1. Home
 ›
2. Fallen Flags
 ›
3. Western Pacific

Western Pacific Railroad: Map, History, Logo, Rosters

Last revised: October 12, 2024

By: Adam Burns

It could be strongly argued the Western Pacific should have never been built.  The WP was the longtime dream of Arthur Keddie who wanted to break the Southern Pacific's (SP) monopoly between San Francisco/Oakland and Salt Lake City. 

Such a project had been tried many times but noted tycoon Collis P. Huntington, who controlled the SP, used his influence to stop each attempt.  Keddie finally outmaneuvered his nemesis by partnering with another mogul, George Gould. 

Together, they opened a competing line through the beautiful Feather River Canyon.  For nearly 80 years Western Pacific moved freight along its well-engineered corridor that, in total, spanned slightly over 1,000 miles. 

Despite a route difficult to maintain it was operationally superior to the SP's former Central Pacific corridor over Donner Pass (part of the original Transcontinental Railroad).

As a result, WP's 924-mile line remains in service today under successor Union Pacific.  Although relatively small, the Western Pacific is remembered for many things; operating one of the most successful streamliners of all time, constructing the famous Keddie Wye, and maintaining the important "Inside Gateway."

Photos

Western Pacific's "California Zephyr" passes Highway 50 on Altamont Pass in March of 1970 soon before the train was discontinued. Drew Jacksich photo.

History

When completed in the early 20th century, the Western Pacific marked one of the last major projects of its kind ever undertaken. 

According to Brian Solomon's book, "Southern Pacific Railroad," the very first "Western Pacific Railroad Company" dates back to the Transcontinental Railroad, incorporated on December 13, 1862 by Collis Huntington to give the then-Central Pacific Railroad (CP) direct access into the Bay Area. 

The line, which opened on November 2, 1869, ran from a CP connection at Sacramento to Niles via Tracy and Altamont Pass.  From Niles, the line split in opposite directions, reaching Oakland and San Jose.  The original WP operated a total of 151.06 miles and was merged into the CP on June 23, 1870. 

At A Glance

Huntington and his fellow businessmen, Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins, and Charles Crocker ("The Big Four"), added another corporate layer to their growing empire when the Southern Pacific Company was formed on August 14, 1884 to manage all properties under their direction. 

Arthur Keddie

The SP went on to blossom into one of the West's most powerful railroads and denied any attempts at a second transcontinental connection at Salt Lake City.  In his book, "More Classic American Railroads," author Mike Schafer notes how Arthur Keddie was the most persistent. 

The modern WP's beginnings are symbolic of its entire corporate existence; always fighting for survival. Keddie's first effort was the Oroville & Virginia City Railroad launched in 1869.  However, the "Big Four" quickly used their leverage to end this threat by turning investors away and successfully lobbying Congress to deny it land grants. 

Logo

The Western Pacific Railroad logo. Author's work.

Several years later, Keddie tried a second time when he helped establish the San Francisco & Great Salt Lake Railroad, incorporated on May 21, 1892.  Alas, this scheme met a similar fate. 

Still undeterred and with great enthusiasm, Keddie continued his assault on the "Big Four" by incorporating the Stockton & Beckwith Pass Railway in 1902. 

This latest idea planned to link Stockton with Oroville (via Sacramento) before continuing northeastward through Beckwourth Pass, following the Feather River much of the way.  They say timing is everything and as Keddie's latest venture got underway, George Gould entered the picture. 

The son of legendary mogul, Jay Gould, he was then working to complete his late father's dream of a true, coast-to-coast railroad. 

By the 20th Century his goal was nearing reality as he controlled the Missouri Pacific, Wabash, Western Maryland, Wheeling & Lake Erie, and the Rio Grande properties consisting of the Denver & Rio Grande (D&RG) and Rio Grande Western (RGW).  

