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.
For the December issue of @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social, did a deep dive into its past, present, and exciting future. I hope you'll check it out. And get a preview of the piece over at R&R's website: railfan.com/rocky-mounta...
November 14, 2025 at 8:17 PM
For the December issue of @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social, did a deep dive into its past, present, and exciting future. I hope you'll check it out. And get a preview of the piece over at R&R's website: railfan.com/rocky-mounta...
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.
One of my favorite times trackside last year was sunrise at Metra's Highlands station on its famed "Racetrack." For @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social's annual Traction & Transit issue, I put together an essay about it. Check it out in the new issue shop.whiteriverproductions.com/products/rfr...
August 21, 2025 at 5:59 PM
One of my favorite times trackside last year was sunrise at Metra's Highlands station on its famed "Racetrack." For @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social's annual Traction & Transit issue, I put together an essay about it. Check it out in the new issue shop.whiteriverproductions.com/products/rfr...
I've been kind of terrible at sharing my photography work in recent months — work work and parenting will do that, I suppose. So here are a few favorites from the past few months.
August 19, 2025 at 2:29 AM
I've been kind of terrible at sharing my photography work in recent months — work work and parenting will do that, I suppose. So here are a few favorites from the past few months.
A local BNSF Railway freight train headed north on a foggy morning earlier this month. Check out more from this recent chase (and some other stuff I'm working on) over at my Substack. justinfranz.substack.com/p/foggy-morn... And if you like what you see, consider subscribing!
January 28, 2025 at 6:39 PM
A local BNSF Railway freight train headed north on a foggy morning earlier this month. Check out more from this recent chase (and some other stuff I'm working on) over at my Substack. justinfranz.substack.com/p/foggy-morn... And if you like what you see, consider subscribing!
It's that time of year again, the time for "best of" stories and galleries to fill the aimless final days of the year. Here's a look at some of my favorite railroad photos from the last 12 months. Be sure to check out the entire set on my Substack... justinfranz.substack.com/p/2024-a-yea...
December 30, 2024 at 8:47 PM
It's that time of year again, the time for "best of" stories and galleries to fill the aimless final days of the year. Here's a look at some of my favorite railroad photos from the last 12 months. Be sure to check out the entire set on my Substack... justinfranz.substack.com/p/2024-a-yea...
Last week my wife had a conference in Seattle so my son and I tagged along to spend a few days riding trains around the city. Here are a few favorites I got along the way (or at least what I could get while carting a 9-month-old around).
December 12, 2024 at 10:08 PM
Last week my wife had a conference in Seattle so my son and I tagged along to spend a few days riding trains around the city. Here are a few favorites I got along the way (or at least what I could get while carting a 9-month-old around).
Years after most railroads retired steam locomotives, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy used them to haul excursions. Sixty years later, the Center for Railroad Photography & Art has a new book with rarely seen images of these runs by photojournalist John Gruber railphoto-art.org/burlington-b...
November 27, 2024 at 4:11 PM
Years after most railroads retired steam locomotives, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy used them to haul excursions. Sixty years later, the Center for Railroad Photography & Art has a new book with rarely seen images of these runs by photojournalist John Gruber railphoto-art.org/burlington-b...