Welcome to Trackside, The Newsletter, a monthly piece covering the railroad industry. I had thought long and hard about creating a newsletter to go along with the website since American Rails first began but I could never decide what exactly to include in it. After much consideration, though, I finally decided that perhaps the best approach was to fill the newsletter with, well, news! More specifically, however, current news and events which will be broken down into categories keeping you up-to-date on the latest on-goings around the country.

Now in every issue Trackside features a "Photo of the Month" and just as a general note these photos used are the property of individual photographers and as such should not be redistributed or used without their permission. In any event, I hope you like the new layout!

This month's photo taken by Drew Jacksich depicts the final California Zephyr, which has just stopped at Oroville, California on March 22, 1970. After this time the train was operated only on the Rio Grande's section of the original route and renamed the Rio Grande Zephyr until Amtrak took over the train in 1983.

St. Maries River Railroad buyer eyes expansion

Nation's Freight Railroads Now Average 480 Ton-Miles-Per-Gallon

Railroad CEO says line's business is growing in North Iowa

UP tower in Illinois to close in June

Ohio rail commission gives short line green light to repair tunnel, bridges

Rebirth of the railroad

State approves $15M for C&G rail project

Gas boom sparking rail revival

Rail traffic: "Solid signs of recovery"

Amtrak making a comeback in Texas

Amtrak anticipates record ridership in FY2010

U.S. DOT chief reaffirms passenger rail support

Traveling by train can be ‘enjoyable’

Train travel a delight in 50s, 60s

A Step back in time: Railroad helped Vanderbilt flourish in early 1880s

Get on the right track for an unique bed and breakfast experience

Train car returns to NV after 100 years

PRR Museum restoration is nearing completion

On track for history

A Civil War-era B & O veteran is back

On track for history

Brick drive lays foundation for Livingston, MI depot's future

New Bern, NC Union Station at 100 shows signs of life

Historic Johnson City, TN railroad depot to become destination downtown

Philly train station making tracks

Work progressing on restoration of old Lavonia, SC train depot

Historic Pennsylvania Railroad Depot: Jewel or junk?

Train depot is longtime Worthington landmark

Former Railroad station will be end point for bike trail

Mapping out the depot's future

Northfield, MN Depot restoration moves into second stage

Volunteers help keep Noblesville train museum vibrant

Truckee railroad museum finalizes plans, set to open in May

Tennessee train museum right on track

Club on track to build Granby, CO railroad museum

The Millbrae Railroad Station: All Aboard!

Railroad to offer more excursions

Railmark acquires Florida tourist-train operation

Newly restored Lisbon train station begins new life as anchor for Greenway bike trail

As Trackside moves forward I will look to include more topics and information within it. In any event, if you have any opinions, ideas, and/or general comments/suggestions for the newsletter please feel free to pass them my way. As with American-Rails.com I am always looking for ways to improve the newsletter to better benefit you, the reader.

Best regards,

Adam Burns