Western Pacific F7A #913 leads a long freight westbound between Fremont and Milpitas, California in May, 1978. The Southern Pacific can be seen off to the left. Author's collection.

To reach the west coast he formed two small railroads, the Indian Valley and Butte & Plumas, which would build through the Feather River and link up with his Rio Grande systems at Salt Lake City.  After he realized Keddie's intentions the two men joined forces to create the Western Pacific Railway on March 3, 1903. 

By then, Collis Huntington and his former associates had died with the Southern Pacific passing into the hands of another successful tycoon, Edward Harriman. 

Just like the "Big Four" he had no interest in sharing his railroad's monopoly but with Gould's support and financial backing the Western Pacific project moved forward. 

According to James Griffin's book, "Rio Grande Railroad," Gould used his D&RG/RGW railroads to finance Western Pacific's enormous construction costs (the two would contribute a total of $31.5 million to the endeavor, or roughly 40%). 

With financing secured, construction crews began from both ends; to the west, track-laying launched from Oroville, California on January 1, 1906 while work commenced in the east from Salt Lake City on May 5th.  

System Map (1934)

An official, 1934 system map of the Western Pacific Railroad. Author's collection.

While the route avoided the treacherous steep granite cliffs found along Donner Pass, the Feather River carried its own difficulties.  The canyon was extremely rugged with unstable rock that caused many slides. 

In addition, the region's remote and desolate nature only compounded problems. In the end, Gould and Keddie were rewarded for choosing the river as it afforded much easier grades, resulting in lower operational costs (Union Pacific even spent $30 million to rebuild the route in 1997 after landslides placed 100 miles out of service). 

Sacramento Northern F3As - acquired secondhand from the Ontario & Western - layover between assignments, in Sacramento, circa 1960. The SN was a longtime subsidiary of Western Pacific and one-time electrified interurban. These covered wagons were acquired second-hand from the New York, Ontario & Western after it shutdown in 1957.

As Mr. Schafer's book points out, whereas Southern Pacific's Donner Pass sat at an elevation of 7,056 feet and received roughly 200 inches of snow annually, Beckwourth Pass carried an elevation of just 5,221 feet and was situated fully below the snow line. 

Another benefit was the difference in grades; Donner ranged from between 1% to 2.3% during an 80-mile stretch while Beckwourth's never exceeded 1%. The only trade-off was in overall length with Southern Pacific's line some 138 miles shorter (786 miles compared to Western Pacific's 924 miles).  

The modelers out there may enjoy this scene; an aging Western Pacific F7A at Radum, California during the summer of 1974. Drew Jacksich photo.

During the four years of construction, work was slow but steady.  The main line boasted several noteworthy engineering feats as Donald Robertson points out in his book, "Encyclopedia Of Western Railroad History, Volume IV: California." 

These included 43 tunnels ranging in length from 58 to 7,318 feet (the longest included a 5,676 bore near Jasper, Nevada; a 6,000-foot tunnel at Chilcoot beneath the Sierra Nevada Mountains; a 7,318-foot tunnel at Spring Garden; and finally a 4,287-foot tunnel at Niles Canyon) and a number of trestles spanning the Feather, American, and Humboldt Rivers. 

The first major accomplishment took place on November 9, 1908 when a connection was established with the Nevada Northern Railway at Shafter, Nevada. 

This interchange enabled originating shipments of copper ore to be transported east to Salt Lake City.  Finally, on November 1, 1909 a Golden Spike ceremony was held within the Feather River Canyon at Keddie, California marking the railroad's formal completion. 

Regularly scheduled freight service commenced on December 1st that year while passenger service launched several months later on August 22, 1910.  Contractors officially turned over the property to the operating department on July 1, 1911.  Altogether, the WP had cost a total of $60 million.

Classic Western Pacific power, led by F7A #913-A, has the eastbound San Jose Turn at Altamont, California circa 1970. Roger Puta photo.

