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.
May 18, 2013
The Ontario Northland Railway
The Ontario Northland Railway is a government owned and operated system dating to 1902 that connects Moosonee and North Bay. It hosted pasenger trains until 2012.
May 16, 2013
The Northern Alberta Railways
The Northern Alberta Railways was a consolidated system, once jointly owned by CN and CP, that served its home territory. It disappeared into CN in 1981.
May 15, 2013
The Pacific Great Eastern Railway
The Pacific Great Eastern Railway, which became the British Columbia Railway after 1972, was the third largest system in Canada. CN acquired the property in 2004.
May 14, 2013
General Motors Diesel
General Motors Diesel, Ltd. became EMD's Canadian division formed in 1949 with a plant in London, Ontario. It built locomotives until 2012 when new ownership closed the facility.
May 13, 2013
The Canadian Locomotive Company
The Canadian Locomotive Company, or CLC, was a long-time manufacturer dating back to the 19th century. It is best remember as an arm of Fairbanks Morse.
May 11, 2013
The HR616, "Draper Taper" Design
The Draper Taper was exclusively seen in Canada, used only by the Canadian National where it first saw service on Bombardier's HR616.
May 10, 2013
The Western Maryland's Connellsville Extension
The Western Maryland's Connellsville Extension was the unsuccessful dream of then-owner George Gould's attempt at creating the first, true transcontinental railroad during the early 1900s.
Continue reading "The Western Maryland's Connellsville Extension"
May 10, 2013
The Montreal Locomotive Works
The Montreal Locomotive Works, or MLW, was a Canadian manufacturer of locomotives that was acquired by the American Locomotive Company. It ceased production in 1985.
May 08, 2013
The Morrison-Knudsen MK5000C
The MK5000C was a Morrison-Knudsen/MK Rail road-switcher locomotive developed in 1994. When MK succumbed to bankruptcy soon after the project ended with six units produced.
May 08, 2013
A History Of Morrison-Knudsen Corporation
The Morrison-Knudsen Corporation for many years was in the construction and engineering business only entering the railroad industry in the 1970s. It was dissolved in 2000.
Continue reading "A History Of Morrison-Knudsen Corporation"
May 07, 2013
Alco's Blunt Truck
The Blunt truck was uniquely Alco design, invented by a company engineer and used on its early S series switches. It was discontinued with the introduction of the S3.
May 06, 2013
The AAR Type B Truck
The AAR Type B was a standard truck designed used on several early diesel locomotive models except those built by EMD. They are most closely associated with Alco products.
May 05, 2013
The Blomberg Truck
The Blomberg Truck was created by noted engineer Martin Blomberg during the 1930s. It was so well engineered it remained in production until the 1980s.
May 05, 2013
EMD's Flexicoil Truck
The Flexicoil Truck was a brand of locomotive suspension designed by EMD for use on its switchers and road-switchers. It first appeared on the SD7 and remained in production until the 1980s.
May 03, 2013
The Gandy Dancer
The gandy dancer was a slang term used to describe section gangs, railroad men who performed the physical task of the tracks maintained.
May 02, 2013
NYC's M-497 Black Beetle Turbojet Train
The M-497, otherwise known as the Black Beetle, was an experimental turbojet train tested by the New York Central in 1966. It was scrapped in 1984.
May 02, 2013
The Mars Light
The Mars Light was a safety device developed during the 1930s by Jerry Kennelly that oscillated to warn bystanders.
May 01, 2013
Alco's Black Maria, The DL-203-1/2
The Black Maria was a nickname for Alco's experimental DL-203-1/2 diesel locomotive of the 1940s, which led to the development of the FA and PA models.
May 01, 2013
Alco's Model 251 Diesel Engine
Alco's model 251 prime mover was a diesel engine developed to replace the troublesome 244. It remained in production until the builder closed its doors in the 1960s.
Apr 30, 2013
The Electro-Motive 710 Engine
The EMD model 710 prime mover is the builder's lastest diesel engine powering its locomotives. It has been in production since 1984.
Apr 28, 2013
Train Rides By State
Learn more about train rides here, broken down by state from the Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania to the Grand Canyon Railway in Arizona.
Apr 23, 2013
Tunnel Motors, The SD45T-2 And SD40T-2
Tunnel motors is a term describing the SD45T-2 and later SD40T-2, which were successful variants built in the 1970s for Southern Pacific and Rio Grande in mountainous operations.
Apr 22, 2013
Road-Switchers
Road-switchers are today's form of all-purpose diesels able function as main line power as well as act as switchers. They were first created by Alco in the early 1940s.
Apr 21, 2013
Switchers
Switchers are a type of locomotive that have been around since the steam era designed for yard, transfer, and light freight work.
Apr 15, 2013
The Santa Fe's Classic Warbonnet Livery
One of the most legendary paint schemes to grace a locomotive was the Santa Fe's Warbonnet livery, first applied to the Super Chief in 1937.
Apr 14, 2013
The Cow-Calf
The cow-calf was a specific switcher locomotive design released only by Electro-Motive during the 1940s and 1950s for transfer and yard service.
Apr 11, 2013
The 2-6-6-4 Wheel Arrangement
The 2-6-6-4 wheel arrangement was a late era steam locomotive design, and one of the finest Mallets ever built. Four railroads operated them, most notable of which was the N&W's Class A fleet.
Mar 31, 2013
The B Unit
The B unit, otherwise known as a booster, was a cabless locomotive that debuted during the early diesel era. Some exampels are still used today.
Mar 24, 2013
Slugs And Mates
Slugs, sometimes referred to as mates or drones, are unpowered units, which work with at least one locomotive to provided added tractive effort and adhesion.
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