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 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.
March 16, 2021
Sandaoling Steam Finale
Chinese steam makes its last stand at the Sandaoling coal mine where beefy 2-8-2s with familiar American lines serve out their days.
February 15, 2021
The Pilbara: Magic in 2011
An adventure to Australia to photograph busy iron ore railroads was a magical experience filled with friends, fun, and runaway ‘roos.
February 15, 2021
Chase the Chewelah: BNSF in the Northeast Washington Backwoods
This scenic former Great Northern branch in the northeastern Washington backwoods is home to BNSF Railway A-B-B-B-A GP60s and more.
January 17, 2021
Southern Railway of British Columbia
Based in New Westminster, B.C., the railway is owned by Washington Companies (which also owns Montana Rail Link) and operates on nearly 125 miles of track, stretching through the Lower Mainland and scenic Fraser Valley.
January 17, 2021
Portrait of the North: Ontario Railroading
In fall 2020, I embarked on a road trip across northern Ontario in an effort to capture photographs and discover how that storied railroading heritage has endured in some of the most rugged and challenging landscapes in the country. This is a portrait of the North, as seen through the railways that built a nation.
January 7, 2021
“Along the Line 2020” Deadline is January 20
Did you get trackside with your camera in 2020? Did you capture something rare, interesting, or scenic? Consider sharing your photos with your fellow readers in our annual “Along the Line” photographic year in review.
December 16, 2020
Remembering the Rio Grande Ski Train
A Denver tradition since the 1940s, the Rio Grande Ski Train carried on into the 21st century, and was reborn by Amtrak in 2015.
December 16, 2020
Remembering Algoma F-Units
Beloved by railfans, well known for the rugged Canadian Shield country it traverses, extremely photogenic, and renowned for friendliness, Algoma Central Railway got even better in 1995 when new owner Wisconsin Central added a fleet of classic F-units to haul their popular seasonal passenger trains.