Expansion

Unfortunately, without a strong freight base and few feeder branches, monetary issues materialized almost immediately.  Within a decade the company was in trouble and entered bankruptcy prior to World War I.  It was reorganized as the Western Pacific Railroad on June 16, 1916. 

The new company took over on July 15th and its new president, Charles Levey, worked very hard to increase business.  First, he opened a branch to nearby San Jose and then acquired 64 miles of the narrow-gauge Nevada-California-Oregon Railway (N-C-O) on June 17, 1917. 

At a price tag of $700,000 this trackage provided WP access into Reno from a connection along the main line at Reno Junction (near Chat).  The deal also comprised a northern component reaching Hackstaff (Herlong), California as well as N-C-O's western branch to Clio. 

As historian Dr. George Hilton notes in his book, "American Narrow Gauge Railroads," the N-C-O began as "The Nevada & Oregon Railroad," organized on June 1, 1880. 

It was intended to interchange with the Central Pacific at Reno and act as a bridge line connecting Northern California with the Pacific Northwest (at The Dalles, Oregon) while circumventing the Sierra-Nevada and Cascade Mountains. 

Another route was projected to run south of Reno but no serious efforts were ever carried out on this extension.  Nevertheless, the project carried enough clout and financial backing that it eventually opened a 238-mile main line and 32-mile branch.

A quartet of aging Western Pacific F7A's lead westbound freight "SJT" over California's Altamont Pass on December 8, 1976. The train is about to cross above Patterson Pass Road. Author's collection.

Following a few name changes it became the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway on January 1, 1893.  It reached its final length on January 10, 1912 when it opened to Lakeview, Oregon. 

After a short legal battle the N-C-O acquired full control of the so-called Plumas Branch on January 1, 1915, a lumber spur that ran 32 miles from Plumas Junction to Clio. 

With no further construction undertaken, it subsisted primarily on livestock and grain traffic, along with the aforementioned timber business.  After the WP acquired the southern segment it was quickly converted to standard gauge, completing the process on January 30, 1918. 

Later that year it abandoned the parallel Plumas Branch and dropped the 28-mile northern component to Hackstaff (in 1926 the Southern Pacific picked up the remainder of the N-C-O property). 

Levey's other notable endeavors included acquisition of a pair of interurbans; the Sacramento Northern Railway (SN) and Tidewater Southern Railway (TS). 

According to Dr. George Hilton's and John Due's book, "The Electric Interurban Railways In America," the SN was composed primarily of two predecessors, the Northern Electric Railway and the Oakland, Antioch & Eastern Railway. The former constituted SN's "Northern Division" while the latter its southern routes to Oakland/San Francisco. 

Sacramento Northern (Western Pacific) GP7 #711 at Oakland, California circa 1980. American-Rails.com collection.

The Northern Electric was incorporated in 1905 and later purchased the Chico Electric Railway (1906), a small streetcar system serving its namesake community. The NE was funded and promoted by H.A. Butters who quickly eyed a connection into Sacramento. 

Running via Oroville and Marysville this link was established in September, 1907.  Afterwards, a series of freight branches were added reaching Hamilton City (October, 1907), Woodland (July, 1912), and Colusa (June, 1913).  Overall, the Northern Electric operated about 93 miles. Sacramento Northern's "Southern Division" was the work of the Oakland & Antioch Railway.

This interurban was funded by a San Francisco businessmen and its name soon changed as the Oakland, Antioch & Eastern. It began from Bay Point, near Oakland, where a connection was achieved with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (Santa Fe) and progressed eastward. In 1910 the OA&E reached Walnut and a year later was opened to Lafayette.

By early April, 1913 it had extended to Sacramento and a connection with the Northern Electric.  The OA&E was hampered by a rugged profile due to its crossing of the Coast Range, requiring grades of 3% and 3,500-foot tunnel.

The Sacramento Northern Railroad was created in 1914 when the NE went into receivership. Just six years later the OA&E found itself in a similar predicament and was renamed as the San Francisco-Sacramento Railroad (the so-called "Sacramento Short Line").

