A steam train traveling on a trestle bridge over a river with mountains in the background and stormy clouds in the sky.

The End of Steam, Captured on Film.

Frank Barry’s historic railroad photography highlights the last working steam locomotives in North America. His images and stories bring back to life the people who built them, rode them, and ran them, documenting the final years of an extraordinary era. His new book, Chasing Steam in Mexico (featured in The New York Times), is now available.

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A young Frank Barry with dark hair standing outdoors in a field with mountains in the background, smiling at the camera, in black and white.

About the Photographer

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Frank Barry traveled across North America, Central America, and Europe with his Rolleicord camera, documenting the railroads he encountered along the way. What began as a personal passion became an extensive collection of historic photographs, many of which have appeared in books, magazines, and exhibitions. He is pictured here in Mexico at about 22, circa 1959.

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A black-and-white photograph of a steam locomotive pulling snow plow equipment, working to clear snow.
Children getting hot water from a large steam locomotive with the number 1414 in outdoor setting.
Steam trains on railway tracks with steam billowing from the chimneys, surrounded by trees.
Steam trains on railway tracks with steam billowing from the chimneys, surrounded by trees.
Black and white photograph of an old steam train on tracks with rocky landscape and hills in the background.
A man in work clothes and a hat oiling the wheel of a large steam locomotive.
Three men standing outdoors in front of a truck, with two wearing hats and one with a leather jacket, in black and white.
Three men standing outdoors in front of a truck, with two wearing hats and one with a leather jacket, in black and white.
Black and white photograph of a vintage steam locomotive train, with a large star emblem on the front, moving on railroad tracks during daytime.

Explore the Books

Black and white photograph of a vintage steam train with several men standing around and on the train.
Cover of a book titled 'The Last Winter'.
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Adventures in Chasing & Capturing Steam

Three black-and-white vintage photographs of trains and related scenes, with captions about travels in New Mexico and Guatemala.

There's more to every photograph than what you see. Follow Frank's stories on Substack for firsthand accounts, historical photographs, and memories from his travels.

Read Frank's Stories