Railroads employed "date nails" to mark the last time ties were replaced. I have only come across these relics on what is now the CN Iron Range Sub and in Two Harbors outside the museum. The most... (more)

C_c_c_cold at -21C (-6F). But timing is everything as I managed to get both flashing lights on.

In 1995, high-tech propane switch heaters had yet to come to the CSX interlocking at Miller Tower in Cherry Run, WV. Old kerosene switch pots were still in use. They were dirty, smelly and requi... (more)

Glass telegraph insulators on display at the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum.

Christmas 'snow clear' is displayed as green over red on the northbound White River Junction South Siding Switch interlocking signal ahead of the Amtak Vermonter on Sunday night. During lightly f... (more)

A FEW MARBLES LEFT. On a back road in New Hampshire, an old crossing sign (with most of its marble reflectors intact) stands sentinel at twilight — just in case a lonely, midnight ... (more)

The Burn of Thermite - A BNSF MOW worker sets off a crucible of Thermite powder to join a pair of railroad rails by welding them in place.

Welding Rail - A BNSF joint elimination crew welds the rails that MOW workers had set in and placed the night before on main track #1 through the station at Fullerton California. I ... (more)

Hot Rail, Main Two! - BNSF MOW workers replace the track on Main #1 through the station at Fullerton California as a Westbound stack train passes at track speed a mere 6 feet away. ... (more)

End of the BNSF TRANSCON - BNSF MOW workers and their contractors replace the track on Main #1 through the station at Fullerton California. The last time this was done was 14 years ago... (more)

Snappin Track - Like on a large HO layout with Bachmann EZ Snap Track (C), BNSF MOW workers and their contractors replace the track on Main #1 through the station at Fullerton California... (more)

This was called a yard cleaner.... in BN's former Rice Yard, Denver. Cough, cough, wheeze; the operator even stands outside. The area is now Elitchs amusement park.

These two ES44AH engines and plow SC701 are crewed and waiting orders to move by the dispatcher. They will travel to Bayard, WVA, and plow from there to the Mt Storm Power plant, almost 30" of sno... (more)

The Barstow derrick and a contractor's truck crane move ice reefer NRC 19693 to a position where it can be re-trucked. The reefer was part of a multi-car derailment in the Needles Yard, July 21, 1... (more)

Lansing Board of Water & Light RS-1. From my slide collection by Andy Romano.