Features:

CRP&A Creative Photography Awards: SMOKE
SPECIAL— “Smoke” was the theme of the Center for Railroad Photography & Art’s 2025 John E. Gruber Creative Photography Awards.

Countdown to Conrail: Part 3
by VICTOR HAND— The conclusion of the United States Railroad Association story, leading up to conveyance to Conrail on April 1, 1976.

Conrail’s Boston Line
by TIM DOHERTY— Conrail transformed the historic Boston & Albany route over the Berkshires into a vital link for New England traffic.

After ConRail: The Fate of the Fallen Flags
by OTTO M. VONDRAK— After Conrail took over in 1976, many of the component bankrupt railroads were liquidated, reborn, or transformed.

Conrail Business Cars
by BROCK KERCHNER AND WES REMINDER— The history of the non-revenue passenger fleet from Conrail blue to Pullman Green.

Wayfreights at Waterford
by GREG MCDONNELL— A brief encounter between Conrail and Canadian Pacific freight trains at Waterford, Ont., in 1980.

A.I. Algorithms in the Archives
by RON FLANARY— Are artificial intelligence-powered photo-enhancement tools an emerging creative frontier, or a new test of trust?

Departments:

Departures — commentary/Alexander Benjamin Craghead 
Conrail’s Legacy 50 Years Later

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
Danger in the Digital World

The High Iron — Railroaders share their stories/Greg Lund
Dispatching Puzzles and Conrail Commuters

Camera Bag — Photography tips and techniques/Justin Franz
In Search of ‘Silent Monoliths’ with Jeff Brouws

Observation Car — Railroad culture/Otto M. Vondrak
 Conrail: Can Openers and True Blue

Markers — Additional thoughts from your editors

Parting Shot — John F. Bjorklund