American-Rails.com Blog
Here is your one-stop shop for learning about all of the newest additions or changes happening at American-Rails.com. Listed below is every page that is either new or which was updated within the last few days. Simply click on the link "Continue Reading..." under each heading to visit the page in question. With new articles added on a regular basis be sure and either check back here often or subscribe to the website's RSS feed to keep up with the latest.
Apr 26, 2024
"Cincinnati Limited" (Train): New York - Columbus - Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Limited was once a top PRR train, and arguably the best between New York and Cincinnati. Established in the 1920s it survived until Amtrak.
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Apr 26, 2024
Clinchfield Railroad (Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio)
A brief history of coal-hauler, the Clinchfield Railroad; a classic system connecting Kentucky with South Carolina. Today, its route is still used by CSX.
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Apr 24, 2024
SP&S 4-8-4 #700 Steam Locomotive
Spokane, Portland & Seattle #700 is a 4-8-4 locomotive built during the 1930s. The Northern was later restored in the 1980s and now calls Portland home.
Apr 23, 2024
Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad, A Classic WV Short Line
The Buffalo Creek & Gauley Railroad was a classic shortline in the West Virginia hills that is fondly remembered by railfans.
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Apr 21, 2024
Alco's "C628": Its Best-Selling Six-Axle 'Century'
The burly Alco C628 was briefly successful before proving far too heavy. Find out where the few surivors are now.
Continue reading "Alco's "C628": Its Best-Selling Six-Axle 'Century'"
Apr 20, 2024
Columbus and Greenville Railway
The Columbus & Greenville Railway is a line that dates back to the late 19th century. Today, part of the route remains in regular service as a shortline.
Apr 19, 2024
Western Pacific Railroad: "The Feather River Route"
The Western Pacific was a small classic railroad linking Salt Lake City with Oakland. In 1982 it became part of Union Pacific.
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Apr 19, 2024
EMD's "GP35", The Final Geep Sporting The 567
The GP35 followed the GP30 in 1963. Another second-generation model that sported a new prime mover and other components it sold incredibly well.
Continue reading "EMD's "GP35", The Final Geep Sporting The 567"
Apr 18, 2024
Alco's "C415": A Unique, Centercab Locomotive
Learn about why the Alco C-415 was an unsuccessful attempt by the builder to remain relevant in the locomotive market.
Continue reading "Alco's "C415": A Unique, Centercab Locomotive"
Apr 18, 2024
Pennsylvania Railroad, "The Standard Railroad Of The World"
The Pennsylvania Railroad regarded itself as the "Standard Railroad Of The World" and for several decades was the most powerful in the industry.
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Apr 17, 2024
Mohawk and Hudson Railroad: New York's First Chartered
The Mohawk and Hudson was New York State's first chartered railroad, established in April, 1826. It became part of the NYC and is still in operation today.
Continue reading "Mohawk and Hudson Railroad: New York's First Chartered"
Apr 13, 2024
"The Rebel" (Train): The South's First Streamliner (1935)
The Rebel was a GM&O streamliner passenger train that dated to 1935 as an articulated trainset. The train ended service to the south in the late 1950s.
Continue reading ""The Rebel" (Train): The South's First Streamliner (1935)"
Apr 12, 2024
4-4-0 "American" Locomotives: The Common 19th Century Engine
Learn about the history of the 4-4-0 American type and how it could be found in use all across the country.
Continue reading "4-4-0 "American" Locomotives: The Common 19th Century Engine"
Apr 11, 2024
Tehachapi Loop: SP's Engineering Marvel Of The Tehachapi's
The Tehachapi Loop was an engineering wonder completed in 1876. Today, it is owned by UP with BNSF using the line under trackage rights.
Continue reading "Tehachapi Loop: SP's Engineering Marvel Of The Tehachapi's"
Apr 11, 2024
EMD's "DD35" and "DD35A": A 5,000 HP Experimental Locomotive
The DD35/A was an experimental diesel model based from the GP35, designed by Electro-Motive for Union Pacific in the 1960s. They remained in use until 1981.
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Apr 10, 2024
Observation Cars (Trains): First Introduced In 1888
Observation cars were a product of the early 20th century during the heavyweight era. They became instantly popular, particularly in the streamlined era.
