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Trains in the Snow

Winter brings a special challenge to both railroads and railfans. While the elements can take a toll on a photographer who ventures out into the cold, the images can be totally worth the effort. There is definitely something about a blanket of snow covering the ground that gives train photos a special look. Here are a few of our favorites…
Iowa, Chicago & Eastern SD40-2 #6430 plows through a snowpile at a grade crossing in South Dakota
The calendar says it's Spring, but Mother nature says otherwise. On April 26, 2008, Iowa, Chicago & Eastern SD40-2 #6430 plows through a snowpile at a grade crossing in South Dakota, on the DM&E main line.
CSX iron ore train rolling through the snow taken from the Grade Road bridge at Martinsburg, West Virginia, on February 14, 2014
On February 14, 2014, an eastbound hopper train is curving beneath the Grade Road bridge at Martinsburg, West Virginia. This is most likely an iron ore train, as evidenced by the reddish tinge on the cars and most eastbound coal trains here are loaded. The track off to the far right is the General Motors plant lead. The next photo was taken at the same location with the power, C40-8W #7774 and SD70MAC #4535, heading away from you.
CSX iron ore train rolling through the snow and heading away from you as it rolls beneath the Grade Road bridge at Martinsburg, West Virginia, on February 14, 2014
The westbound Capitol Limited, led by Amtrak P42 #88, kicks up powdery snow at the Point of Rocks station
Amtrak’s eastbound train #30, the “Capitol Limited,” is skating past the historic former B&O station at Point of Rocks behind a pair of stalwart P42DC’s on December 20, 2009. The sun is shining today, but most of the train’s route through Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland was pummeled with two feet of snow the day before, Photo by Alex Mayes.
In early 1988, a New Jersey Transit GG1 is plowing snow at Long Island City, New York
Who needs a plow when you’ve got a streamlined electric behemoth to ram its way through the drifts? In early 1988, a New Jersey Transit GG1 is making a dramatic trek into Long Island City, New York. Kodachrome by Bill Myers.
Delmarva Central diesel locomotives at the engine facility in Harrington, Delaware
Delaware was targetted by a substantial snowfall early in 2022. On January 4, 2022, a collection of Delmarva Central diesels, including MP15's, GP38-2's and a former Western Maryland SD40 are sitting in the serving facilty at Harrington.
Two Yorkrail GP9's and a Maryland & Pennsylvania (Ma & Pa) GP7 power westbound RJ-1 near Porters Sideling, Pennsylvania.
Two Yorkrail GP9's and a Maryland & Pennsylvania (Ma & Pa) GP7 power westbound RJ-1. The train uses the former Western Maryland York Branch, which meets the WM main line at Porters Sideling, Pennsylvania, just ahead. This branch paralleled the PRR’s Frederick Branch from York to Hanover. Yorkrail #1754 and 1756 are former B&O GP9’s #6490 and 6486. Just before Reading was absorbed into Conrail, Ma & Pa acquired the 621 and renumbered it 86, then to 1506 after the merger with Yorkrail.
Erie Lackawanna Fairbanks-Morse H24-66 #1860 accelerates through Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, in February 1969
Erie Lackawanna Fairbanks-Morse H24-66 #1860 is laying down a trail of white smoke as it accelerates through Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, in February 1969. The brick building to the right is the 104-year old freight station that was razed in 1971. Erie’s grand two-story passenger station was reconfigured into offices and housed a YMCA in 1903. It was saved from the wrecking ball and in 1982 was converted into the “Starrucca House,” a hotel and restaurant. Kodachrome by Dave Augsburger.
Conrail train entering Allentown yard at R Tower in a heavy snow during February 1979 behind SD40-2 #6465, a B23-7 and a GP8
From the windows of Allentown's R Tower, Mike Bednar caught this photo of Conrail BJ-4 entering “R” interlocking from Sayre in February 1979 behind SD40-2 #6465, a B23-7 and a GP8. The 18-inch snowfall is making a mess of things.
Union Pacific C44-9W and two SD70M's power a westbound intermodal train around the big s-curve at Rock Springs, Wyoming, on December 23, 2008
There is a light dusting of snow covering the western Wyoming landscape as an intermodal train approaches Rock Springs from the east on December 23, 2008, behind C44-9W (ex-CNW) #9797, SD70M (ex-SP) #3984 and SD70M #4091. Both the Union Pacific main line and Interstate 80 make a big sweeping s-curve as they enter town.
Norfolk Southern office train charges through the snow at Cove, Pennsylvania, on the former PRR main line near Harrisburg, behind F9 #4271
Snow fell very early across central Pennsylvania in 2011. Two days before Halloween, the Norfolk Southern office train charges eastbound through the snowstorm at Cove, Pennsylvania, on the former PRR main line near Harrisburg, behind their beautiful matched set of F-units.
Canadian Pacific SD40-2 #5660 with westbound freight train rolls through Grandview, Michigan, in the snow
Canadian Pacific SD40-2 #5660 heads through Grandview, Michigan, at the end of a winter storm. CP has trackage rights across Michigan on CSX's former Pere Marquette main line.
Central Railroad of New Jersey F3 sitting in the snow at Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
After a moderate snowfall, the restored Central Railroad of New Jersey F3's are seen on home rails at Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania on December 11, 2005.
Amtrak P40 #816 leads the eastbound Capitol Limited through an s-curve in the snow
Amtrak P40 #816 leads the eastbound Capitol Limited through an s-curve near Martinsburg, West Virginia, on a frigid Valentines Day in 2014.
Canadian Pacific SD40-2 #6027 switches cars in the former Milwaukee Road Nahant yard near the Quad Cities
On December 26, 2009, Canadian Pacific SD40-2 #6027 switches cars in the former Milwaukee Road Nahant yard near the Quad Cities.
Icy steps on a Reading & Northen diesel on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway at Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Snow might be great for railfan photography, but for the train crews that have to deal with it, plus the ice, the wind and the cold temperatures that go with it, winter can be very trying. These icy steps on the Reading & Northen SD50 assigned to the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway at Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, are a clear illustration as to just one of the many hazards they have to face during this time of year.
Two Norfolk Southern container trains passing each other at the west portal of the tunnel at Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, on the former PRR main line
On March 5, 2008, two Norfolk Southern container trains pass each other at the west portal of the tunnel at Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, on the ex-Pennsy main line. The train on the left is actually coming towards you -- those are helpers on the hind end of the train. Notice the gigantic icicles that have formed inside the abandoned tunnel on the left.
Amtrak F40PH #212 with a passenger train rushing through the snow in southwest Michigan
Amtrak F40PH #212 leaves a trail of snow in its wake on its way to Chicago as it heads west through rural southwest Michigan.
Conrail B36-7 leads a train through the snow on the former New York Central Water Level Route
A Conrail piggyback train led by B36-7 #5059 is approaching a grade crossing on the former New York Central Water Level Route during a lake effect snow squall in the mid-1980's.

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