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.
July 22, 2021
Ten Years on the River
Pick almost any decade in the 20th century, and some aspect of railroading along the Upper Mississippi River changed profoundly. Despite changes in schedules and operators, the scenic wonder of this ancient river valley never falters.
July 22, 2021
American Locos in the Tropics: Yucatán Short Line
Located in the southernmost portion of Mexico, this short line across the Yucatán peninsula features hand-me-down American diesels clawing their way through dense cities and Mayan jungles.
June 17, 2021
SPSF: Shouldn’t Paint So Fast
Beginning in fall 1985, Southern Pacific and Santa Fe quickly rolled out their bright new SPSF merger image, never thinking their proposal would be denied. For trackside railfans, it meant an uncertain future for two giants of the West.
June 17, 2021
Alco Parts and EMD Hearts: Great Lakes Central Geeps
Riding on Alco trade-in trucks, these vintage Ann Arbor EMD GP35s are still going strong in home territory, now operated by Great Lakes Central.
June 1, 2021
Send your entries for the 2021 Railfan & Railroad Centerspread 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 August 2021 issue.
May 19, 2021
BNSF and UP: Garbage to the Gorge
BNSF and UP garbage trains destined for landfills at the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge provide great photographic opportunities for visiting railfans.
May 19, 2021
Pan Am’s Big Hook
The two wreck trains that Pan Am maintains are a rolling railroad museum, with a mix of vintage passenger and freight cars, and heavy hauling cranes.
April 15, 2021
Siemens: Charging into the Future
The Siemens SC-64 Charger is quickly becoming the new face of American passenger railroading in the 21st century.
April 15, 2021
Life of a Pioneer
From 1997 until 1997, Amtrak’s Pioneer replaced an important missing link for those traveling between Seattle and Salt Lake City and beyond.
March 16, 2021
Southern Pacific’s Sprint to the Finish
With the Southern Pacific era coming to a close as the Union Pacific merger loomed on the horizon in the mid-1990s, real main line action could be found on the Sunset Route in Arizona.