In 1922 Western Pacific acquired the SN for its freight business, adding the Sacramento Short Line in 1927 for the same purpose.  A year later, the Sacramento Northern Railway was formed as a holding company, which later merged all WP's interurbans under this name. 

The new company continued to grow by opening branches to Clarksburg, Oxford and then reached downtown San Francisco via the new Bay Bridge in January, 1939. At its peak, the Sacramento Northern maintained a network of 183 miles. The nearby Tidewater Southern joined Western Pacific as another freight line. 

It began construction in 1911 and opened from Stockton to Modesto as a standard, steam-powered system in October, 1912.  A year later electrified service was initiated (November 15, 1913).  By 1918 it added three non-electrified branches reaching Turlock, Hatch, and Manteca that were designed solely for freight traffic. 

The Western Pacific acquired the road in 1917 and it provided considerable business, largely in the areas of fruits, vegetables, and serving local wine producers. 

Most of Western Pacific's fleet of F7A's remained in use into the late 1970s. Here, #913-A, #921-D, #917-D, and #918-D layover in San Jose, California on May 25, 1974. Author's collection.

In spite of the Great Depression's onset, the Western Pacific continued improvements where it could.  The most notable was establishing a link with the Great Northern through a joint project known as the "High Line," "Inside Gateway," or "Northern California Extension." 

According to the book "The Great Northern Railway, A History" by authors Ralph W. Hidy, Muriel E. Hidy, Roy V. Scott, and Don L. Hofsommer, a formal Golden Spike ceremony was held in Bieber, California on November 10, 1931 marking the occasion. 

The new corridor handled freight from San Francisco/Oakland to the Pacific Northwest, and ultimately Chicago in competition against the SP.  WP's section included 111.8 miles running north from Keddie, a junction where two spectacular bridges and a short tunnel were completed to form a wye off the main line. 

Passenger Trains

California Zephyr: (Chicago - Denver - Salt Lake City - Oakland/San Francisco)

Exposition Flyer: (Chicago - Oakland)

Feather River Express: (Oakland - Portola, California)

Royal Gorge: (Oakland - St. Louis)

Scenic Limited: (Oakland - St. Louis)

Zephyrette: (Oakland - Salt Lake City)

An A-B-B set of Western Pacific F3's power the westbound "California Zephyr" through California's Altamont Pass near Livermore on April 22, 1950. Southern Pacific's line can be seen to the right (abandoned today). Fred Matthews photo.

While the railroad boasted stunning scenery and the lowest grades through the Sierra Range, profits did not reflect these attributes. Not only did the Feather River Canyon's unstable geography frustrate the railroad (with numerous mud and rock slides) but strong competition from the Southern Pacific hampered potential.

In 1935 it experienced another bankruptcy but World War II witnessed record traffic which finally offered some consistency.  At this time the Western Pacific enjoyed its greatest extent, operating a network of 1,138 route miles.  The 1950's brought excellent leadership, beginning with Frederic B. Whitman.   

Diesel Roster

American Locomotive Company

Baldwin Locomotive Works

Budd Company

Electro-Motive Division

* #913A became #920A in 10/1971

* #915A became #804A (2nd) on 4/21/1970

* #805B (1st) became #915C (2nd) on 4/12/1970

* #915C (1st) became #805B (2nd) on 4/21/1970

* #915D became #915 in 7/1975

* #916D (1st) became #804D (2nd) on 4/14/1970

* #917D became #917 in 7/1975

* #918A became #922A (2nd) in 9/1971

* #918D became #918 in 7/1975

* #920A became #913A in 10/1971, renumbered again as #913 in 7/1975

* #920B became #806B on 6/14/1967, renumbered back to #920B on 4/5/1971

* #921D became #921 in 7/1975

* #922A became #918A (2nd) in 9/1971. 

