1st Place, West Kentucky Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society photo contest for September 2018 by Matt Gentry. It’s Railroad Days in Monticello, IL! During the weekend of September 15th and 16th, Monticello Railroad Museum held its annual Railroad Days providing rail entertainment for all to enjoy. From 3 different trains running between the museum grounds to the east and depot in town, to speeders and to G gauge live steam trains there is something for everyone. Seen here is Southern 2-8-0 steam locomotive #401 pulling the first excursion of the day back to the museum. Sunny skies made for an excellent day taking various photographs of the operations.
2nd Place, West Kentucky Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society photo contest for September 2018 by Bill Farrell. Norfolk and Southern 2603 heading up a mixed freight with help from Burlington Northern, Santa Fe 9811 and Canadian National 2179. Crossing the Kankakee River on an early 1900’s concrete bridge, in Kankakee, Il.
2nd Place, West Kentucky Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society photo contest for September 2018 by Bill Farrell. Norfolk and Southern 2603 heading up a mixed freight with help from Burlington Northern, Santa Fe 9811 and Canadian National 2179. Crossing the Kankakee River on an early 1900’s concrete bridge, in Kankakee, Il.
3rd, West Kentucky Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society photo contest for September 2018 Keith Kittenger. L&NHS convention 9-22-2018 “On the way to Lebanon Tn.
It’s 7:00 AM on 06-Jul-2018 as the crew of IORY GP38-2 number 2102 begins its workday at Washington Court House, Ohio. They will spend the morning sorting cars from Columbus, Cincinnati, and Springfield before heading south to switch the local industrial park. – Photo by Chris Dees
IORY GP38-2 number 2109 backs around the wye at Washington Court House, Ohio on the morning of 06-Jul-2018. Now on the former B&O Midland Subdivision, the crew will head northeast toward Columbus, pausing to switch the large Valero ethanol plant at Bloomingburg, OH. – Photo by Chris Dees
The former Baltimore & Ohio depot at Midland City, Ohio has seen better days, but continues to stand watch in July 2018 at the junction of Indiana & Ohio Railway’s Midland and Greenfield subdivisions. – Photo by Chris Dees
During a recent visit to Harley-Davidson of Cincinnati, this badge of honor was noted on the adjacent railroad overpass, now operated as the Indiana & Ohio Railway’s Midland Subdivision. Photo by Chris Dees.
The Nickel Plated Spirit – May 26 and 27, 2018 saw another round of excursions by The Ohio Rail Experience, a combined effort of Cincinnati Railway Company; the Lebanon, Mason & Monroe Scenic Railroad; and the Indiana & Ohio Railroad. The Spirit of Urbana traveled along 60 miles of the former Detroit, Toledo & Ohio between Washington Court House, Maitland, and Urbana. Power for the train was NKP GP30 901. – Photo by Chris Dees. 

What’s In A Number?  3985… 765… 611… while simple numbers have a different meaning to different people, for railfans a number can be magical. Although not living the fabulous life of some of her sisters in the realm of railroad history, former Canadian National 1395 is seen on October 8, 2017 at Coopersville, MI awaiting one of two fates… rust & scrapping, or perhaps restoration one of these days. The locomotive is part of the Coopersville & Marne Railway’s museum collection. Both photos by Chris Dees.

 

Go North Young Man – Great Lakes Central GP38-2 number 395 prepares to depart on the advertised with The Northern Arrow excursion train between Kalkaska and Petoskey, Michigan on October 8, 2017. Sister GP38-2 390 is on the other end to facilitate the return trip. Although rainy and overcast, passengers enjoyed the beautiful fall colors of the northern Lower Peninsula on the day long event. Photo by Chris Dees

 

Blazing New Trails – Marquette Rail GP38-2 2040 and sister 2044 get ready to depart Ludington, MI on October 8, 2017 with the Baldwin Blazer. Enroute, they will pick up cars from Manistee at Walhalla, MI before proceeding east. At Baldwin, it will meet with the Sparta-Baldwin road freight powered by SD40-2 3389. Marquette Rail is now a subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming’s Orange Empire. Photo by Chris Dees

 

Not to be outdone by other Alco outposts in the Empire State, tourist railroad and shortline Arcade and Attica Railroad operates this ninety-seven year old Alco 2-8-0 on weekend excursions. Number 18 is the only regularly operating steam locomotive in the state of New York. Seen here during the mid-point layover at Curriers, New York, Photo by Chris Dees taken August 27, 2017.

 

American Locomotive Company will always be remembered as the birthplace of the Century line of locomotives. Thirty-two years after the last new locomotive rolled off the production line, Alco fans can still get their fix in The Empire State. Seen at Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad’s shops in Olean, NY on August 27, 2017 are just a few examples: M636 number 643, C424 number 326, and RS3M number 406. Photos taken from public property by Chris Dees.

The classic curves of an EMD GP30 are always a crowd pleasing addition to any train, especially when its chrome (or in this case, nickel) – plated. On September 10, 2017, the Allen County, Ohio Historical Society hosted its annual Riding the Rails excursion from Lima, OH to Jackson Center, OH over the Indiana & Ohio Railway. The trackage is the former Detroit Toledo & Ironton mainline; power was Cincinnati Railway Company’s NKP GP30 number 901. Photo by Chris Dees.