in Seattle, marking a major milestone in the railroad's largest fleet overhaul in decades and the start of a new era for travel along the Pacific Northwest's I-5 corridor.

Preservation

B&O Observation "Washington" Cosmetically Restored
Visitors to the B&O Railroad Museum will soon be able to step into a freshly revived slice of postwar rail luxury: Baltimore & Ohio No. 3316, the observation-tavern car Washington.
B&O Railroad Museum Unveils Restored American Freedom Train No. 1
The B&O Railroad Museum has completed a comprehensive cosmetic restoration of American Freedom Train No. 1, the patriotic 4-8-4 steam locomotive that helped pull the famed American Freedom Train during the nation’s Bicentennial celebrations.
Historic Izaak Walton Inn Slated To Close
A storied rail-side landmark in northwest Montana—the Izaak Walton Inn in Essex—appears headed for an abrupt shutdown, with employees reportedly told their work will end “on or about March 6, 2026.”
$1.3M Mott Foundation Grant To Help Rebuild Rio Grande 2-8-2 No. 464
A $1.3 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation will fund critical work on steam locomotive No. 464, the railroad’s 1903-built 2-8-2 “Mikado” that has been out of service awaiting heavy repairs.
“Auburn Road Special” Excursions To Aid URHS
The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey (URHS) and the Finger Lakes Railway have jointly announced a special series of rare-mileage passenger excursions scheduled for April 18–19, 2026.
Restoration Continues On New Haven RS3 529
The Railroad Museum of New England's efforts to completely restore New Haven RS3 529 to operating condition as they provide the latest updates on the project.
OmniTRAX Unveils Restored Business Car "Savannah Sunrise"
Short line and industrial railroad operator OmniTRAX has completed the restoration of a vintage business car “Savannah Sunrise," built in 1959 by National Steel Car.
Metra Donates F40C 611 To RRHMA
In a significant move for railroad preservation, Chicago commuter operator Metra has donated one of its last remaining F40C diesel locomotives—No. 611—to Railroading Heritage of Midwest America.
Aberdeen & Rockfish Donates GP7 205 To NCTM
The Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad, North Carolina's historic short line, has donated GP7 #205 to the North Carolina Transportation Museum
AHRS Receives UP SD40-2 3593 "Desert Victory"
The American Heartland Railroad Society is pleased to announce the donation of the historic Union Pacific SD40-2 #3593, also known as Desert Victory, from the Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad.

