By Justin Franz
As the year draws to a close, the editors of Railfan & Railroad Magazine are looking at some of the biggest stories in railroading in 2024. Be sure to check Railfan.com every weekday all year long for all your (free) railroad news and if you like what you see, consider subscribing.
It’s hard to deny that the 2020s are becoming a golden era for railroad preservation, from main line steam locomotives crossing the continent to long-awaited diesel restorations reaching the finish line. This year, there was no shortage of exciting news from the world of heritage railroading.
On the main line steam side of things, a Canadian 4-6-4 and an American 4-8-8-4 stole the show. In April, Canadian Pacific 2816 embarked on one of the most ambitious steam tours in the preservation era: a nearly 10,000-mile journey from Calgary to Mexico City and return. By almost every measure, the tour was a wild success and hopes are high that this regal Canadian will again return to the High Iron in the future. Meanwhile, Union Pacific “Big Boy” 4014 returned to the main line in a big way with two tours that brought the locomotive from California to Chicago and dozens of points in between.
Woodstown Central 0-6-0 9 returned to steam in New Jersey for the first time in decades. Photo by Steve Barry.
There were plenty of smaller steam locomotives also earning their keep in 2024, including a few that made a triumphant return this year after spending time out of the spotlight, including a 2-8-2 tank engine in British Columbia, a narrow gauge Mike in Alaska, and an 0-6-0 in New Jersey.
This year, a number of major steam restorations were also announced, ensuring that there will be plenty of exciting steam news in the years to come. Among the locomotives that could soon be making headlines include a Great Northern 4-6-2, a CP Pacific, and a log-hauling 2-8-2 in Washington State. But the most anticipated announcements came in the east with news that New York Central 4-8-2 3001 and Chesapeake & Ohio 4-8-4 614 were both being readied for the main line.
Diesels and electric locomotives also got their due in 2024. This year, two different groups saved two different Amtrak AEM-7 locomotives. The VIA Historical Association put the finishing touches on its FP9. A Santa Fe B40-8W was returned to its famed warbonnet scheme. Two Boston & Maine diesels made news in New England. A Norfolk & Western GP9 was saved in Virginia. Two Delaware & Hudson RS-3s found a new home in New York. The famed Flying Yankee moved to the Conway Scenic ahead of a long-awaited restoration. A Western Pacific GP35 ran again in Utah. And an Amtrak F40PH sported its iconic Phase III colors again in Nevada.
For fans of traction, there was plenty to celebrate. The National Capital Trolley Museum saved a rare “Auto-Railer.” San Francisco’s MUNI got a third “Boat Tram.” And PCC streetcars finally returned to regular revenue service in Philadelphia.
On the rolling stock side, a historic Virginia & Truckee combine came home to Nevada. N&W and NYC sleeping cars got a new lease on life. A Maine Central plow was restored in Connecticut. And two vintage Rio Grande flangers were put to good use in Utah.
VIA Rail FP9 6539 was restored by the VIA Historical Association in 2024. Photo by Kevin J. Holland.