General Electric

Thanks to the book, "Western Pacific Color Pictorial: Volume One," by Adam Clegg for help compiling this diesel roster.

Steam Roster

* United States Railroad Administration (USRA) "Light Mikados" which were sold to the Wabash in 1920.

Western Pacific F7A's #917-D, #921-D, #918-D, and #913-A layover in Milpitas, California on March 18, 1975. Author's collection.

He oversaw a number of improvements such as installation of centralized traffic control (CTC) and acquisition of diesel locomotives for main line service (the second railroad to acquire such, behind only the Santa Fe).

On March 20, 1949 it introduced one of the most successful and fondly remembered streamliners of all time, the California Zephyr (CZ).

As a joint endeavor with the Rio Grande and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the train whisked travelers from Chicago to Oakland/San Francisco offering top-notch services and incredible views of the American West.

The CZ was still witnessing relatively strong ridership when an ailing Western Pacific elected to cancel its leg on March 22, 1970.

Union Pacific Acquisition

Other presidents such as Alfred Pearlman, an excellent railroader in his own right, followed Whitman and carried the company through that troubled decade.  It was the industry's deregulation in 1980 which, ironically, closed the book on the storied Western Pacific. 

A series of mergers left the railroad as a small fish in a huge pond, surrounded by giants like Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, and Burlington Northern.  Needing to find a partner, Union Pacific offered to purchase its much smaller counterpart and the acquisition was made official on December 22, 1982. 

Today, the Western Pacific may no longer exist but its legacy lives on through the Feather River Route, Keddie Wye, "Inside Gateway" and the California Zephyr, the name of which survives under Amtrak (albeit following a slightly altered route). 

In addition, Union Pacific has honored the railroad by painting SD70ACe #1983 with an inspired Western Pacific livery.

Public Timetables (August, 1952)

Recent Articles

• 
• 
• 

1. Northern Pacific 4-6-0 No. 1364 Returns To Life

   Feb 24, 26 11:12 AM

   The whistle of Northern Pacific steam returned to the Yakima Valley in a big way this month as Northern Pacific 4-6-0 No. 1364 moved under its own power for the first time in 73 years.

   Read More

2. CSX’s 2025 Santa Train: 83 Years of Holiday Cheer

   Feb 24, 26 10:38 AM

   
   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 Appalac…

   Read More

3. Alabama Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides

   Feb 24, 26 09:25 AM

   
   There is currently one location in the state offering a murder mystery dinner experience, the Wales West Light Railway!

   Read More

4. Rhode Island Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides

   Feb 24, 26 09:21 AM

   
   Let's dive into the enigmatic world of murder mystery dinner train rides in Rhode Island, where each journey promises excitement, laughter, and a challenge for your inner detective.

   Read More

5. Virginia Wine Tasting Train Rides

   Feb 24, 26 09:20 AM

   
   Wine tasting trains in Virginia provide just that—a unique experience that marries the romance of rail travel with the sensory delights of wine exploration.

   Read More

6. Tennessee Wine Tasting Train Rides

   Feb 24, 26 09:17 AM

   
   One of the most unique and enjoyable ways to savor the flavors of Tennessee’s vineyards is by train aboard the Tennessee Central Railway Museum.

   Read More

7. Southeast Wisconsin Eyes New Lakeshore Passenger Rail Link

   Feb 23, 26 11:26 PM

   
   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.

   Read More

8. MBTA Sees Over 29 Million Trips in 2025

   Feb 23, 26 11:14 PM

   
   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…

   Read More

9. Historic Blizzard Paralyzes the U.S. Northeast, Halts Rail Traffic

   Feb 23, 26 05:10 PM

   A powerful winter blizzard sweeping the northeastern United States on Monday, February 23, 2026, has brought transportation networks to a near standstill.

   Read More

10. Mt. Rainier Railroad Moves to Buy Tacoma’s Mountain Division

    Feb 23, 26 02:27 PM

    
    A long-idled rail corridor that threads through the foothills of Mount Rainier could soon have a new owner and operator.

