TRAINS December 2002

Greatest railroad show on Earth.
Yes, Virginia, there still is a place where steam runs everyday on trains that mean something. But you’ll have to travel around the world to see this spectacle. Sell your house! Liquidate your 401(k)! Just get there!


Trackside Guide: Portland, Ore.
The second in our series of pull-out guides to North America’s busiest rail hubs. In Portland, a seemingly endless stream of freights serves a busy Pacific Northwest port, while passengers delight in every manner of rail transportation, from Amtrak’s snazzy Cascades to clean, efficient light-rail trains and streetcars. We show you everything!


The new alphabet routes.
In New England, colorful short lines and aggressive Class 1s cooperate, and compete, to move traffic in and out of the region.


More boxes, fewer black diamonds.
Intermodal traffic may overtake coal as rails’ top revenue source by 2004. Our lead news story tells why.


In the Christmas spirit.
Holiday greetings from a different era, courtesy of the Chesapeake & Ohio.


Map of the Month: Pocahontas profiles.
The routes, profiles, and helper districts of railroads that fed the nation with its most important natural resource: Appalachian coal.


Plus in-depth news coverage, selected railroad reading, "Hot Shots" reader photo gallery, and more!