Trains January 2026

Sunshine State Short Lines: Florida’s short line railroads are thriving, operating more miles than the state’s Class I railroads. Fueled by the Sunshine State’s rapid population and economic growth, these railroads have successfully adapted to serving diverse industries. Their entrepreneurial spirit and close-knit relationships with customers have resulted in substantial carload growth.

Other Can’t Miss Stories:

• New Life for a Former Army Switcher: Jeffrey Smith details the restoration of 0-6-0 ex-Army switcher No. 9, which moved under its own power in November 2023 for the first time in 42 years. The locomotive, a 1942 Alco-built S155 class, served in WWII, and is now operational on the newly formed Woodstown Central Railroad in New Jersey.
• Trains and Scenery on Highway 59: With the 2023 merger of Kansas City Southern into Canadian Pacific to form Canadian Pacific Kansas City, the KCS north-south segment between Kansas City and Shreveport became the single link in the chain between CPKC’s many Midwest routes and the tracks in Texas, Louisiana, and beyond. As it cuts across Mid-America, much of this critical link is near and along Highway 59.
• And more!