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Apr 10, 2024
Mallet Locomotives: Brought To America In 1904
The Mallet was a unique steam locomotive design developed by Anatole Mallet that utilized two boilers.
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Apr 10, 2024
Union Pacific 4-8-4 #844: The Railroad's Famous Northern
Union Pacific 844 is one of the most famous steam locomotives still operable. It was the last steam locomotive UP purchased from Alco in 1944.
Continue reading "Union Pacific 4-8-4 #844: The Railroad's Famous Northern"
Apr 10, 2024
Southern Pacific 4-8-4 #4449: A Long And Storied Career
Southern Pacific #4449 is a 4-8-4 classified as its Golden States or GS Class. Today, the locomotive is restored and wears the railroad's Daylight livery.
Continue reading "Southern Pacific 4-8-4 #4449: A Long And Storied Career"
Apr 09, 2024
Florida Scenic Train Rides (2024): A Complete Guide
A Florida train rides guide, including all known railroad museums to visit within the state. Learn more about them here.
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Apr 06, 2024
"Golden State" (Train): An SP - Rock Island Streamliner
The Golden State was launched in 1902 by the Rock Island and Southern Pacific between Los Angeles and Chicago. It was canceled in the 1960s.
Continue reading ""Golden State" (Train): An SP - Rock Island Streamliner"
Apr 04, 2024
"Cab Forward" Steam Locomotives: SP's Unique Design
The Cab Forwards were unique, odd, and extremely powerful steam locomotives that enabled crews to safely operate through the Sierras.
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Apr 04, 2024
Articulated Steam Locomotives, Introduced In 1904
The articulated locomotive was first used on the Baltimore & Ohio and is defined as having its lead set of drivers swivel to more easily negotiate curves.
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Apr 02, 2024
C&O 2-8-2 "Mikado" Steam Locomotives (Class K)
Chesapeake & Ohio's fleet of Class K 2-8-2's first entered service in 1911 and remained in use until the 1950s.
Continue reading "C&O 2-8-2 "Mikado" Steam Locomotives (Class K)"
Apr 02, 2024
The "Twilight Limited" (Train): Chicago - Kalamazoo - Detroit
The Twilight Limited was a notable New York Central train serving its busy Detroit-Chicago corridor. Established in the 1920s its name was lost in 1967.
Continue reading "The "Twilight Limited" (Train): Chicago - Kalamazoo - Detroit"
Apr 02, 2024
Rutland 's 4-8-2 "Mountain" Locomotives (Class L-1)
The darlings of Rutland's steam fleet were a quartet of new 4-8-2 Mountains it received in 1946 from Alco. Sadly, they survived less than 10 years.
Continue reading "Rutland 's 4-8-2 "Mountain" Locomotives (Class L-1)"
Apr 02, 2024
"Havana Special" (Train): Serving Key West Until 1935
The Havana Special once carried passengers all of the way to Key West. After 1935 it remained on the FEC timetable as a truncated route until 1962.
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Mar 30, 2024
The "Idahoan" (Train): UP's Omaha-Portland Service
The Idahoan was a regional, secondary Union Pacific train running between Cheyenne and Portland. Inaugurated in the late 1940s it was canceled a few years.
Continue reading "The "Idahoan" (Train): UP's Omaha-Portland Service"
Mar 29, 2024
SP's "San Joaquin Daylight" (Train): Sacramento-Los Angeles
Southern Pacific's San Joaquin Daylight operated the same routing as the original, between San Francisco and Oakland, debuting in 1941.
Continue reading "SP's "San Joaquin Daylight" (Train): Sacramento-Los Angeles"
Mar 27, 2024
The "Georgian" (Train): L&N's Chicago-Atlanta Service
The Georgian helped inaugurate L&N's entrance into the streamliner era in 1946 running between Chicago and Atlanta.
Continue reading "The "Georgian" (Train): L&N's Chicago-Atlanta Service"
Mar 27, 2024
Gas Turbine Locomotives (Union Pacific), GTELs
Union Pacific's gas turbine locomotives, also known as the GTELs, followed its steam turbine design.