    Read More

11. BNSF Activates PTC on Former Montana Rail Link Territory

    Feb 23, 26 01:15 PM

    
    BNSF Railway has fully implemented Positive Train Control (PTC) on what it now calls the Montana Rail Link (MRL) Subdivision.

    Read More

12. Cincinnati Scenic Railway To Acquire B&O GP30

    Feb 23, 26 12:17 PM

    
    The Cincinnati Scenic Railway, through an agreement with the Raritan Central Railway, to acquire former B&O GP30 #6923, currently lettered as RCRY #5.

    Read More

13. Texas Dinner Train Rides On The TSR

    Feb 23, 26 11:54 AM

    
    Today, TSR markets itself as a round-trip, four-hour, 25-mile journey between Palestine and Rusk—an easy day trip (or date-night centerpiece) with just the right amount of history baked in.

    Read More

14. Iowa Dinner Train Rides On The B&SV

    Feb 23, 26 11:53 AM

    
    If you’ve ever wished you could pair a leisurely rail journey with a proper sit-down meal—white tablecloths, big windows, and countryside rolling by—the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum in Boon…

    Read More

15. North Carolina Wine Tasting Train Rides

    Feb 23, 26 11:48 AM

    
    A noteworthy way to explore North Carolina's beauty is by hopping aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and sipping fine wine!

    Read More

16. Nevada Wine Tasting Train Rides

    Feb 23, 26 11:43 AM

    
    While it may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of wine, you can sip this delight by train in Nevada at the Nevada Northern Railway.

    Read More

17. Reading & Northern Surpasses 1M Tons Of Coal For 3rd Year

    Feb 22, 26 11:57 PM

    
    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 f…

    Read More

18. Minnesota's Northstar Commuter Rail Ends Service

    Feb 22, 26 11:43 PM

    
    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.

    Read More

19. Tri-Rail Sets New Ridership Record in 2025

    Feb 22, 26 11:24 PM

    
    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.

    Read More

20. CSX Completes Major Upgrades at Willard Yard

    Feb 22, 26 11:14 PM

    
    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…

    Read More

21. New Hampshire Wine Tasting Train Rides

    Feb 22, 26 09:39 AM

    
    This article details New Hampshire's most enchanting wine tasting trains, where every sip is paired with breathtaking views and a touch of adventure.

    Read More

22. New Jersey Wine Tasting Train Rides

    Feb 22, 26 09:37 AM

    
    If you're seeking a unique outing or a memorable way to celebrate a special occasion, wine tasting train rides in New Jersey offer an experience unlike any other.

    Read More

23. Nevada Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides

    Feb 22, 26 09:36 AM

    
    Seamlessly blending the romance of train travel with the allure of a theatrical whodunit, these excursions promise suspense, delight, and an unforgettable journey through Nevada’s heart.

    Read More

24. West Virginia Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides

    Feb 22, 26 09:34 AM

    
    For those looking to combine the allure of a train ride with an engaging whodunit, the murder mystery dinner trains offer a uniquely thrilling experience.

    Read More

25. New York Central 4-8-2 #3001 To Be Restored

    Feb 22, 26 12:29 AM

    
    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 Locomotiv…

    Read More

26. Norfolk Southern To Buy 40 New Wabtec ES44ACs

    Feb 21, 26 11:52 PM

    
    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.

    Read More

27. CPKC To Buy 65 New Progress Rail SD70ACe-T4s

    Feb 21, 26 11:28 PM

    
    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 freig…

    Read More

28. Ohio Rail Commission Approves Two Projects

    Feb 21, 26 11:09 PM

    
    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…

    Read More

29. CSX Completes Avon Yard Hump Lead Extension

    Feb 21, 26 03:38 PM

    
    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.

