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Here is your one-stop shop for learning about all of the newest additions or changes happening at American-Rails.com. Listed below is every page that is either new or which was updated within the last few days. Simply click on the link "Continue Reading..." under each heading to visit the page in question. With new articles added on a regular basis be sure and either check back here often or subscribe to the website's RSS feed to keep up with the latest.

Mar 25, 2025

Michigan Pumpkin Trains (2025): A Complete Guide

Discover where you can find pumpkin themed train rides in Michigan with this guide!

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Mar 25, 2025

C&O's 4-6-4 "Hudson" Locomotives (Class L): Specs, Roster, History

Chesapeake & Ohio's 4-6-4s included a small batch of Hudsons it put into service during the 1940s. One streamlined example, #490, survives today.

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Mar 25, 2025

C&O's M-1 Steam Turbine Locomotives: Specs, Roster, History

The Class M-1 steam turbines was a new technology the Chesapeake & Ohio envisioned to power its new "Chessie" streamliner. The locomotive proved unsuccessful.

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Mar 25, 2025

Rio Grande 2-8-8-2 Locomotives: Specs, Roster, History

The 2-8-8-2 was a heavy Mallet type used extensively on the Rio Grande in heavy drag service from 1913 through the end of steam.

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Mar 25, 2025

Pumpkin Trains In Pennsylvania (2025): A Complete Guide

Enjoy a scenic train ride while traveling out to the pumpkin patch for the kids to pick out a pumpkin to carve. Learn where these trips are offered in PA!

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Mar 24, 2025

Illinois Pumpkin Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide

Pumpkin trains are a popular family activity where kids can ride out to the pumpkin patch and pick out their favorie gourd for carving. Learn more about where these are held in Illinois.

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Mar 24, 2025

New York Pumpkin Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide

Discover which heritage railroads and museums in New York are hosting pumpkin trains for the Halloween season!

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Mar 23, 2025

WM's 4-6-6-4 Locomotives (M-2): Specs, Roster, History

Western Maryland's 4-6-6-4's were a dozen fast freight Challengers built by Baldwin in 1940-1941. The railroad's feelings on the engines were mixed and the group was scrapped in the mid-1950s.

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Mar 23, 2025

D&H 4-6-6-4 Locomotives (Class J): Specs, Roster, History

The Delaware & Hudson's fleet of forty 4-6-6-4s acquired from Alco in 1940. These steamers operated fast-freights along the D&H system and were fine machines.

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Mar 23, 2025

4-6-6-4 "Challenger" Locomotives: Photos, History, Survivors

The 4-6-6-4 Challenger was a late model steam locomotive which was incredibly powerful.

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Mar 23, 2025

B&O 2-8-8-4 (EM-1) Locomotives: Specs, Roster, Photos

Baltimore & Ohio's 2-8-8-4's, the EM-1's, were the largest, most powerful, and newest steam locomotives the railroad ever owned. Sadly, none survive.

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Mar 23, 2025

Pumpkin Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide

Pumpkin train rides have become a popular family tradition where museums and heritage railroads host themed trips for the kids to ride out and pick out a pumpkin to carve. Learn about where these are held throughout the U.S.

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Mar 23, 2025

Father's Day Train Ride Locations (2025)

Celebrate dad by train! Several heritage railroads and museums host trips honoring dads. Learn more about which locations offer such excursions.

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Mar 22, 2025

B&O 2-8-8-0 Locomotives (Class EL): Specs, Roster, History

Baltimore & Ohio's Class EL was a large fleet of 2-8-8-0's it acquired for heavy drag service along the West End.

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Mar 22, 2025

Mother's Day Train Rides In Iowa (2025): A Complete Guide

The moms out there can enjoy Mother's Day weekend by train at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad which hosts a special brunch train in their honor.

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Mar 22, 2025

Guide To Amtrak/Passenger Trains In Illinois (2025)

Learn more about Minnesota's current passenger rail options, ranging from Amtrak to the Twin Cities' light rail service.

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Mar 21, 2025

Mother's Day Train Rides In Michigan (2025): A Complete Guide

For the Mother's Day Weekend, there is one location in Michigan hosting a official themed train ride, the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso. Learn more about this event here.

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Mar 19, 2025

Mother's Day Train Rides In Colorado (2025): A Complete Guide

Within Colorado there is one location hosting a train ride celebrating mom, the Georgetown Loop Railroad.

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Mar 19, 2025

Southern Pacific Steam Roster: Post 1900

The Southern Pacific operated a large and electic collection of steam locomotives, from handed-down narrow-gauge 2-8-0s to powerful 2-8-8-4s and the unique Cab Forwards.

