Railfan & Railroad August 2026

Features: Siskiyou Freight Finale by ERIC CORTINAS AND PARKER GIBSON— Troubled times for the former Southern Pacific route connecting Oregon and California. Southern’s Steam Legacy by KEVIN GILLIAM — Looking back at an ambitious steam excursion program launched by Southern Railway and carried on by Norfolk Southern. Big Burgundy Beasts by BRUCE KELLY — Burgundy CEFX SD9043MAC leaser units added a splash of color to freights on the Can-Am Corridor in the 1990s. Iowa River Railroad by HENRY JANSEN— Eight miles of pure short line railroading on a former Minneapolis & St. Louis branch serving a corn processing plant in Iowa. Santa Fe Secretary by STEVE PATTERSON — Working as an executive secretary was a whirlwind introduction to managerial work behind the scenes on the Santa Fe. Departments: Departures — commentary/Alexander Benjamin Craghead The Troubled Siskiyou Line Railnews — top news stories and photos from our readers Transit Currents — transit news/compiled by Bob Gallegos Railroadiana — new product, book, and video reviews Timetable — railroad event listings submitted by our readers Through My Lens — trackside memories/Kevin EuDaly Today Observation Car — Railroad culture/Justin Franz The S.S. Badger and Railroad Filmmaking Camera Bag — Photography tips and techniques/Justin Franz Then and Now Preservation Topics — Historic railway preservation/Kevin Gilliam Southern Steam: Where Are They Now? Markers — Additional thoughts from your editors Parting Shot — Samuel Phillips