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.

Kansas City Southern Farewell: Goodbye, Miss Belle

June 15, 2023

Kansas City Southern Farewell: Goodbye, Miss Belle

Kansas City Southern passes into history and we celebrate the memories across the decades, with an intimate look through the eyes of a longtime fan.

SEPTA at 40

June 15, 2023

SEPTA at 40

After unifying two separate commuter rail systems serving Philadelphia, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority looks to the future.

NJ Transit at 40

May 22, 2023

NJ Transit at 40

In the 40 years since the Garden State took full control of its commuter rail system, NJ Transit has expanded while facing challenges.

North Dakota Branch Lines Today

May 22, 2023

North Dakota Branch Lines Today

Great Northern Railway built a number of branch lines in North Dakota to secure its share of agricultural traffic, many served by BNSF today.

Metro-North at 40

April 19, 2023

Metro-North at 40

Approaching middle age, the venerable commuter railroad faces some new challenges with reduced ridership in the wake of a post-pandemic world.

A Decade of D&H Alco PAs

April 19, 2023

A Decade of D&H Alco PAs

The arrival of four former Santa Fe Alco PAs in 1967 ushered in a decade of colorful Delaware & Hudson passenger operations.

Modern Missabe

March 16, 2023

Modern Missabe

The changing face of the modern Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range includes a fleet of rebuilt Canadian National General Electric C40-9Ws.

Last Dance for Indiana SD90MACs

March 16, 2023

Last Dance for Indiana SD90MACs

Once the front-runner in the high-horsepower race, Indiana Rail Road is running the last miles on their fleet of SD90MACs.

25 Years of Union Pacifc on Donner Pass

February 21, 2023

25 Years of Union Pacifc on Donner Pass

Since Union Pacific absorbed Southern Pacific in 1996, the battle for the mountain over Donner Pass has not relented.

Raritan Central Railway

February 21, 2023

Raritan Central Railway

This busy switching railroad serves a suburban New Jersey industrial park located on a former Lehigh Valley branch line.