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.
May 14, 2024
Milwaukee Electrics: Fifty Years Gone
Milwaukee Road’s bold and pioneering effort to electrify its main line across the mountains and prairies couldn’t compete with the economic realities of railroading in the 1970s.
May 14, 2024
The Unexpected Fairbanks-Morse: Part 2
Wrapping up our two-part examination of Fairbanks-Morse diesels from coal mines to steel mills, from freight yards to experimental passenger trains, and even some foreign operations.
April 17, 2024
R.J. Corman Lines in Kentucky
After R.J. Corman purchased the former Louisville & Nashville ‘Old Road’ from CSX in 2003, clever trackage rights agreements allowed the short line to develop steady new business and thrive.
April 17, 2024
The Unexpected Fairbanks-Morse: Part 1
While domestic production of Fairbanks-Morse locomotives was brief, its beefy diesels turned up in ‘unexpected’ short line, main line, and industrial operations from coast to coast.
March 14, 2024
Southern’s Royal Hudson
Long before CP 2816 ventured south, sister locomotive 2839 spent two years working for Southern Railway, powering excursions through unfamiliar territory.
March 14, 2024
CP 2816: Empress Returns
Ahead of a highly anticipated trip to Mexico, go behind the scenes of the restoration of Canadian Pacific 2816 and climb aboard the final test run.
February 19, 2024
Santa Fe’s Silent Sentinels
Photographer Ted Benson travels to the Land of Enchantment for a look at the last semaphore blades in service on a Class I railroad in America.
February 19, 2024
Central Electrics Land in Danbury
Two historic New York Central electrics had an uncertain fate at a power plant in New York until rescued by the Danbury Railway Museum.
January 15, 2024
Maine Attraction: Woodland Rail
Venture east to where America’s day begins for a look at changing times in Downeast Maine as a former Maine Central branch line finds new life under New Brunswick Southern.
January 15, 2024
A Tale of Two Idahos
Travel west for a look at the two personalities of railroading in the Gem State, from the arid southern region to the mountainous and forested northern panhandle.
