Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Based out of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, the Delaware River Railroad saw the return of 142 to steam in late 2025. Returning just in time for the "Bel-Del's" Pumpkin trains, the 142 had been out of service for a number of years for a Federally mandated FRA Form 4 inspection - better known as the 1472.
142 is a Chinese built ShangYou (SY) class Mikado, built in 1989 by the Tangshan Locomotive works for the Valley Railroad of Essex Connecticut as number 1647. When the Susquehanna Railroad's own SY, number 141, ordered from Tangshan fell into the Atlantic ocean in an accident, the Susquehanna purchased the SY 1647 from the Valley Railroad, which would become Susquehanna 142, replacing 141. After several years of use as a PR tool leading excursions over the Susquehanna, the engine would end up here, on the newly formed Delware River Railroad Excursions.
Based out of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, the Delaware River Railroad saw the return of 142 to steam in late 2025. Returning just in time for the "Bel-Del's" Pumpkin trains, the 142 had been out of service for a number of years for a Federally mandated FRA Form 4 inspection - better known as the 1472.
142 is a Chinese built ShangYou (SY) class Mikado, built in 1989 by the Tangshan Locomotive works for the Valley Railroad of Essex Connecticut as number 1647. When the Susquehanna Railroad's own SY, number 141, ordered from Tangshan fell into the Atlantic ocean in an accident, the Susquehanna purchased the SY 1647 from the Valley Railroad, which would become Susquehanna 142, replacing 141. After several years of use as a PR tool leading excursions over the Susquehanna, the engine would end up here, on the newly formed Delware River Railroad Excursions.
![[4K] Polar Express Steam Train - Western Maryland 1309](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/S_FgnkOcEfs/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Polar Express Steam Train - Western Maryland 1309
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 2-6-6-2 1309 powers a series of Polar Express excursions. This 1949-built Baldwin Mallet takes charge with these Christmas trains up the former WMRY and Cumberland & Pittsburgh Railroad to Frostburg Depot.
For more information about WMSR and upcoming excursions visit www.wmsr.com.")
![[4K] Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Christmas Trains](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SjtcLFriHrY/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Christmas Trains
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad operates along the scenic Tuckasegee River out of Bryson City, North Carolina. Once the former Southern Railway Murphy Branch, tourist trains have operated along the Great Smoky Mountains since 1991.
Operating westbound is steam locomotive 1702. This former Army S160 2-8-0 was built in 1942 by Baldwin and retained for use in the United States. It was sold to the Reader Railroad and extensively modified with a changed pilot, cab and larger tender. It has been part of the GSMR roster since 1991, operating until 2004. The 1702 received a 1472-day rebuild that was completed in 2016.
Diesels featured include GP38-2 2335 and GP9 1755.
Also featured on the Polar Express trips is former Erie Mining FP9A 4210.
0:00 Opening
1:32 Diesels eastbound (MrBeast train crash site)
3:24 Dillsboro
5:23 Departing Dillsboro
7:13 Wilmot
12:07 Whittier
13:16 Ela
14:11 Kituwah
15:41 Ferguson Hill
17:55 Tuckasegee River
19:34 Bryson City Turntable
23:00 FP9A 4210 on Polar Express
27:41 Closer")
![[4K] Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Steam Train](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Tgt4A673-lU/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Steam Train
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad operates on 64 miles between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. Once an important portion of the vast Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge trackage, today the C&TS operates over the largely unchanged mountainous gorges and vast desert terrain of Colorado and New Mexico.
Operating on these tracks is a number of former D&RGW K-36 2-8-2 Mikado steam locomotives, working just as much as they did when built in 1925. As a celebration of the K-36 centennial in 2025, a number of events operated to showcase the locomotives as they once ran in revenue service as late as 1968. With grades of up to 4%, helpers were often needed to Cumbres Pass. Its close to original steam freight action one can find.
0:00 Opening
4:13 Tripleheader runby
6:01 Regular train from Chama to Osier
21:03 Freights with 488 lead and 484 helper trains Chama over Cumbres Pass
39:21 484 solo freight to Antonito
48:29 Freight with 488 lead and 484 helper from Antonito to Cumbres Pass
1:01:58 Regular train return to Chama")
![[4K] The Valley Railroad - Essex Steam Train](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/V-STXNbmZo0/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] The Valley Railroad - Essex Steam Train
The Valley Railroad, aka the Essex Steam Train, operates on several miles of former New Haven trackage out of Essex, Connecticut. Since 1971, this scenic line operates north along the Connecticut River to Deep River and Chester. With regular steam operations and finely restored heavyweight passenger cars, its a great line to relive the steam era.
Featured in this video is 2-8-0 97. This 1923-built Alco was originally built to run in Cuba, but ended up as Birmingham & Southeastern 200 in Alabama shortline service from 1926 to 1958. After a brief mainline career in Connecticut and renumbering to 97, it became part of the Valley Railroad roster in 1970. The 97 was the main power at Essex from 1973 to 2010, operating alongside 2-8-2 40. After a few years displayed, the 97 returned to service in 2018. This video shows 97 on several days of regular tourist trains and a Dak Dillon photographer’s special in October 2024.
0:00 Opening
1:08 Departing Essex Station
2:54 Old Deep River Road
5:19 Essex Street
6:11 Deep River Station
7:08 Chester
8:27 Dock Road
9:24 Ferry Road
10:11 Return trip
14:30 Photo Special runbys
20:02 Closer and Credits")
![[4K] Woodstown Central Steam Train](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/V8L-xgLy1LY/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Woodstown Central Steam Train
Woodstown Central Railroad debuts 0-6-0 9 on Santa Claus Specials between South Woodstown Station and Swedsboro, NJ in late 2024.
This 1942-built Alco switcher operated for the US Army out of Fort Dix, NJ and Fort Eustis, VA until 1958. It was sold to the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway of Piney River, VA and operated as 9 until 1963. It was sold to the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad and operated tourist trains sporadically in the 1960s and 1970s, operating as late as 1981. After years of sitting in New Hope, it was sold in 2009 to switching operation SMS Rail Lines of Bridgeport, NJ to begin a thorough rebuild, ultimately spanning 14 years.
The November 30-December 1 weekend in 2024 would mark the first public runs for engine (engine) #9 at Woodstown, and the engines first public trips in decades. SMS Rail Lines has been operating on the Woodstown Central Railroad since 2022, on a few miles of former Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines between Salem and Swedsboro. As the debut weekend had the operators learning how the 9 would perform on the line, former PRSL GP38-3 2003 led trips north into Swedsboro, with the 9 putting on an impressive show back south.
0:00 Opening
0:32 South Woodstown Station
1:50 GP38-3 2003 northbound
3:24 Departing Swedsboro
4:31 Kings Highway & Ogden Road
5:25 Oldmans Creek Road
6:08 Russell Mill Road
6:49 Swedsboro Road
7:52 Point Airy Road
8:44 Entering Woodstown
9:17 Memorial Lake
9:53 South Woodstown Station
11:14 Northbound
12:20 Oldmans Creek Bridge")
