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.
April 20, 2022
Iowa Northern’s Corn Belt Revival
Given up for dead by Chicago & North Western in the 1990s, Iowa Northern has transformed this Chicago Great Western branch line into a successful short line operation.
April 20, 2022
Canadian National’s Fox Valley Finale
Exploring Canadian National Fox Valley branch lines around Appleton, Wisconsin, in the final months before takeover by Watco.
March 15, 2022
Flathead Freights: BNSF in Northwest Montana
The BNSF Railway local road freight works five or even six days a week serving the timber and agricultural industries that survive here in Northwest Montana.
March 15, 2022
A Look Back at Bessemer
Other than the paint, the Bessemer & Lake Erie looks much the same today as it did in 2010 when orange locomotives made up the entire roster.
February 14, 2022
The Pilbara: More Magic
The majestic Pilbara region in Western Australia features iron ore action like no other railroad on earth — one trip wasn’t enough!
February 14, 2022
Pikes Peak Cog Railway Revival
When the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway announced its shutdown for maintenance in 2018, many doubted it would ever reopen to carry passengers to the top of the mountains ever again…
January 18, 2022
Pan Am Railways’ East End
Tracking the action on the former Maine Central lines from Mattawamkeag to Waterville on Pan Am Railways’ east end.
January 17, 2022
Snow Battle in Huron County
In 2014, Goderich-Exeter Railway waged battle against Mother Nature to keep its southern Ontario main line open for freight and passenger service.
December 31, 2021
Railnews Review 2021: A Look Back at the Biggest Stories in Railroading
The editors of Railfan & Railroad take a look back at the biggest railroad stories of the year, while also looking ahead to see what railroading will look like in 2022.
December 21, 2021
Last Stand for Southern Pacific Searchlights
Once a common sight across the Southern Pacific system, the last of the Union Switch & Signal searchlight-style signals are finally being retired.
