http://www.american-rails.com/railroads-blog.html Visit the American-Rails.com blog to check out the latest new articles or updates to the site. Subscribe here. en-us railroads Wed, 22 May 2013 10:21:39 -0400 Wed, 22 May 2013 10:21:39 -0400 american-rails.com http://www.american-rails.com/transfer-locomotive.html32066fa8e9b68bdde7aea3122613fc0aThe transfer locomotive was a speciality design manufactured during the early diesel era to work between yards pulling cuts of cars. Few were built although some survive today. Mon, 20 May 2013 17:44:29 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/ontario-northland-railway.html0dfee0855f9a64302bf837196b4994f9The 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. Sat, 18 May 2013 16:16:10 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/northern-alberta-railways.html0dfe57243186471928b8a4ff7e0a2bceThe 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. Thu, 16 May 2013 21:42:21 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/pacific-great-eastern.html34a102fa47321320a8c6750c057b00f6The 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. Wed, 15 May 2013 17:01:14 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/general-motors-diesel.htmlde762b80e0615a349fe2397a1fb7770fGeneral 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. Tue, 14 May 2013 09:52:36 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/canadian-locomotive-company.html3b5cfd5165e9507684e0a48681ea17e2The 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. Mon, 13 May 2013 09:57:24 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/draper-taper.htmlc9ad774d13bd7aa8416aeb13808509a8The Draper Taper was exclusively seen in Canada, used only by the Canadian National where it first saw service on Bombardier's HR616. Sat, 11 May 2013 21:59:07 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/connellsville-extension.html5f8fd70106fdb03c921a4863866f1c78The 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. Fri, 10 May 2013 17:29:31 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/montreal-locomotive-works.htmlf6e953db45ce28cd483cec765b104f7bThe Montreal Locomotive Works, or MLW, was a Canadian manufacturer of locomotives that was acquired by the American Locomotive Company. It ceased production in 1985. Fri, 10 May 2013 12:15:30 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/mk5000c.htmlffaf54773b7515b97facdd1b5663b55fThe 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. Wed, 8 May 2013 17:52:38 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/morrison-knudsen.html349ac836b0569a7262f658e6376a5c88The 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. Wed, 8 May 2013 10:36:51 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/blunt-truck.htmld0441f2210a7191adfe0009b381e8d9fThe 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. Tue, 7 May 2013 15:17:13 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/aar-type-b.html26fc48971fb210910b2f811a4a74e2b9The 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. Mon, 6 May 2013 16:29:13 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/blomberg-truck.html17c4e8b398380c377bedb7a38dd248adThe Blomberg Truck was created by noted engineer Martin Blomberg during the 1930s. It was so well engineered it remained in production until the 1980s. Sun, 5 May 2013 21:58:43 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/flexicoil-truck.html311fbb4ba3c4ec2dadd84c1b79165d6cThe 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. Sun, 5 May 2013 11:11:43 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/gandy-dancer.html9096c3298668346e603405b369985e44The gandy dancer was a slang term used to describe section gangs, railroad men who performed the physical task of the tracks maintained. Fri, 3 May 2013 21:12:54 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/black-beetle.html1ff9c9acb82e6a9163287ea2d1767f7dThe 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. Thu, 2 May 2013 21:31:17 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/mars-light.htmlea35c7930c3c52dd12ef6a50a09893f5The Mars Light was a safety device developed during the 1930s by Jerry Kennelly that oscillated to warn bystanders. Thu, 2 May 2013 14:19:58 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/black-maria.html20fc058c8bdc8b121d2e3f043bb26802The 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. Wed, 1 May 2013 21:39:36 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/251.html7e76ceaa31ff9017766c0beb16291d9bAlco'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. Wed, 1 May 2013 14:08:40 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/710.html0c47cdebbf2a17abe1c7c7d44f98c8b9The EMD model 710 prime mover is the builder's lastest diesel engine powering its locomotives. It has been in production since 1984. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:46:11 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/train-rides.html68c2a9b33d94bb0d428adad63c2a1cfbLearn more about train rides here, broken down by state from the Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania to the Grand Canyon Railway in Arizona. Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:55:53 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/tunnel-motors.html029b7f95f1e1bfd61aa3956402a23d90Tunnel 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. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:42:14 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/road-switchers.html043a6d32da20182a4821711dd92c7996Road-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. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:13:08 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/switchers.html366cd5b4fe4d79efa2920c972b79052bSwitchers are a type of locomotive that have been around since the steam era designed for yard, transfer, and light freight work. Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:00:27 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/warbonnet.html8f69e28e5068fca3ca4cc206144b8686One 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. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:20:54 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/cow-calf.html6e5fbad405275687566f22ecca47ea96The cow-calf was a specific switcher locomotive design released only by Electro-Motive during the 1940s and 1950s for transfer and yard service. Sun, 14 Apr 2013 11:43:29 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/2-6-6-4.htmlf938fcb5209a254a1bfe4c8bbddb4f2fThe 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. Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:09:53 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/b-unit.html795a8a5ca02aa2037afce34520e2d777The B unit, otherwise known as a booster, was a cabless locomotive that debuted during the early diesel era. Some exampels are still used today. Sun, 31 Mar 2013 21:06:01 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/slugs.html970c81fa746252620d3a62079ca3fe54Slugs, sometimes referred to as mates or drones, are unpowered units, which work with at least one locomotive to provided added tractive effort and adhesion. Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:23:46 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/jawn-henry.html5ca51f71e68b5b85aa8619bb795f6a46The Norfolk & Western's Jawn Henry was an experimental steam turbine locomotive built in 1954. It proved problematic and troublesome and was scrapped by 1957. Sat, 23 Mar 2013 21:14:44 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/interurbans.htmlf2a30168792d96d6238693db89a0bf2bHere, you can learn about many of the interurbans and streetcar railroads that operated throughout the country, broken down by state. Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:56:32 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/articulated-steam-locomotive.htmlabdcf29d2be125c279ac8d6e9c8294a3The articulated steam locomotive was first used on the Baltimore & Ohio and is defined as having its lead set of drivers swivel to more easily negotiate curves. Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:46:16 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/compound-steam-locomotive.html6fa5caee25a2f51ea36286dfb652172bThe compound steam locomotive was meant to replace the simple expansion design by essentially using steam more efficiently. It was too complicated in many instances and was never widely used. Sun, 17 Mar 2013 21:51:05 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/railroad-turntable.html6972f2a6da79f7be0370970177b985f1The railroad turntable was once an important device found in most terminals to quickly and efficiently turn locomotives. The advent of diesel technology mostly eliminated the structure's need. Sun, 17 Mar 2013 18:06:45 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/tell-tales.html3f55273abb5dcc1b6f95a2d1312464abRailroad tell-tales were once a very important device for the safety of brakeman traveling the tops of freight cars. Modern airbrakes ended this practice and the need for the structure. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:10:45 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/tulip-viaduct.html4732f7711196b35318d0ffeb1bf296e1The Illinois Central's Tulip Viaduct located in southwestern Indiana was opened in 1906 and connected the company to Indianapolis. Today, it is still used by the Indiana Rail Road. Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:17:15 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/clinchfield-loops.html90319f2050993489642cbe7c38e62607The Clinchfield Loops, located in North Carolina, were a famous engineering feat in the construction of the Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio Railway to keep its main line at a reasonable grade. Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:10:13 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/raton-pass.htmlb6a272e1235f02e28d93cc4c74560550The Santa Fe's famous Raton Pass, located mostly in New Mexico, was part of the railroad's original main line between Chicago and Los Angeles. It sees little rail traffic today. Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:24:40 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/rathole-division.htmla2455add4c0d34fcd4926e8bded6becdThe Southern Railway's famous Rathole Division was the 2nd district of its Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific main line, so named for its numerous tunnels and is still used by Norfolk Southern. Sun, 10 Mar 2013 11:09:31 -0400 http://www.american-rails.com/4-12-2.html53a33551b5c6f8454c6325cad048f79aThe 4-12-2 "Union Pacific" was named for the only railroad which operated the design. The powerful wheel arrangement first entered service in 1926 and remained so until the 1950s. Thu, 7 Mar 2013 19:13:31 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/4-10-2.htmld7c666c80ef65530445fa40ae2828f93The 4-10-2 "Southern Pacific," otherwise known as the "Overland" on the Union Pacific was a unique design used only by the SP and UP and introduced in 1925. It proved to be rather unsuccessful. Wed, 6 Mar 2013 19:05:22 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/consolidation-mallet.html55ebd3d128ab7063dad180862520e51bThe 2-8-8-0 Consolidation Mallet was first put into service by the Santa Fe as an experimentation of a basic Consolidation in 1911. A handful of roads went on to operate their own variations. Tue, 5 Mar 2013 18:23:28 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/duplex-drive.htmlba152752951a442adb605e1e3a06d77bThe Duplex Drive steam locomotive was a curious design made famous through the Pennsylvania Railroad's Class T-1 4-4-4-4s. The diesel era ended further development of the design. Mon, 4 Mar 2013 