OCTOBER 2020: OUR ANNUAL ALL-ALCO ISSUE! Steven McKay takes us on the hunt for Alco survivors on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, while Gordon Lloyd, Jr., examines the later life of six-axle Alco “Gators.” We look back on the history of the misunderstood MRS-1 diesel, and remember the short-lived Alco-powered Elderberry Line in Ohio. Ken Karlewicz makes a huge splash with his New England themed Portfolio, and publisher Kevin EuDaly recounts an exciting day chasing Alco powered mine trains at Hoyt Lakes. All this and more in the October issue of Railfan & Railroad!

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SEPTA Begins to Restore Service to Former PRR Branch

SEPTA’s $178 million Media-Elwyn Line extension project began in early 2018 and is expected to wrap up in late 2021.

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The Enlisted Alco: MRS-1

In response to growing Cold War tensions in the early 1950s, the U.S. Army solicited bids for the MRS-1 from General Electric, EMD, and Alco, in the hopes of developing a new diesel locomotive that could be deployed domestically as well as in foreign territory captured in battle.

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Ozark Survivors: Arkansas & Missouri Alcos

While the days of five- and six-unit C-420 consists are most likely over, the visiting railfan can still find up to 10 different Alcos working on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad.

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Canadian National 6060

Being a relatively modern oil-burner, CN 6060 was a logical choice for reactivation to excursion service, and made its debut in October 1973.

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2020 Railfan & Railroad Center Spread Contest Winners

After sifting through hundreds of potential candidates, we narrowed down the 2020 center spread submission candidates to the few selections seen here.

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How Bad Are Things in Railroading Right Now?

In the freight railroad business it’s often difficult to determine what’s really going on. For instance, freight business is down all over the country in the last year. But is this something serious or just a temporary blip?