Features:

Michigan Central Station, Part One • by Emily Moser — At the turn of the last century, New York Central embarked on ambitious projects in New York and Detroit that would create new electric zones and build beautiful gateway terminals. Few realize the development of Grand Central Terminal and Michigan Central Station were so closely intertwined.

Providence & Worcester’s Middletown Cluster • by Adam Twombly — This group of former New Haven branch lines in central Connecticut is now busier than ever.

Operation North Pole • by Jennifer K. Nelson — This annual holiday tradition sponsored in part by Metra and Union Pacific benefits seriously ill children and their families.

Burlington Northern Along the Upper Mississippi • by Carl Graves — The old Chicago, Burlington & Quincy main line along the Mississippi River was awash in BN green in the 1990s.

Budd Cars for Portland • by Alexander B. Craghead — Oregon’s TriMet selected tried-and-true Budd RDCs to augment its fleet for its suburb-to-suburb commuter rail line.

Departments:

Camera Bag/tips and techniques: Steve Barry

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/Michael Wilson

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

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