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.

Not Just Business: BNSF Railway’s Passenger Car Fleet

January 24, 2025

Not Just Business: BNSF Railway’s Passenger Car Fleet

BNSF Railway owns one of the largest fleets of Class I business cars for office car specials, engineering inspections, and more.

Readville: Crossroads on the Corridor

January 24, 2025

Readville: Crossroads on the Corridor

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter trains mix with Amtrak and CSX at this busy Northeast Corridor crossing.

Caltrain’s Electrifying Transformation

December 20, 2024

Caltrain’s Electrifying Transformation

Four decades of Caltrain F40 diesels pulling Peninsula “commute” trains gives way to a new era of electric railroading.

CPKC Galt Sub

December 17, 2024

CPKC Galt Sub

The Galt Subdivision is an important gateway for freight in southern Ontario for CPKC connecting Montreal and Detroit.

UP 844 and the 4-8-4s

November 20, 2024

UP 844 and the 4-8-4s

Eighty years after it was built and six decades after entering excursion service, Union Pacific 844 rolls on with no end in sight.

Big Boy Reconquers the West

November 20, 2024

Big Boy Reconquers the West

The world’s largest operating steam locomotive continues to draw massive crowds of support as it tours the American West.

A Magazine for Railfans

October 20, 2024

A Magazine for Railfans

How an avid reader from California was inspired to relocate to New Jersey and join the staff of Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

50 Years of Railfan

October 20, 2024

50 Years of Railfan

Tony Koester’s chance meeting with Hal Carstens in 1968 set forth the events that would lead to the launch of Railfan Magazine in 1974.

Arcade & Attica: Passing the Torch

September 18, 2024

Arcade & Attica: Passing the Torch

New York’s Arcade & Attica has long been known for its fleet of General Electric switchers, but in 2023 it became an Alco road.

Alcos Mexicano

September 18, 2024

Alcos Mexicano

We head south for a look at the many Alco and MLW diesels that ran south of the border between 1944 and 1981.