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Mar 27, 2024
Baldwin "RF16" Locomotives, The Classic "Shark" Model
The RF16, the best known model to where the "Sharknose" carbody, was the last, and most successful, cab design Baldwin produced.
Continue reading "Baldwin "RF16" Locomotives, The Classic "Shark" Model"
Mar 26, 2024
EMD "F3" Locomotives, Following The FT's Success
The F3 followed the FT and was just as successful. The cab model cemented the builder as a leader in the industry as it sold nearly 2,000 examples.
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Mar 26, 2024
EMD's "SDP40F": Amtrak's First Locomotive Model
The SDP40F was essentially an SD40-2 equipped for passenger service and used only by Amtrak. The problematic units were later sold to the Santa Fe.
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Mar 26, 2024
B&O Steam Locomotive Roster (Post 1900)
Presented here is the Baltimore & Ohio's complete steam locomotive roster after 1900.
Mar 26, 2024
Rock Island Railroad: "Route Of The Rockets!" (1852-1980)
The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific was a fabled Midwestern granger that struggled after the 1960's. A botched merger and strike led to its liquidation in 1980.
Continue reading "Rock Island Railroad: "Route Of The Rockets!" (1852-1980)"
Mar 23, 2024
"Texas Eagle" (Train): MoPac's Streamliner To The Lone Star State
The Texas Eagle was the MoPac's primary service between St. Louis and the Southwest with an odd routing that saw it dispersed once in Texas. The name carries on under Amtrak.
Continue reading ""Texas Eagle" (Train): MoPac's Streamliner To The Lone Star State"
Mar 23, 2024
Alco "T6" Locomotives, A Specialized Transfer Switcher
The T6, the specialized transfer model that was far less successful than had been hoped.
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Mar 22, 2024
Erie Railroad, "Serving The Heart Of Industrial America"
The Erie Railroad's earliest history dates back to the 1830s and later in the 19th century as one of the most powerful lines.
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Mar 22, 2024
EMD "GM6C" Electric Locomotive (#1975)
EMD's GM6C was a six-axle, 6,000 horsepower testbed electric built in conjunction with Sweden's ASEA in 1975. Only the demonstrator was ever built.
Mar 22, 2024
Minneapolis and St Louis Railway: "The Peoria Gateway"
The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway, known as the "Peoria Gateway," served the Twin Cities and upper Midwest. It was purchased by the C&NW in 1960.
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Mar 22, 2024
Interstate Railroad, Western Virginia Coal-Hauler (1896-1985)
The Interstate Railroad as a built on coal, established in 1896 to serve mines in extreme western Virginia.
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Mar 20, 2024
2-10-4 "Texas" Type Locomotives, A 1919 Development
A late design,the powerful 2-10-4 Texas first saw use on the Texas & Pacific in 1925. Several roads used the 2-10-4 in freight service until the 1950's.
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Mar 19, 2024
Alco "S3" Locomotives: Third In The Series
The S3 found little success in comparison to its previous counterpart although more than 200 were utlimately sold.
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Mar 19, 2024
The "Sierra 49er Express": Transcisco Tours' Short-Lived "Fun Train"
The Transcisco Tours' "Sierra 49er Express" was a short-lived dinner train running between San Jose, California and Reno, Nevada between 1990-1991.
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Mar 18, 2024
Railroads In The 20th Century (1900s), The "Golden Age"
Railroads in the 20th century continued to build new track until roughly 1920 and the first decade of the 20th century saw new government oversight.
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Mar 18, 2024
Roll Into Adventure: "Day Out With Thomas" In PA!
In Pennsylvania, there is currently one location hosting official "Day Out With Thomas" train rides, the Strasburg Railroad. Learn more about these events here.
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Mar 18, 2024
Steam Locomotive Tenders: For Fuel and Water Storage
The tender was a storage device carried behind a steam locomotive which provided for extra fuel and water, extending its range between stops.
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Mar 17, 2024
Thrilling Tracks Await: Day Out With Thomas In Illinois!
Thomas the Tank Engine will make an appearance at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union. Learn more about these events here.
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SteamLocomotive.com
Wes Barris's SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource on the study of steam locomotives.
It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at this website.
It is quite staggering and a must visit!