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.
November 13, 2025
Rocky Mountaineer: Still Climbing
Looking back at 35 years of operating luxury tour trains in the U.S. and Canada, Rocky Mountaineer has an eye toward expansion.
November 13, 2025
QLine: Moving Detroit
The first new rail transit in Detroit since streetcars vanished in 1956, the new QLine has found its way on Woodward Avenue.
October 15, 2025
The Pilbara: A Vast and Magic Land
Another adventure in Western Australia with iron ore — this time exploring each railroad’s ends at mines deep in the Pilbara.
October 15, 2025
Railroads’ Salute to Veterans
Since the 1990s, American railroads have painted and decorated a number of locomotives to honor our military veterans.
September 16, 2025
Alcos in Indian Summer
The waning years of Nevada Northern’s common-carrier freight service provided great opportunities for Alco action in the desert.
September 16, 2025
From Relic to Runner
Genesee Valley Transportation’s restored “Nickle Plate Road” Alco PA fulfills a dream three decades in the making.
August 15, 2025
Boston MBTA Red Line
Dating back to 1912, and growing to meet the suburbs, the MBTA Red Line is the backbone of Boston’s rapid transit system.
August 15, 2025
Catch a Falling Star
Opened in 2009, Minneapolis Northstar commuter rail has yet to recover from a dramatic pandemic drop-off in ridership.
July 16, 2025
Sixteen Under Steam: East Broad Top 16 Returns
Pennsylvania’s East Broad Top restores a narrow gauge Mikado that has been slumbering since the end of common-carrier days in 1956.
July 16, 2025
Union Pacific Departs Eugene
Examining the transition as Union Pacific prepares to hand over local operation in Eugene, Ore., to Central Oregon & Pacific.