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Mar 19, 2025

Rock Island Steam Roster: Post 1900

The Rock Island generally operated only mid-powered steam locomotives for most assignments due to its Midwestern profile and light bridges. This roster highlights its fleet post-1903.

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Mar 19, 2025

Rock Island Diesel Roser: All-Time

Discover the Rock Island's all-time diesel roster here, which included a mix of models from all major builders, as well as rebuilds.

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Mar 19, 2025

Guide To Amtrak/Passenger Trains In California (2025)

This guide highlights the current passenger train services available throughout the state of California.

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Mar 19, 2025

Guide To Amtrak/Passenger Trains In Texas (2025)

The information here highlights current passenger, commuter, and light rail trains serving Texas.

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Mar 18, 2025

Illinois Central Steam Roster: Post-1900

The Illinois Central predominantly relied on mid-powered wheel arrangements to lead its freight and passenger trains. A rebuild program during the 1930s saw no new engines purchased after 1929.

Continue reading "Illinois Central Steam Roster: Post-1900"

Mar 18, 2025

Mother's Day Train Rides In California (2025): A Complete Guide

California enjoys numerous heritage railroads and museums preserving that state's rich history trains. A few of these even host rides celebrating mom every Mother's Day.

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Mar 18, 2025

Mother's Day Train Rides In Illinois (2025): A Complete Guide

There is one place in Illinois hosting train rides celebrating mom, the Monticello Railway Museum. Learn more about this event!

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Mar 18, 2025

Mother's Day Train Rides In Texas (2025): A Complete Guide

Discover which heritage railroads in Texas offered train rides celebrating mom each spring!

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Mar 18, 2025

Mother's Day Train Rides In New York (2025): A Complete Guide

Spend the day with Mom at one of several heritage railroads in New York hosting Mother's Day themed train rides.

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Mar 17, 2025

Mother's Day Train Rides In Pennsylvania (2025): A Complete Guide

Mother's Day

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Mar 16, 2025

Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) Diesel Roster: All-Time List

This information provides an all-time list of the Pennsylvania Railroad's many diesel locomotives, including types and road numbers.

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Mar 16, 2025

Mother's Day Train Rides In Alabama (2025): A Complete Guide

A unique experience now available during Mother's Day is treating Mom to a train ride. In Alabama this experience is available at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum.

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Mar 16, 2025

Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Steam Roster: Post-1900

The C&O maintained some of the largest and most powerful steam locomotives put into service. This roster highlights the fleet in the post-1900 era.

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Mar 16, 2025

Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Diesel Roster: All-Time

The Chesapeake & Ohio operated diesels from every major builder, except Fairbanks-Morse, although largely stuck with Electro-Motive products.

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Mar 15, 2025

Nevada Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide

There are three very nice Nevada train rides to experience today including the Virginia and Truckee, Nevada Northern, and Nevada Southern.

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Mar 15, 2025

Mother's Day Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide

A relatively recent themed train ride experience at various museums and heritage railroads are trips celebrating moms during Mother's Day. Learn more about these locations here.

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Mar 15, 2025

Oregon Polar Express Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide

You can experience the official "Polar Express" event in Oregon at the Mt. Hood Railroad, one of the nation's most upscale scenic trains.

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Mar 15, 2025

Louisiana Polar Express Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide

Surprisingly, in recent years one location in Louisiana began hosting official "The Polar Express" train rides, the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. Learn more about this trip here.

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Mar 15, 2025

Washington Polar Express Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide

Washington

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Mar 14, 2025

New York Central (NYC) Diesel Roster: All-Time

This page provides a complete, all-time diesel roster of the New York Central including original numbers, renumberings, and NYC classes.

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Mar 14, 2025

New York Central Steam Roster: Post-1900

This steam locomotive roster includes New York Central's modern fleet in the post-1900 era.

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Mar 14, 2025

Texas Polar Express Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide

Texas is currently home to two different locations hosting official "The Polar Express" events, the Texas State Railroad and Galveston Railroad Museum.

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Mar 14, 2025

North Carolina Polar Express Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide

North Carolina is one of the South's most beautiful states offering a mix of Appalachian Mountains, rolling Piedmont, and coastal plains. The Polar Express makes stops in Spencer and Bryson City.

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Mar 14, 2025

New Jersey Polar Express Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide

New Jersey is rare in that the state is home to two different locations hosting official "The Polar Express" events. Learn more about these trips here.

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