Extra Board
Welcome to Railfan & Railroad Extra Board, a monthly exploration of the passion for trains from many perspectives. Extra Board welcomes your submissions. We’re looking for about 1500 words accompanied by two or three photos. Each photo should be no smaller than 14 inches (or 1024 pixels) across at 72 dpi (no verticals, please). Brief caption information must accompany each photo. Please send your inquiries to the Webmaster for consideration.
September 17, 2020
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.
September 17, 2020
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.
August 24, 2020
A Tear in My Eye: BC Rail Budd Cars
It was the sad end of an era when BC Rail passenger service using Budd Rail Diesel Cars to reach remote parts of British Columbia came to an end in 2002.
August 24, 2020
Budd RDC Update
The self-propelled Budd Rail Diesel Car (RDC) made its debut in 1949 as a way to help reduce operating costs, and continues to see limited use to this day.
July 20, 2020
Echoes Through the Canyon: Feather River
The Feather River Canyon first saw rails when Western Pacific was completed in 1909. Great Northern was seeking to access the California Bay Area market from Klamath Falls, Ore., and joined with Western Pacific to form the Inside Gateway, opening in 1931.
July 20, 2020
Canadian Pacific Comes Full Circle in Maine
Almost thirty years after departing from Maine and the Canadian Maritimes, Canadian Pacific returns to its old main line cutting across the top of the Pine Tree State from Megantic to McAdam.
June 16, 2020
Air Line Blues: Ontario Southland Bows Out of the Cayuga Spur
Time has run out for the 25.5-mile St. Thomas–Courtland Cayuga Spur, one of the last remnants of Canada Air Line completed by Great Western Railway in 1873.
June 16, 2020
Escalante Western Farewell
Operarting for 35 years in relative obscurity, New Mexico’s Escalante-Western Railway ceased operations at the end of April after delivering one final load of coal to the Tri-State Escalante Generating Station in Prewitt.
June 1, 2020
Railfan & Railroad Now Accepting Photos for Annual Contest
The contest will provide a skilled and/or lucky photographer the opportunity to see his or her photo grace the center spread of the September 2020 issue.
May 20, 2020
Hollywood’s Movie Railroad: Fillmore & Western
“Hollywood’s Railroad” is the Fillmore & Western Railway, operating on a former Southern Pacific branch line between the city of Santa Paula to the west and Piru to the east.
