My Best of Railfanning 2025 (4K)

As usual, it’s time for My Best of Railfanning. With 2025 now behind us, it’s time to look back at the best catches from my 9th year of railfanning—and easily my favorite year yet. This year, I was fortunate to capture a wide variety of mainline and tourist shortline steam action. So grab some popcorn and join me as we look back at some of my best catches from 2025. I kicked off the year in February with the first-ever Iron Horse Rambles, led by Reading & Northern #2102 In March, after a last-minute change of plans, I headed to the Strasburg Railroad to film 89 leading the daily trains. April marked the Return of Steam in the Valley, with Nickel Plate Road 765 returning to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. In May, I saw 765 stretch its legs at track speed on the Wheeling & Lake Erie mainline. Over Memorial Day Weekend, I visited my home-state steam engine, 18, at the Arcade & Attica Railroad. In June, I caught 765 once again, this time leading the Tri-State Steam Scenic. I also made another trip to Strasburg to see Thomas, as well as 90 in its classic 1990s paint scheme. The following day, I chased 2102 on the Tunkhannock Iron Horse Rambles. July took me back out west to Denver, where I filmed Georgetown Loop 40, Union Pacific transcon traffic, and—finally—Union Pacific Big Boy #4014 leading the Denver Express. In August, I traveled to Wisconsin to see Soo Line #1003 for the first time in four years, leading the Wisconsin Chapter NRHS 75th Anniversary Special. September was quiet, but October more than made up for it. I chased Milwaukee Road #261 across the Midwest, caught No. 18 again closer to home, filmed NYS&W #142 following its return from its 1,472-day rebuild, and witnessed Norfolk & Western #611 return to the Virginia Scenic Railway. In November, I headed back to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum to film Southern #4501 on a Summerville Steam Special. The following day, I captured #630 and #4501 on what is, for now, the final Summerville Steam doubleheader. To close out the year, I traveled to Michigan to see Pere Marquette 1225 leading the North Pole Express for the first time since 2023. So grab some popcorn and enjoy—2025 was an incredible year. I hope you all enjoy my Best of 2025! If all goes well, I am hoping to be departing in just a few hours for my first adventure of 2025. Which will be chasing a day of Winter Frostburg Flyer excursions with Western Maryland #1309 I regret not seeing the engine last, and am hoping to sneak down there at least twice more. #2102 is in the plans for February, as is the East Broad Top Railroad. Right now, we await schedules. But if you liked this video, please give it a like and stay tuned for more great steam adventures for my 10th year! #south #train #trainspotting #steamtrain #railfan #midwest #west #pennsylvania #railroad #summer #winter #spring #fall #mainline #unionpacific #bigboy #csx #norfolksouthern #amtrak #thomasthetankengine