Summer 2025: Canadian streamliners, Chicago Union Station at 100, and more

Canadian streamliners, Chicago Union Station’s 100th anniversary, and Amtrak trains skirting Long Island Sound headline the latest issue of Railroad Heritage, the Center’s quarterly member magazine. Inside you’ll find:

Trans-Canadian Classics: Seventy years after their debut, Justin Franz spotlights two of North America’s most famous passenger trains, Canadian Pacific’s Canadian and Canadian National’s Super Continental, accompanied by spectacular photographs from the Center’s archive—including gems by Ronald C. Hill, Victor Hand, Jim Shaughnessy, J. Parker Lamb, Henry Posner III, and John Bjorklund.
A City of a Station: A striking black-and-white photographic essay celebrating Chicago Union Station’s centennial year featuring images from the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s. Thrill to classic scenes in and around the station, with trains from the Pennsylvania Railroad, Burlington, Milwaukee Road, Amtrak, and more. It’s headlined by in-depth portrayals by John Gruber and Wallace Abbey, with additional images by Jim Shaughnessy and Victor Hand, plus an essay by Scott Lothes.
Railroads and the Art of Place: Al Crossley takes us to southeastern Connecticut’s Rocky Neck State Park along Long Island Sound, where the trains of Amtrak and Connecticut DOT pass through a beautiful, tranquil shoreline beloved by beachgoers, joggers, wildlife—and railfans.
In her “Out of the Archives” column, Adrienne Evans dives into the latest addition to the John Gruber Collection: 228 19th century photographs made by traveling railcar studios that brought photography to the masses along the nascent U.S. rail network between 1858 through 1920.
Conversations 2025: Coverage of this year’s annual conference and its amazing presentations, with plenty of photos from the May 16-18 weekend.
The Extra Ingredient—People: Inga Velten interviews rail preservationist, art collector, and Center supporter John Atherton.
The Kalmbach Art Collection exhibition in Milwaukee, a tribute to the late J. Parker Lamb, and new staff member Shelby Shull … plus more news.

Become a Center member today to get four issues a year!

Spring 2025: Photographers to Watch, Chicago & Iowa, Michigan Central Station and more

The Spring 2025 issue of Railroad Heritage is bursting with spectacular images! In the cover story, Elrond Lawrence introduces ten emerging talents in the railroad photography world — Nat Blair, Eric Cortinas, Isaac Fulford, Gregory Grice, Steven McKay, John Riley, Nate Shedd, Jake Siegel, Hunter Williams … and Spencer Montgomery, whose bold image graces the cover. Other highlights include:

Andrew Nelson takes us to the BNSF Chicago & Iowa main line in his “Railroads and the Art of Place” photo feature;
Kevin Keefe tells the story of Michigan Central Station’s dazzling resurrection;
In “Out of the Archives,” Adrienne Evans explains CRP&A’s revised collections policy;
Justin Franz tells the story of Jim Shaughnessy and the Wiscasset schooners;
Kalmbach Art Collection exhibition news;
Plus Center news, 2024 donors, and more!

This issue is out of print.

Zoom program: Tracking the Long Island Rail Road with Joe Stroppel

Long Island photographer Joe Stroppel will share spectacular scenes from his adventures growing up along the tracks of the Long Island Rail Road, the busiest commuter railroad in North America.

Joe’s photography will include captures of a variety of equipment — from fast, new M7 & M9 electric trains to 1970s-delivered MP15AC-hauled work trains plodding along the rails. You’ll also enjoy dramatic weather conditions, historic LIRR landmarks, and some of the most beautiful scenery the Island has to offer. Branch lines prominently featured will be the Main Line, Oyster Bay Branch (where Joe grew up), and the Montauk Branch, though there will be various other selections of interesting LIRR locations taken from Joe’s portfolio.

“The Route of the Dashing Commuter” is a fascinating operation in a hard-to-access location for many railroad photographers … the traffic over NYC’s bridges is absolutely devastating at rush hour, which is unfortunately when the LIRR puts on its most exciting show! Joe hopes to share some of the railroad’s most interesting characteristics for those who haven’t yet experienced it.

Tuesday, April 8, at 7:00 P.M. (U.S. Central Time); 5 pm PT / 6 pm MT / 8 pm ET

This program was recorded and will be posted soon on our YouTube page at @railphotoart

Pictured:

“Colorful Wilds”: During peak leaf peeping season on Long Island’s East End, a train bracketed by EMD DM30ACs rockets through the gorgeous Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in Shirley, NY. The two dual mode engines are flying eastward with 8710, an express service to Montauk.

“Twilight at Jay”: Fresh snow has just fallen on the morning of January 7, 2022. During the evening rush hour, in gorgeous twilight, a train of Bombardier M7s snakes past JAY tower and over the flyover in Jamaica, Queens. The flaming switch heaters below the train and the mountain-like purple clouds above greatly enhance the beauty of the scene.

Winter 2025: Western Maryland, Chicago’s Field Museum, John Signor, and more

The Winter 2025 issue of Railroad Heritage, our quarterly magazine, is filled with plenty of gifts just in time for the holidays. Inside you’ll find inspiring photography, art, and stories:

A stunning photo essay by Roger Cook and Karl Zimmermann about their 1970s Western Maryland experiences in Williamsport, Maryland;
The surprising connections between railroads and Chicago’s Field Museum, examined by Fred Ash, illustrated by historic photography and beautiful color Illinois Central posters;
Archivist Heather Sonntag interviews John Signor, artist, railroader, and author of western railroading books such as Tehachapi, Donner Pass, and more, and we include eight of his great oil paintings;
The winning images of the 2024 John E. Gruber Creative Photography Awards;
Learn about requesting images from the Center in the “Out of the Archives” column by director of archives & collections Adrienne Evans and reference & processing archivist Gil Taylor;
The 60th anniversary of Japan’s bullet trains, with photos by Victor Hand;
News of exhibitions and events – we’ve already planned several Zoom topics for 2025!

Member-exclusive program: CRP&A Collections Update

Join us Tuesday, December 17, for this members-only presentation! Executive director Scott Lothes will provide an update on the changes we’re making to the Center’s photography collections policy, which will shape future accessions. He’ll share results and takeaways from the recent members survey about our collections work, as well as next steps for 2025.

And of course, we’ll illustrate the program with favorite images from several collections, as well as a few newly processed images.

Registration is CLOSED. If you’re a Center member, email info(a)railphoto-art.org to receive a recorded copy of the presentation later this month.

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

7:00 PM (U.S. Central Time), on Zoom; 5 pm PT / 6 pm MT / 8 pm ET

If you’re not a member, please join today to support our preservation work and receive our quarterly magazine Railroad Heritage, plus access to our members-only Zoom programs.

Western Maryland F7 64 leads an eastbound at Helmstetter’s Curve in Cumberland, Md., on March 23, 1975. Photo by John F. Bjorklund, Bjorklund-92-07-04.

Pennsylvania Railroad 4-6-2 5497 leads an eastbound out of Chicago at 21st Street Tower in October 1950. Photograph by Wallace W. Abbey, Abbey-01-130-05.