December

1997

81
F E ATUR E S

e

Issue 409

Christmas: A Good Tnne for Riding Trains
C atch the long-standing link between trains and Christmas. by Bill Buchanan

30

Cal-P Offers an Infinite Variety
C alifornia Pacific is a line rich in history, scenery, and traffic. by Eric Blasko and Brian Jennison

34

Brian Solomon

D E PA R T M E N TS 4 5 8 12 14 18 22 27 82 88 88 70 72 74 78 78 80 82
Editorial Letters Expediter Expediter Special Report From the Cab Amtrak Commuter/Transit Norfolk Southern Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Regionals Canadian Pacific Railway CSX Transportation Conrail VIA Rail Canada Union Pacific The Last Word RaiiNews Classifieds RaiiNews Advertising Index

New River Rails
T his CSX Sub offers great tra in action in southern West Virginia. by Ole Bye

48

Northwestern Pacific's Undying Spirit
Though plagued with problems, Northwestern Pacific keeps rolling. by Sean Zwagerman

50

Images
Our c ontributors reflect on the holiday season.

58

Contributing Photographers

ABOVE:On December 24, 1 992, Green Moutain freight HR-l passes through Brockways Mills, Vermont. COVER: On a cloudless California morning in March 1 996, begrimed 681 5 leads WSRVM through Martinez. Eric Blasko photo

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