OCTOBER 2013 RAILFAN vol. 32, no. 10/RAILROAD vol. 135, no. 7
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EVERYTHING’S BIGGER IN TEXAS: The east Texas town of Big Sandy is host to one of the busiest junctions on Union Pacific, home to a crossing of the old Texas & Pacific and Cotton Belt lines. STEVE SCHMOLLINGER
This Month’s Features
26 Princeton’s Shrinky-Dink/Patrick Yough Amid controversy, one of the shortest regularly scheduled passenger runs in America is about to get a little shorter.
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30 San Diego’s Silver Line/Michael Burkhart San Diego’s downtown loop debuts with a classic PCC trolley, and more are on the way.
34 Tunnels, Trestles, and Coal/Eric Miller Norfolk Southern’s Clinch Valley District in southwestern Virginia is marked by tall trestles, close-clearance tunnels, and plenty of coal.
40 Big Sandy/Steve Schmollinger
Just park under a shade tree and wait for the trains to come to you in this small east Texas town with big time railroad action.
34 On the Cover
In a pouring rain at the end of a “Dogwood Winter,” westbound empties work upgrade out of Holbrook Tunnel and across the Hamilton Trestle on April 27, 2013. Spindly trestles and ancient tunnel bores are what give Norfolk Southern’s Clinch Valley District in southwestern
Virginia its distinct
character. Take a tour starting on page 34. ERIC MILLER PHOTO
58 Alaskan Steam Update/Steve Barry We explore the surviving examples of steam in the 49th State, and get an update on the future return of Alaska Railroad 557.
Departments
4 Departures/commentary: Alexander B. Craghead 6 On the Menu/dining by rail: James D. Porterfield
12 Capitol Lines/news from Washington: Wes Vernon 14 Camera Bag/photography technique/Greg Monroe 22 Railnews/top news stories and photos 48 Railroadiana/new products, books and videos 50 Transit Currents/transit news: George M. Smerk 54 Markers/editorial commentary 57 Advertising Index/the railfan marketplace 64 Final Frame
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ERIC MILLER
PATRICK YOUGH
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