Issues

Summer 2006

Classic Trains is a quarterly magazine celebrating the "golden years of railroading." Each issue covers the North American railroad scene from the 1920s to the late 1970s with extraordinary photographs and compelling writing. Giant steam locomotives, colorful streamliners, down-home local trains, great passenger terminals, recollections of railroaders and train-watchers . . . they're all in the pages of Classic Trains.

Purchase this Issue
Contents
Glory Days: Train of Two Seasons
By Robert S. McGonigal
Two photos show Atlantic Coast Line's East Coast Champion traveling from summer-like Florida to New York in January 1949.
pg. 20
By Bert Pennypacker
Packing power and speed, Baltimore & Ohio's 125 S-1's stood at the very threshold of the Super-Power era. With 12 color and black-and-white photos. [See our B&O Big Sixes in Action video extra]
pg. 22
Diamond in the Wilderness
By E. Roy Ward
A Western Maryland mountain junction was so convoluted it had three names. With map and 5 color photos.
pg. 30
My First Berkshire
By Neil Carlson
A boy's close encounter with a special 2-8-4 led to a lifelong affection for the Nickel Plate Road. With 7 black-and-white photos.
pg. 34
Classics Today: Fort Wayne's Berkshire Bounces Back
By Robert S. McGonigal
After a dozen years in the shop, Nickel Plate 765 is ready for the high iron again. With 8 photos from 765's "three careers."
pg. 40
Photo Section
Handing off orders on the Chicago & North Western in 1966; a Canadian Pacific 4-6-2 and steamship in 1958; FT's on the Santa Fe, Boston & Maine, and Seaboard; a Santa Fe doodlebug in Texas; and NYC steam and PRR diesels at Columbus Union Station. 9 photos in all.
pg. 42
Learning the Basics on the B&M and Soo
By Tom Murray
Moving from yard clerk's work in Massachusetts to an operating job in the Midwest made a young man realize there was more than one way to run a railroad. With 10 color photos.
pg. 50
Bird's-Eye View: Montreal, circa 1952
Annotated aerial photos of Canadian Pacific's St. Luc roundhouse and Canadian National's Central Station.
pg. 58
Arkansas Army Days
By Louis A. Marre
In 1944, New Jersey railroader Bob Collins made the most of being stationed in a region where rail photos are comparatively rare. With a map and 20 of Collins' black-and-white photos.
pg. 62
One Day at . . . Spokane, Wash.
By J. David Ingles
Classic Trains' Senior Editor recalls a 1968 visit to the eastern Washington city served by Union Pacific; Spokane, Portland & Seattle; Northern Pacific; Great Northern; and Milwaukee Road. With 12 color photos.
pg. 72
Departments
Editor's Page
Expanding horizons
True Color
Steam, diesel, and a Great Lakes boat at Canadian National’s Windsor, Ont., engine terminal in 1974
Fallen Flags Remembered
Pacific Electric
A Classic Year
1933: Century of Progress, fourth year of hard times, last good year for steam
The Way It Was
When the Milwaukee Road "borrowed" diesels from other roads, by Art Danz • Solving a problem on the Santa Fe, the 1940’s way, by Jack O. Elwood • Steam in the atomic age on the Central Vermont, by Douglas J. Brittin • A perfect trip on the North Coast Limited, by Robert Morrison • On-time on the Century, by Joseph Schultz
Car Stop
Old and new "L" trains passing Chicago Union Station
Second Section
Getting it right with Central Vermont steam
Bumping Post
CNJ's Jersey City Terminal
Subscriber Only Content
Subscriber Only Content
This icon denotes premium subscriber content.   Learn more »
Become a Member of Classic Trains Magazine
Register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and much more!
Subcriber & Member Login
E-mail address:
Password:
Remember me