19:24:57 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/triplex-steam-locomotive.htmlc2794fa8aff06c9c40204b301070aea7The Triplex steam locomotive was a unique design intended to offer maximum tractive effort in slow, drag service. Used by only the Erie and Virginian it proved unsuccesful. Sun, 3 Mar 2013 16:40:45 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/belpaire-firebox.html2abb7f56cfa85e3512632328482754c5The Belpaire Firebox was evented by Alfred Belpaire of Belgium in 1860 who sought to simply locomotive construction and gain while offering a design that offered more power. Sun, 3 Mar 2013 13:25:44 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/wootten-firebox.html3c9288e7e2e99e178f5e27fd823a7a23The Wootten Firebox was designed by John Wootten in 1877 to burn low-grade, anthracite coal slag known as culm, which led to the creation of the Mother Hubbard or Camelback locomotive. Sat, 2 Mar 2013 10:25:11 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/stephensons-planet.html74cd652fc729aad66ead9ef9746c5017Robert Stepehenson's Planet was the name applied to an early 2-2-0 steam locomotive the English builder designed in 1830. It was the first to utilize cylinders inside the frame. Fri, 1 Mar 2013 18:33:46 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/caboose.html68ebbb02cbad823f073491ee0ec07317Caboose is a book written by famed railroad author Brian Solomon that gives a great history and overview of this interesting and once important car. Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:11:20 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/copper-range-railroad.htmleeefd171d52fb7fb3ebff5012cb583e1The Copper Range Railroad was a shortline owned by the Copper Range Company and established in 1899 to serve several copper mines. It was abandoned in 1972. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:23:32 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/sitebuildit-and-your-success.htmlb90b3bae92e7d7010acd8c0d3235c83bSiteBuildIt And Your Success provides information on how American-Rails.com was allowed to be created and provides information on how you can build your own website! Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:17:00 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/cumberland-and-pennsylvania-railroad.htmlf664ddbb55489806ef58981bb351b98eThe Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad dates to the 1850s that served western Maryland and its many coal mines. Incidently, the C&P became a part of the actual Western Maryland in 1944. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:05:58 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/the-lone-tree.html760f8b9e82dc8d45ab3fa4280d6b0aa5The Lone Tree is a story by Tom Schuppert describing his experiences while on duty with the railroad involving a bad storm and stout tree. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:03:04 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/scrap-iron-big-foot-and-a-nice-day-on-a-branch-line.htmla6490e2cf6ceff9c646c7480ef6e4947Scrap Iron, Big Foot, and A Nice Day on a Branch Line is a tale by Tom Schuppert describing stories of those he worked with on the railroad and their unique nicknames. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:55:34 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/a-memoir.html5344dbd041426caa365991cbca717059As the title describes, read about William Howes, Jr.'s time working on the railroad and his days spent at both the C&O and B&O railroads. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:50:41 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/night-of-the-caboose.html203f20605cc8fc9b969d0dd53549e760The Night Of The Caboose is a story shared by Thomas Schuppert of his experiences early in his career working for the Burlington Northern in the upper Midwest in the early 1990s. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:46:28 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/a-personal-memoir-of-tunnel-21.html9b018e26f5a466b369b5a8c495ae6ff1Read about the days that Earl Scharper spent working on the B&O's Parkersburg Branch during the upgrades it received in the 1960s. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:41:19 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/railroad-experiences.html4ff8a963fdd422200a34b67ffe9eea20Railroad Experiences are memoirs written by Owen F. Ireland of his days working on the B&O railroad in Ohio beginning in the 1940s. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:32:35 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/reflections-of-a-civil-war-locomotive-engineer.htmle35549a7b9b89bfc556e29c4e148d2a9Reflections Of A Civil War Locomotive Engineer is a book written by Diana Bailey Harris. It is a fascinating memoir about her late relative John Bailey and his career in the railroad industry. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:23:20 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/the-iron-way.html749dc5143d7138ab8e2bd16c206abc97The Iron Way is a book written by William Thomas which explores the topic of railroads during the Civil War and the role they played during the conflict. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:17:11 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/the-christmas-train.html6e55bbf82f7c1decea63b0f87a6e38b3The Christmas Train is a fictional story about a horrific railroad accident during the 19th century written by Lawrence J. Dumas. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 12:34:34 -0500 http://www.american-rails.com/old-penn-station.html212810739c702725516266fe6e3d4f90Old Penn Station is a children's book written and illustrated by William Low that gives a history of New York's grand terminal. It is an excellent piece that has received many awards. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 12:28:30 -0500