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OCTOBER 2025: Our Annual All-Alco Issue kicks off with a beautiful photo essay by Ted Benson and Dave Stanley covering the final years of common carrier operation on the Nevada Northern, coupled with a story by Associate Editor Justin Franz about the current roster of preserved diesels at the museum. Andrew Nelson looks back at the Alco era on Lake Superior & Ishpeming, while Justin Franz and Otto Vondrak recap the amazing three-decade journey to restore to operation one of the last surviving Alco PA diesels. All this and more in the October issue of Railfan & Railroad!

This Month

October 2025

Volume 44, No. 10

Features

Alcos in Indian Summer

by TED BENSON — The waning years of Nevada Northern’s common-carrier freight service provided great opportunities for Alco action in the desert.

The Diesels of Ely

by JUSTIN FRANZ — While the steam locomotives get most of the attention, the Nevada Northern diesel fleet includes Alcos, Baldwins, and more.

Dragon Queens of Michigan

by CRAIG RUTHERFORD — Chesapeake & Ohio’s hardworking Alco RSD-7s left the Virginia coalfields to finish their careers in the Motor City.

The Last C-430

by OTTO M. VONDRAK — Out of only 16 built, New York’s Livonia, Avon & Lakeville is home to the last Alco C-430 in regular freight service.

Ore Country Alcos

by ANDREW S. NELSON— Catching the tail end of the Alco era in Michigan’s iron ore country on Lake Superior & Ishpeming.

From Relic to Runner

by JUSTIN FRANZ and OTTO M. VONDRAK— Genesee Valley Transportation’s restored Alco PA fulfills a dream three decades in the making.

Departments

Departures/commentary: Alexander Benjamin Craghead

Railnews/top news stories and photos from our readers: Justin Franz

Transit Currents/transit news: Bob Gallegos

Railroadiana/new product, book, and video reviews

Timetable/railroad event listings submitted by our readers

Through My Lens/trackside adventures and memories: Kevin EuDaly

Business & Technology/how it works: David C. Lester

Camera Bag/photography tips and techniques

Destinations/detours and distractions along the right of way

Observation Car/railroad culture, dining, and art

High Iron/railroaders share their stories

Preservation Topics/this stuff is old, man

Markers/editorial commentary and musings

Parting Shot

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From steam to diesel, main line to short line, Railfan & Railroad Magazine takes you trackside.