It was a very cold day on Saturday, February 8, 2024 as the Reading & Northern Railroad ran their first ever Winter Iron Horse Ramble using famed 4-8-4 #2102 on a round-trip between Reading and Jim Thorpe, PA. The locomotive easily handled its 16-car train at both the lower (and drier) elevations of the area, as well as the higher (and icier) elevations of the line. The locomotive and crew, as usual, put on a fine show - so enjoy this look at the Icy Iron Horse Ramble with Reading & Northern 2102!
The newest player in the steam excursion game is the Woodstown Central Railroad in southern New Jersey - and like most tourist railroads, they run special excursions at Christmas time. December 8, 2024 saw the Woodstown folks running their former US Army 0-6-0 #9 out of their South Woodstown station, heading northward towards the town of Swedesboro (where they have a runaround available). Multiple trips were run throughout the NJ countryside, from day to night - so there was a lot to catch! Enjoy this look at 2024 Christmas Trains at Woodstown Central Railroad!
Every year, the Cass Scenic Railroad hosts at least a few photographer's special trips. The railroad's fall trip is usually very popular, with many attendees. On May 3-4, 2025, the railroad went with the opposite direction and hosted a caboose charter, with 13 Patreon members attending the event, myself included.
This charter featured the railroad's 1929-built Heisler locomotive, traversing both branches of the railroad, stopping at various locations not usually used on the larger photo events - such as the first switchback, as well as a few smaller overlooks/water stops.
On Saturday, May 3, #6 made the 11-mile trip up Back Allegheny Mountain to Bald Knob, one of the highest points in West Virginia, performing numerous runbys along the way. On Sunday, May 4, the Heisler travelled along the former Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad's Durbin Line to it's namesake town, performing even more runbys along the way. On the way back, the sun finally came out for most of the remainder of the day, as we enjoyed a peaceful caboose ride with beautiful river views. Enjoy this look at Springtime With The Heisler: Cass Scenic Railroad's 2025 Spring Photo Special!
The Reading & Northern Railroad's "Year of Steam" continued with their third Iron Horse Ramble of 2025, this time taking the Lehigh Division once again to Tunkhannock, PA for the town's annual "Founder's Day" celebration. As was the case last year, the mighty 4-8-4 T1 #2102 led the charge from Nesquehoning, PA to Tunkhannock and back, and I was again trackside to capture the action. Enjoy this look at the 2025 Iron Horse Ramble: To Tunkhannock for Founder's Day!