    Read More

30. Pinsly Restores Freight Service On Alabama Short Line

    Feb 21, 26 12:55 PM

    
    After more than a year without trains, freight rail service has returned to a key industrial corridor in southern Alabama.

    Read More

31. Phoenix City Council Pulls the Plug on Capitol Light Rail Extension

    Feb 21, 26 12:19 PM

    In a pivotal decision that marks a dramatic shift in local transportation planning, the Phoenix City Council voted to end the long-planned Capitol light rail extension project.

    Read More

32. Norfolk Southern Unveils Advanced Wheel Integrity System

    Feb 21, 26 11:06 AM

    
    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 bre…

    Read More

33. CPKC Sets New January Grain-Haul Record

    Feb 21, 26 10:31 AM

    
    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 Janu…

    Read More

34. New Documentary Charts Iowa Interstate's History

    Feb 21, 26 12:40 AM

    
    A newly released documentary is shining a spotlight on one of the Midwest’s most distinctive regional railroads: the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS).

    Read More

35. LA Metro’s A Line Extension Study Forecasts $1.1B in Economic Output

    Feb 21, 26 12:38 AM

    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 ou…

    Read More

36. Age of Steam Acquires B&LE 2-10-4 No. 643 (2025)

    Feb 21, 26 12:33 AM

    
    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 lo…

    Read More

37. NCDOT Study: Restoring Asheville Passenger Rail Offers Economic Lift

    Feb 21, 26 12:26 AM

    
    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.

    Read More

38. Brightline Unveils ‘Freedom Express’ To Commemorate America’s 250th

    Feb 20, 26 11:36 AM

    
    Brightline, the privately operated passenger railroad based in Florida, this week unveiled its new Freedom Express train to honor the nation's 250th anniversary.

    Read More

39. Age of Steam Roundhouse Adds C&O No. 1308

    Feb 20, 26 10:53 AM

    
    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.

    Read More

40. Reading & Northern Announces 2026 Excursions

    Feb 20, 26 10:08 AM

    
    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.

    Read More

41. Siemens Mobility Tapped To Modernize Tri-Rail Fleet

    Feb 20, 26 09:47 AM

    
    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 Mobili…

    Read More

42. Reading T-1 No. 2100 Restoration Progress

    Feb 20, 26 09:36 AM

    
    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…

    Read More

43. C&O Kanawha No. 2716: A Third Chance at Steam

    Feb 20, 26 09:32 AM

    
    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.

    Read More

44. Missouri Wine Tasting Train Rides

    Feb 20, 26 09:29 AM

    
    The fusion of scenic vistas, historical charm, and exquisite wines is beautifully encapsulated in Missouri's wine tasting train experiences.

    Read More

45. Minnesota Wine Tasting Train Rides

    Feb 20, 26 09:26 AM

    
    This article takes you on a journey through Minnesota's wine tasting trains, offering a unique perspective on this novel adventure.

    Read More

46. Kansas Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides

    Feb 20, 26 09:23 AM

    
    Kansas, known for its sprawling wheat fields and rich history, hides a unique gem that promises both intrigue and culinary delight—murder mystery dinner trains.

    Read More

47. Florida Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides

    Feb 20, 26 09:20 AM

    
    Florida, known for its vibrant culture, dazzling beaches, and thrilling theme parks, also offers a unique blend of mystery and fine dining aboard its murder mystery dinner trains.

    Read More

48. NC&StL “Dixie” No. 576 Nears Steam Again

    Feb 20, 26 09:15 AM

    
    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.

    Read More

49. Frisco 2-10-0 No. 1630 Continues Overhaul

    Feb 19, 26 03:58 PM

    
    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.

    Read More

50. PennDOT Pushes Forward Scranton–New York Passenger Rail Plan

    Feb 19, 26 12:14 PM

    
    Pennsylvania’s long-discussed idea of restoring passenger trains between Scranton and New York City is moving into a more formal planning phase.

    Read More