Steam

Southern 2-8-2 4501 Returns To Classic Green
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum officials announced that Southern Railway steam locomotive No. 4501—the museum’s flagship 2-8-2 Mikado—will reappear from its annual inspection wearing the classic Southern Railway passenger green livery.
Nevada Northern Railway 2-8-0 81 Returns
The Nevada Northern Railway Museum has successfully fired its Baldwin-built 2-8-0 No. 81 after a lengthy outage and intensive mechanical work, a major milestone that sets the stage for the locomotive’s full return to regular service at East Ely.
Union Pacific 4014 Begins Coast-To-Coast Tour
Union Pacific’s legendary 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” No. 4014 is scheduled to return to the main line in a big way this spring, kicking off the railroad’s first-ever coast-to-coast steam tour as part of a broader celebration tied to America’s 250th anniversary.
Santa Fe 3415's Rebuild Nears Completion
One of the Midwest’s most recognizable operating steam locomotives is edging closer to the day it can lead excursions again.
PRR T1 No. 5550’s Cylinders Nearing Completion
According to a project update circulated late last year, fabrication work on 5550’s cylinders has advanced to the point where they are now “nearing completion,” with the Trust reporting cylinder work roughly two-thirds finished.
Building A T1 Again: The PRR 5550 Project
Today, a nonprofit group, the PRR T1 Steam Locomotive Trust, is doing something that would have sounded impossible for decades: building a brand-new T1 from the ground up.
West Side Lumber Shay No. 12 Heads Home
A century-old survivor of Sierra Nevada logging railroading is returning west, recently acquired by the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad.
Chesapeake & Ohio 614 Restoration Pushes Forward
One of the most recognizable mainline steam locomotives to survive the post–steam era, C&O 614, is steadily moving through an intensive return-to-service overhaul.
Frisco 2-10-0 No. 1630 Continues Overhaul
In late April 2025, the Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) made a difficult but safety-minded call: sideline its famed St. Louis–San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 2-10-0 No. 1630.
NC&StL “Dixie” No. 576 Nears Steam Again
One of the South’s most famous surviving mainline steam locomotives is edging closer to doing what it hasn’t done since the early 1950s, operate under its own power.
C&O Kanawha No. 2716: A Third Chance at Steam
In the world of large, mainline-capable steam locomotives, it’s rare for any one engine to earn a third operational career. Yet that is exactly the goal for Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 No. 2716.
Reading T-1 No. 2100 Restoration Progress
One of the most famous survivors of Reading Company’s big, fast freight-era steam—4-8-4 T-1 No. 2100—is inching closer to an operating debut after a restoration that has stretched across a decade and climbed well into seven figures in spending and in-kind labor
Age of Steam Roundhouse Adds C&O No. 1308
In late September 2025, the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum in Sugarcreek, Ohio, announced it had acquired Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1308.
Age of Steam Acquires B&LE 2-10-4 No. 643 (2025)
When the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum rolled out B&LE 2-10-4 No. 643 for public viewing in 2025, it wasn’t simply a new exhibit debuting under roof—it was the culmination of one of preservation’s longest, most complicated rescue stories.
New York Central 4-8-2 #3001 To Be Restored
New York Central 4-8-2 No. 3001—an L-3a “Mohawk”—is the centerpiece of a major operational restoration effort being led by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) and its American Locomotive Project initiative.
Union Pacific Unveils Full Schedule For Big Boy 4014
Union Pacific Railroad has released the complete western leg schedule for its groundbreaking 2026 Big Boy No. 4014 Coast-to-Coast Tour.
Dollywood To Convert Steam Locomotives From Coal To Oil
Dollywood’s most recognizable moving landmark—the Dollywood Express—will soon look and feel a little different.
UP And NS Ask FRA To Waive Cab-Signals For Big Boy 4014
Union Pacific’s famed 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” No. 4014 could see new eastern mileage on Norfolk Southern in 2026—but first, the two railroads are asking federal regulators for help bridging a technology gap between a modern signal network and a historic steam locomotive.
American Freedom Train No. 250 Completes FRA Steam Test
One of the most anticipated steam locomotive restorations in modern preservation reached a major milestone this week as American Freedom Train 4-8-4 No. 250 successfully completed a federally observed two-day steam test on February 26–27, 2026.
UP 4014 To Visit WPRM For Fundraising Dinner
Rail enthusiasts in Northern California will have a rare opportunity this spring as Union Pacific 4014 — the world’s largest operating steam locomotive — is scheduled to visit the Western Pacific Railroad Museum on April 8, 2026.
Northern Pacific 4-6-0 1356 Receives Cosmetic Restoration
A significant preservation effort is underway in Missoula, Montana, where volunteers and local preservationists have begun a cosmetic restoration of Northern Pacific Railway steam locomotive No. 1356.
C&O 1309 Returns To The WMSR In April
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad has announced Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 1309 will lead excursions on the Allegheny Winter Express in April!
KRM To Hold Fundraising Excursions For L&N 152
The Kentucky Railway Museum has announced it will hold two different excursions in May, 2026 to support fundraising efforts for Louisville & Nashville 4-6-2 152.
Union Pacific 4014 To Head East For The First Time
Big Boy No. 4014—the world’s largest operating steam locomotive—will tour the eastern United States for the first time in preservation history.
Milwaukee Road 261 To Lead “America250” Excursions
Newly released details confirm that Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 No. 261 will headline a series of “America250” excursions July 17–19, 2026.

Tourist Railroads

WMSR Acquires Conemaugh & Black Lick SW7 No. 111
In a notable late-summer preservation move, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) announced in August 2025 that it had acquired former Conemaugh & Black Lick Railroad (C&BL) EMD SW7 No. 111.
Michigan’s Old Road Dinner Train Still Seeks New Home
In May, 2025 it was announced that Michigan's Old Road Dinner Train was seeking a new home to continue operations. As of this writing that search continues.
WMSR's Georges Creek Division: Reviving A Long-Dormant Line
In 2024 the WMSR announced it was rebuilding part of the old WM. The Georges Creek Division will provide both heritage passenger service and future freight potential in a region once defined by coal, iron, and heavy industry.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic To Repower Two FPA4s
A pair of classic, streamlined Alco/MLW FPA4 locomotives that have become signature power on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) are slated for a major mechanical transformation.
Reading & Northern Announces 2026 Excursions
Immediately upon the conclusion of another record-breaking year of ridership in 2025, the Reading & Northern Passenger Department has already begun its 2026 schedule of all-day rail excursion.
Mt. Rainier Railroad Moves to Buy Tacoma’s Mountain Division
A long-idled rail corridor that threads through the foothills of Mount Rainier could soon have a new owner and operator.
Hunterdon Wine Express Train Announces 2026 Season Dates
The Hunterdon Wine Express returns for its 2026 season from April through September, offering a four-hour wine country experience that combines historic rail travel, guided wine tasting, lunch, and time at Old York Cellars vineyard.
Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad Acquires Maintenance Shops
Western Forest Industries Museum (WFIM), operator of the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad (MRSR), has announced the acquisition of 0 Mineral Creek Road in Mineral, Washington—a 3.6-acre parcel featuring a 10,692-square-foot warehouse and shop originally constructed in 1955.

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