Features:

Blue Beasts of the Berkshires • by Gary R. Schermerhorn — Conrail assigned its fleet of high-horsepower General Electric diesels to tackle the tough grades over the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. We take a look back at the grand show put on by Big Blue in the years leading up to the CSX merger in 1999.

Leaving Boston • by Dan P. Lowe — More than 180 years of continuous through service came to an end when CSX pulled back from its Boston terminal at the end of 2018.

Boston’s Last Freight Train • by David A. Blazejewski — While Pan Am Railway’s BO-1 goes on duty in the shadow of Boston’s skyline, the customers served are outside the city limits.

NC&StL 576 on the Move • by Ralcon Wagner — CSX teamed up with Nashville Steam Preservation Society to give NC&StL 576 a splashy send-off before moving to its new home.

Lancaster & Chester • by Michael D. Harding — Serving South Carolina industry for more than 100 years, Lancaster & Chester is a laid-back and colorful country short line.

Departments:

Capitol Lines/commentary from Washington: Don Phillips

Departures/commentary: Alexander Benjamin Craghead

LocoNotes/diesel spotters: Kenneth M. Ardinger

Markers/additional thoughts from your editors

On The Menu/railroad dining, art, and culture: James D. Porterfield

Parting Shot/Lance Shott

Preservation Topics/this stuff is old, man: Mitch Markovitz

Rail Technology/how it works: David C. Lester

Railnews/top news stories and photos from our readers

Railroadiana/new product, book, and video reviews

Through My Lens/trackside memories: Kevin EuDaly

Timetable/railroad event listings submitted by our readers

Transit Currents/transit news: Bob Gallegos