Trains – October 2019

Editor Jim Wrinn
Art Director Thomas G. Danneman
Production Editor Angela Pusztai-Pasternak
Associate Editor David Lassen
Associate Editor Brian Schmidt
Digital Editor Steve Sweeney
Editorial Assistant Diane Laska-Swanke
Senior Graphic Designer Scott Krall
Graphic Designer Samantha Primuth
Lead Illustrator Rick Johnson
Production Specialist Sue Hollinger-Klahn
Librarian Thomas Hoffmann
Editorial Director Diane M. Bacha

Columnists
Fred W. Frailey, Brian Solomon

Correspondents
Roy Blanchard, Michael W. Blaszak, Al DiCenso,
Hayley Enoch, Justin Franz, Steve Glischinski,
Chase Gunnoe, Chris Guss, Scott A. Hartley,
Bob Johnston, Kevin P. Keefe, David Lustig,
Bill Stephens
Contributing Illustrator Bill Metzger

CUSTOMER SERVICE

phone: (877) 246-

Outside the U.S. and Canada: (903) 636-

Customer Service: [email protected]

ADVERTISING SALES

Advertising Sales Representative Mike Yuhas

phone: (888) 558-1544, ex t. 625

email: [email protected]

EDITORIAL

phone: (262) 796-

email: [email protected]

fax: (262) 798-

P.O. Box 1612

Waukesha, WI 53187-

Founder A.C. Kalmbach, 1910-

SELLING TRAINS MAGAZINE OR PRODUCTS IN YOUR STORE:

phone: 800-558-

Outside U.S. and Canada: 262-796-8776, ex t. 818

email: [email protected]

website: http://www.Retailers.Kalmbach.com

TRAINS HOME PAGE

http://www.TrainsMag.com

KALMBACH MEDIA

Chief Executive Officer Dan Hickey

Senior Vice President, Finance Christine Metcalf

Senior Vice President, Consumer Marketing Nicole McGuire

Vice President, Content Stephen C. George

Vice President, Operations Brian J. Schmidt

Vice President, Human Resources Sarah A. Horner

Senior Director, Advertising Sales and Events David T. Sherman

Advertising Sales Director Scott Redmond

Circulation Director Liz Runyon

Director of Design & Production Michael Soliday

New Business Manager Cathy Daniels

Retention Manager Kathy Steele

Single-Copy Specialist Kim Redmond

Subscription rate: single copy: $6.99; U.S. 1 year

(12 issues) $42.95; 2 years (24 issues) $79.95; 3 years

(36 issues) $114.95. Canadian: Add $12.00 postage per

year. All other international subscriptions: Add $15.

postage per year. Payable in U.S. funds, drawn on a

U.S. bank RT.

©2019 Kalmbach Media Co. Any publication, reproduc-

tion, or use without express permission in writing of any

text, illustration, or photographic content in any manner

is prohibited except for inclusion of brief quotations

when credit is given. Title registered as trademark.

TRAINS assumes no responsibility for the safe return of

unsolicited photos, artwork, or manuscripts. Acceptable

photos are paid for upon publication. Photos to be

returned must include return postage. Feature articles

are paid for upon acceptance. For information about

submitting photos or articles, see Contributor Guidelines

at http://www.TrainsMag.com. Printed in U.S.A. All rights

reserved. Member, Alliance for Audited Media.

U.S. 220, Highway 30, Route 66 ... they all have one

thing in common: great railroad action

Carefree highway,

take me to the tracks

ren Helbok’s story about U.S. 220,
Eastern America’s vaunted railfan
road, evokes multiple thoughts and
feelings for me. I first was told of
220’s charms as a young railroad
enthusiast more than 30 years ago. Over the
years, as my curiosity caused me to travel, I
learned just how apt the informal designation
was. I am happy that it still is so: All of the major
sites and sights along the way were enough to
convince me that it truly is a gateway to great

main lines, museums, and much more.

Of course, U.S. 220 is but one of many roads

that we who love trains particularly like to travel.

There’s U.S. 30 along Union Pacific’s busy main

line across Nebraska, including a wonderful

stretch of triple track between Gibbon and North

Platte that is super busy. There’s Route 66 in

northern Arizona, where BNSF Railway’s busy

main line is filled with scenic delight and Santa

Fe mystique. There are locally famous highways,

too. When I lived in North Carolina, U.S. 29

provided a magnificent grandstand to Norfolk

Southern’s former Southern Railway main line

between Alexandria, Va., and Atlanta.

Of course, not everyone is so fortunate to

have a principal highway serve as a portal to rail-

road exploration and adventure. Here in Wiscon-

sin, railroads cut across the landscape at all

angles while most roads are on a grid. It feels like

a long way between grade crossings.

So, if you live in an area with its own railfan

road, consider yourself lucky. I hope you get to

travel it often. And if you aren’t within reach of a

day trip, think about a vacation on Highway 220,

U.S. 30, Route 66, or another railfan road. They’re

out there to get you close to the action, in touch

with history, and never lose sight of either.

HERITAGE POSTCARD SET

This month’s “Ask TRAINS” on page

56 answers the question, “Why do

railroads paint heritage units?”

We know why: They’re spiffy

reminders of the past and teach-

able lessons for the public and

employees. That’s one reason we

made the Legendary Locomotives

Postcards set, 50 great images of

heritage units and other special

paint schemes. It’s available now

at KalmbachHobbyStore.com

PUZZLING TIMES

Also at the above web address,

you’ll find our new, exclusive puz-

zles of Big Boy No. 4014 and the

magnificent Skookum locomotive.

LEGENDARY

LOCOMOTIVES

POSTCARDS50 CARDS FEATURING

VIBRANT PAINT SCHEMES

TrainsMag.com 3

O

FROM THE EDITOR

Jim Wrinn

[email protected]

@TrainsMagazine

@trains_magazine

A favorite location on the Union Pacific main line
along U.S. 30 in Nebraska is Buttermilk Curve near
Brady, east of North Platte. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn