Justin Franz
@justinfranz.bsky.social
Freelance writer, photographer & editor focusing on the railroad industry, local news in Northwest Montana and whatever else I find interesting.
Twelve months, twelve images. Every December, I hem and haw about my favorite railroad photos from the previous year. It's always a challenge, but what is always clear is that the railroad world is as interesting as ever. Check out the full set on Substack: justinfranz.substack.com/p/2025-a-yea...
December 29, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Twelve months, twelve images. Every December, I hem and haw about my favorite railroad photos from the previous year. It's always a challenge, but what is always clear is that the railroad world is as interesting as ever. Check out the full set on Substack: justinfranz.substack.com/p/2025-a-yea...
Reposted by Justin Franz
The Nevada State Railroad Museum recently completed the restoration of Virginia & Truckee Transfer Car 1 railfan.com/nevada-state...
Nevada State Railroad Museum Restores V&T Transfer Car
The Nevada State Railroad Museum recently completed the restoration of Virginia & Truckee Transfer Car 1.
railfan.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
The Nevada State Railroad Museum recently completed the restoration of Virginia & Truckee Transfer Car 1 railfan.com/nevada-state...
On Friday, Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said his merger with
Norfolk Southern was about "completing Abraham Lincoln’s vision" for a true transcontinental railroad. But while Vena spoke in aspirational terms, getting the deal done won’t be easy. Check out my full report for Railfan & Railroad.
Norfolk Southern was about "completing Abraham Lincoln’s vision" for a true transcontinental railroad. But while Vena spoke in aspirational terms, getting the deal done won’t be easy. Check out my full report for Railfan & Railroad.
Six months after first proposing the historic combination, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern officially submitted their application to create the first single transcontinental railway on Friday railfan.com/up-ns-submit...
UP, NS Submit Application for Transcontinental Merger
In its nearly 7,000-page application, UP and NS said their merger would take 2 million trucks off the road, especially in the Midwest.
railfan.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM
On Friday, Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said his merger with
Norfolk Southern was about "completing Abraham Lincoln’s vision" for a true transcontinental railroad. But while Vena spoke in aspirational terms, getting the deal done won’t be easy. Check out my full report for Railfan & Railroad.
Norfolk Southern was about "completing Abraham Lincoln’s vision" for a true transcontinental railroad. But while Vena spoke in aspirational terms, getting the deal done won’t be easy. Check out my full report for Railfan & Railroad.
Reposted by Justin Franz
The non-profit that owns and maintains a historic Great Northern Railway depot in Whitefish, Mont., which is still used today by BNSF Railway and Amtrak, says the structure will soon need a new roof. railfan.com/historic-gre...
Historic Great Northern Depot Needs New Roof
The Stumptown Historical Society is raising money to put a new roof on the Great Northern depot in Whitefish, Mont.
railfan.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:41 PM
The non-profit that owns and maintains a historic Great Northern Railway depot in Whitefish, Mont., which is still used today by BNSF Railway and Amtrak, says the structure will soon need a new roof. railfan.com/historic-gre...
Rainy weather couldn't dampen the mood in Fernie, B.C., on Sunday night as the CPKC Holiday Train arrived in town with headliner Barenaked Ladies. Here are a few favorite shots from the evening. As a bonus, my son Franklin got to see his second holiday "toot toot" of the season.
December 16, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Rainy weather couldn't dampen the mood in Fernie, B.C., on Sunday night as the CPKC Holiday Train arrived in town with headliner Barenaked Ladies. Here are a few favorite shots from the evening. As a bonus, my son Franklin got to see his second holiday "toot toot" of the season.
‘It took us by surprise’: Rapidly rising floodwaters, a 1 a.m. wakeup and washed out bridges in Libby montanafreepress.org/2025/12/15/h...
This week’s rain may have caused “tens of millions of dollars” of damage, and they’re not out of the woods yet. Latest for @montanafreepress.org
This week’s rain may have caused “tens of millions of dollars” of damage, and they’re not out of the woods yet. Latest for @montanafreepress.org
Lincoln County has ‘tens of millions’ of dollars in damage from historic flooding
While weather forecasters predicted rain and warned of possible flooding, local officials said they were still caught off guard by how extensive the flooding was, washing out roads, inundating neighbo...
montanafreepress.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:47 AM
‘It took us by surprise’: Rapidly rising floodwaters, a 1 a.m. wakeup and washed out bridges in Libby montanafreepress.org/2025/12/15/h...
This week’s rain may have caused “tens of millions of dollars” of damage, and they’re not out of the woods yet. Latest for @montanafreepress.org
This week’s rain may have caused “tens of millions of dollars” of damage, and they’re not out of the woods yet. Latest for @montanafreepress.org
Reposted by Justin Franz
Officials estimate that this week’s rain and snowmelt may have caused “tens of millions of dollars” of damage, and they’re not out of the woods yet.
Lincoln County has ‘tens of millions’ of dollars in damage from historic flooding
While weather forecasters predicted rain and warned of possible flooding, local officials said they were still caught off guard by how extensive the flooding was, washing out roads, inundating neighbo...
montanafreepress.org
December 15, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Officials estimate that this week’s rain and snowmelt may have caused “tens of millions of dollars” of damage, and they’re not out of the woods yet.
Reposted by Justin Franz
I guess it's fitting that it's a reimagined, worse version of someone else's artwork
December 12, 2025 at 4:00 AM
I guess it's fitting that it's a reimagined, worse version of someone else's artwork
A really tough situation for a historic railroad out in Washington State
Washington’s Yakima Valley Trolleys, the nonprofit responsible for running the city-owned interurban railroad that was once a subsidiary of Union Pacific, will start the new year without an operating agreement, putting the operation’s future in limbo. railfan.com/future-uncer...
Future Uncertain for Yakima Trolley
Washington’s Yakima Valley Trolleys will start the new year without an operating agreement, putting the operation’s future in limbo.
railfan.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:03 PM
A really tough situation for a historic railroad out in Washington State
Reposted by Justin Franz
The oldest surviving steam locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley — the master locomotive builder behind famous engines like the Flying Scotsman — is expected to return to service in 2026. railfan.com/sir-nigel-gr...
Sir Nigel Gresley’s Oldest Locomotive to Return to Steam
The oldest surviving steam locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley — the master locomotive builder behind famous engines like the Flying Scotsman — is expected to return to service in 2026.
railfan.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The oldest surviving steam locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley — the master locomotive builder behind famous engines like the Flying Scotsman — is expected to return to service in 2026. railfan.com/sir-nigel-gr...
Some exciting things happening at one of my favorite museums back home in Maine.
After building 3.5 miles of track on the original right-of-way of one of Maine’s famed 2-foot gauge railroads, the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum is now planning to expand southward. railfan.com/wiscasset-wa...
December 4, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Some exciting things happening at one of my favorite museums back home in Maine.
With its centennial just a few years away, the owners of Whitefish's historic train depot are asking the community for help to "Save Our Station." flatheadbeacon.com/2025/11/30/w... Latest for Flathead Beacon.
With Centennial Approaching, Whitefish Museum Looks to ‘Save Our Station’ - Flathead Beacon
For years, the Stumptown Historical Society has depended on the donation box and the generosity of visitors to do most of the nonprofit’s fundraising. Jill Evans, the executive director of the Whitefi...
flatheadbeacon.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
With its centennial just a few years away, the owners of Whitefish's historic train depot are asking the community for help to "Save Our Station." flatheadbeacon.com/2025/11/30/w... Latest for Flathead Beacon.
BNSF Railway is urging federal regulators to examine the “harms” caused by the 1996 merger of Union Pacific and Southern Pacific — before they approve a new merger between UP and Norfolk Southern railfan.com/bnsf-calls-o... Latest for @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social
BNSF Calls on STB to Review ‘Harm’ Caused by UP-SP Merger
BNSF Railway is urging federal regulators to examine the "harms” caused by the 1996 merger of Union Pacific and Southern Pacific.
railfan.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:44 PM
BNSF Railway is urging federal regulators to examine the “harms” caused by the 1996 merger of Union Pacific and Southern Pacific — before they approve a new merger between UP and Norfolk Southern railfan.com/bnsf-calls-o... Latest for @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social
Reposted by Justin Franz
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America, the non-profit restoring two Union Pacific steam locomotives at the former Rock Island shop in Silvis, Ill., has broken ground on a new roundhouse and turntable. railfan.com/rrhma-breaks...
RRHMA Breaks Ground on New Roundhouse
The six-stall roundhouse is on the footprint of the Rock Island’s original facility
railfan.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America, the non-profit restoring two Union Pacific steam locomotives at the former Rock Island shop in Silvis, Ill., has broken ground on a new roundhouse and turntable. railfan.com/rrhma-breaks...
Honestly, the OP has undersold the epicness of this video.
HOW THE FUCK DOES THIS ONLY HAVE 55 THOUSAND VIEWS. FEAST YOUR EYES ON PEAK RAILROADING
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3zh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3zh...
IRMs CB&Q 9911A overtakes a stack train going to Galesburg
YouTube video by jamesk97
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Honestly, the OP has undersold the epicness of this video.
Cool stuff happening in Utah...
The Heber Valley Railroad in Utah has added two stainless steel domes to its growing fleet of passenger cars railfan.com/heber-valley...
Heber Valley Adds Domes to Growing Passenger Car Fleet
The Heber Valley Railroad in Utah has added two stainless steel dome cars to its growing fleet of passenger cars.
railfan.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Cool stuff happening in Utah...
Reposted by Justin Franz
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi’s assassination
Audio recordings, intercepted phone calls and other intelligence link Mohammed bin Salman to killing that Saudis say was conducted by rogue elements.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
Big news this morning from Amtrak...
More than 34 million passengers climbed aboard Amtrak trains during Fiscal Year 2025, the railroad announced on November 18, a new record for “America’s Railroad” and a 5.1 percent increase over the previous year railfan.com/amtrak-break...
Amtrak Breaks Ridership, Revenue Records
More than 34 million passengers climbed aboard Amtrak trains during Fiscal Year 2025, the railroad announced on November 18.
railfan.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Big news this morning from Amtrak...
Since 2020, Class I railroads have acquired more than 3,000 miles of trackage from short line and regional carriers—some of which they previously owned www.railwayage.com/freight/shor... My latest for Railway Age Magazine.
From Class I to Short Line and Back
Since 2020, Class I railroads have acquired more than 3,000 miles of trackage from short line and regional carrier—some of which they previously owned.
www.railwayage.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Since 2020, Class I railroads have acquired more than 3,000 miles of trackage from short line and regional carriers—some of which they previously owned www.railwayage.com/freight/shor... My latest for Railway Age Magazine.
Reposted by Justin Franz
Shareholders of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern overwhelmingly approved a plan to merge the two Class I railroads during a special meeting held on November 14. railfan.com/shareholders...
Shareholders Approve UP-NS Merger Deal
Shareholders of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern overwhelmingly approved a plan to merge the two Class I railroads during a special meeting held on November 14.
railfan.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Shareholders of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern overwhelmingly approved a plan to merge the two Class I railroads during a special meeting held on November 14. railfan.com/shareholders...
This summer, I got to know a fascinating railroad: Rocky Mountaineer. Offering luxury rail tours in the U.S. and Canada, it's an impressive operation with more than 1,000 employees, 2,000 route miles, and 2.4 million happy passengers.
November 14, 2025 at 8:17 PM
This summer, I got to know a fascinating railroad: Rocky Mountaineer. Offering luxury rail tours in the U.S. and Canada, it's an impressive operation with more than 1,000 employees, 2,000 route miles, and 2.4 million happy passengers.
Reposted by Justin Franz
After a successful service expansion last year, Amtrak’s Winter Park Express is back for another big season, beginning December 19 railfan.com/winter-park-...
‘Winter Park Express’ Returns for 2025-2026 Season
After a successful service expansion last year, Amtrak’s Winter Park Express is back for another big season, beginning on December 19.
railfan.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:28 PM
After a successful service expansion last year, Amtrak’s Winter Park Express is back for another big season, beginning December 19 railfan.com/winter-park-...
Reposted by Justin Franz
@josephpolitano.bsky.social . Who needs the Fed or the BLS when you have DoorDash.
November 12, 2025 at 2:25 AM
@josephpolitano.bsky.social . Who needs the Fed or the BLS when you have DoorDash.
The Flathead has long been a popular destination for Albertans. However, credit card spending by Canadians in Kalispell has decreased by 39% due to ongoing tensions between the two countries. Latest for @montanafreepress.org montanafreepress.org/2025/11/10/k...
As Canadians visit and spend less, Kalispell looks to lure them back
As border crossings from Canada to Montana fell 26%, businesses in the Flathead Valley are aiming to ease political tensions.
montanafreepress.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
The Flathead has long been a popular destination for Albertans. However, credit card spending by Canadians in Kalispell has decreased by 39% due to ongoing tensions between the two countries. Latest for @montanafreepress.org montanafreepress.org/2025/11/10/k...
Reposted by Justin Franz
A short line in British Columbia that depends on wood products is suffering due to the ongoing trade war between the United States and Canada. Now, it’s leading to the cancellation of popular holiday excursions railfan.com/tariffs-hit-...
Tariffs Hit B.C. Short Line
The Nelson & Fort Sheppard Railway runs on former Great Northern trackage between Frutvale and Columbia Gardens, B.C.
railfan.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM
A short line in British Columbia that depends on wood products is suffering due to the ongoing trade war between the United States and Canada. Now, it’s leading to the cancellation of popular holiday excursions railfan.com/tariffs-hit-...