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For the first time in 15 years, New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Alco RS-3 529 is expected to roll through Connecticut’s scenic Naugatuck Valley. Volunteers at the Railroad Museum of New England are feverishly working to complete an operational restoration of the locomotive, which includes returning it to its original orange-and-green New Haven livery. 

The 529 has been a staple at RMNE and the Naugatuck Railroad for 30 years. The engine was built by Alco in August 1950 and upgraded in 1959. It worked across the New Haven’s entire system, including the line between Waterbury and Torrington, which is now operated by the Naugatuck. The locomotive later worked for Penn Central and Conrail before being retired in August 1985. The following month, it was purchased by RMNE. The engine was later restored to its New Haven colors and has been working on the Naugy since September 1996. The locomotive is the sole survivor of the New Haven’s 62 RS-2 and RS-3 type locomotives. 

A number of cosmetic changes are currently being made to the locomotive, perhaps most notably, the restoration of its original headlight. Officials expect to have the locomotive ready for the Naugatuck Railroad’s 30th anniversary celebration the weekend of September 25-27. The event will feature night photo sessions and special excursions. For more information, visit RMNE.org. 

—Justin Franz 

The post New Haven RS-3 to Return to Service on the Naugatuck appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

Operations Suspended in Summerland, B.C. Following District-Wide Wildfire Evacuation

SUMMERLAND, B.C. - Operations at our Summerland facility have been temporarily suspended following an mandatory evacuation order issued for the entire District of Summerland and neighboring regional areas due to the rapidly spreading wildfire.

The order was expanded by local authorities and emergency management agencies following rapid wildfire growth driven by aggressive fire behavior in the South Okanagan. In accordance with official safety directives, all personnel were evacuated, and local facility operations have ceased until community access is cleared by emergency officials.

Impact on Orders and Fulfillment
As a direct result of the evacuation and local operational pause:

• Fulfillment On Hold: Order processing and outgoing shipments are completely suspended until an official order clearance is issued. 
• Pending Shipments: Existing pending orders remain saved in our system and will be prioritized for processing as soon as staff can safely return to the facility.
• Timeline Uncertainty: Because emergency conditions and re-entry timelines remain dependent on containment efforts and official safety assessments, we are unable to provide a precise date for resuming normal operations at this time.

Keeping Our Community and Customers Updated

The safety and well-being of our team, their families, and our local community remain our highest priority during this crisis. We extend our sincere gratitude to the BC Wildfire Service, local emergency responders, and regional support crews working under challenging conditions.

We are committed to maintaining transparent communication with all customers and stakeholders. Regular status reports and notice of resumption will be shared via Website Notice Updates.

While response times may be slower than usual due to limited remote connectivity, messages will be answered as conditions permit.

After six years with White River Productions, Associate Editor Justin Franz will be departing the staffs of Railfan & Railroad and Railroad Model Craftsman to accept a full-time position with the Center for Railroad Photography & Art. Justin will continue serving as a contributor to our monthly news columns.

During his time with R&R and RMC, Justin has helped develop engaging feature stories, manage our news coverage and regular contributors, support our online reporting, and bring the excitement of railroading to our readers each month. His knowledge of the railroad industry, strong journalistic instincts, and enthusiasm for telling meaningful stories have made him an important and valued member of our small editorial team.

While we are sorry to see Justin go, we are also excited for him as he begins this next chapter and continues his work documenting and sharing railroad history and photography. We are grateful for everything he has contributed to our magazines and wish him every success in his new role.

—Steve Barry and Otto M. Vondrak

The post Justin Franz Departs Railfan & Railroad for New Position appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.