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.

Genesee & Wyoming at 125

June 19, 2024

Genesee & Wyoming at 125

What began as a lucrative salt mining enterprise in western New York has expanded in the last 40 years into the largest short line operator in the world.

From Maine Coast to Midcoast

June 19, 2024

From Maine Coast to Midcoast

Decades of change as several operators try to find success on the state-owned former Maine Central Rockland Branch, culminating in Finger Lakes Railway’s Midcoast Railservice.

Railfan & Railroad 50th Anniversary Celebration

June 18, 2024

Railfan & Railroad 50th Anniversary Celebration

All aboard! Join us November 8-10, 2024, for Railfan & Railroad’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in southern New Jersey!

Send Your Photos for the 2024 Center Spread Contest!

June 11, 2024

Send Your Photos for the 2024 Center Spread Contest!

The deadline to submit to the 2024 Center Spread Contest is July 15.

Milwaukee Electrics: Fifty Years Gone

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.

The Unexpected Fairbanks-Morse: Part 2

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.

R.J. Corman Lines in Kentucky

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.

The Unexpected Fairbanks-Morse: Part 1

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.

Southern’s Royal Hudson

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.

CP 2816: Empress Returns

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.