1. Home
 ›
2. Fallen Flags
 ›
3. Chicago, South Shore & South Bend

Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad: "The South Shore Line"

Last revised: August 23, 2024

By: Adam Burns

The South Shore Line, officially known as the Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad (CSS&SB, was the most financially successful interurban of all-time).  However, its early years were fraught with set backs as business never materialized.  

The thought of complete shutdown was a real possibility when the property entered receivership in 1925.  It was then that Samuel Insull's powerful empire gained control and set about a complete transformation of the property.  

These efforts, and the interurban's ability to reach Chicago's Loop brought prosperity for the first time.  Its freight and passenger traffic rapidly took off as profits soared.

The Great Depression caused Insull to lose control but the "South Shore Line" survived these lean years thanks to the precedents he had established.  

As the years passed the CSS&SB increasingly lost its interurban traits.  It so closely mirrored its larger counterparts that the Interstate Commerce Commission ended its classification as a traction carrier.  

Today, the original CSS&SB is a memory but its successor still handles freight and the state-run Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) continues providing passenger/commuter service.

South Shore Line R-2 boxcab #703 was photographed here at Hammond, Indiana with a short freight train on October 12, 1956. Author's collection.

History

The South Shore Line was one of the few interurbans to enjoy many years of profitability.  The company's early years, though, were a struggle.  

It began as the Chicago & Indiana Air Line Railway, incorporated on December 2, 1901 to link East Chicago with South Bend, Indiana.  

The road's promoters, a Cleveland syndicate led by J.B. Hanna, were well financed and by 1903, 3.4 miles had opened from East Chicago to Indiana Harbor.  

That same year additional franchises were secured through Michigan City and South Bend, thus enabling completion of its charter as intended.  

South Shore Line car #108 crosses the St. Joseph River along LaSalle Avenue in South Bend, Indiana on July 9, 1960. Author's collection.

Chicago, Lake Shore & South Bend

In 1904 a corporate name change took place when the C&IAL became the Chicago, Lake Shore & South Bend Railway (CLS&SB) to better reflect the company's intentions.  During its construction high voltage, alternating current (AC) power was seen as the future in electrification.  

It was developed, and championed, in the late 19th century by George Westinghouse as a substitute to General Electric's direct current technology.

Its advantages included fewer substations to maintain sufficient supply, voltage could be carried over long distances without power loss, and the availability of more powerful induction motors.

Logo

The South Shore Line Railroad logo. Author's work.

After consultants determined an AC system would yield considerable construction cost savings, a 6,600-volt, system was approved.  As William D. Middleton notes in his book, "South Shore:  The Last Interurban," only 700 volts were utilized in the cities of Gary, Michigan City, and South Bend for safety reasons.  

While this drastic power difference was somewhat of an operational headache the real issue proved to be the heavier AC equipment, which substantially increased the cars' weight.  

As management soon discovered, this considerably drove up operating and maintenance costs, which ultimately offset any savings derived during construction.  Like the nearby Chicago, Aurora & Elgin, the CLS&SB was built to very high standards although did not employ third-rail.  

Instead, it featured traditional overhead caternary supported by lineside poles with track speeds rated up to 75 mph.  After the initial segment had been completed, work proceeded quickly to reach South Bend and regular service launched on September 6, 1908.  

Expansion

The CLS&SB had not been opened long when management recognized a direct entry into Chicago was needed.  The western terminal of Hammond, Indiana was untenable; there simply was not enough traffic at this location to sustain the interurban.  To achieve a Windy City connection, an agreement was reached with Illinois Central to lease its subsidiary, the Kensington & Eastern.  

This short, electrified system connected with the IC's downtown Chicago line at Pullman, running east to an interchange with the CLS&SB at Hammond.  It opened for service on April 4, 1909.  

At A Glance

While the new connection did not provide direct, point-to-point service into Chicago, the two roads did offer fluid schedules which enabled passengers to reach Illinois Central's downtown stations at Van Buren and Randolph Streets.  

The CLS&SB's entire corridor was 91 miles although as W. Donald Allison's article, "The Railroad With Orange Trains" from the May, 1953 issue of Trains Magazine points out, only the 69.5 miles from Hammond to South Bend was under its direct ownership.  

Unfortunately, lack of through, single-seat service continued to hamper ridership.  To make matters worse the road's final construction cost of $4.5 million was nearly double that originally estimated and planners had not even bothered to develop carload freight business (they were finally launched in 1916).

South Shore Line steeple cabs #1008 and #1002 have a short extra at Burnham, Illinois on September 24, 1955. Author's collection.

Insull Era

Ownership's frustration began to set in as the system sank deeper into red ink, earning a return of less than 1%.  It saw some growth during World War I but the 1920's were a further struggle.  

By 1924 it had posted a net deficit of $1.7 million and those in control wanted out.  At this time Samuel Insull became interested, recognizing the property's potential.  

Insull was born in London, England on November 11, 1859 to a modest family.  He took his first job at 14, and then found employment as a switchboard operator with a Thomas Edison-owned company in London during 1889.  

When he was 21, he immigrated to the United States to continue his employment duties within the Edison companies and slowly worked his way up through the ranks. 

He rose to vice-president within the recently created General Electric but after not achieving the presidency moved on to another new firm, the Chicago Edison Company.  

Through the end of the 19th century and beyond, Insull became an industry leader in the utilities field of natural gas and electricity.  He also believed that electrified railroads, notably interurbans, were the future in transportation.  

As Larry Plancho notes in his book, "The Story Of The Chicago Aurora & Elgin Railroad, 2 - History," Insull was regarded as fair-minded and believed in providing top quality service for his customers.

System Map (1969)

An official, 1969 system map of the Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad. Author's collection.

During the height of his empire he held properties in 32 states with assets totaling more than $2 billion.  Among his interurban portfolios, he controlled Chicago's primary three: the Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee; Chicago, Aurora & Elgin; and the South Shore.  

To necessitate takeover of the latter it was placed into receivership on February 28, 1925.  A few months later a new company was incorporated on June 23rd; known as the Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad it acquired the former CLS&SB assets.  

South Shore Line MU #107 rolls west down Orange Street in South Bend, Indiana as R-2 boxcab #703 switches Royal Adhesives & Sealants on January 27, 1964. This trackage has since been abandoned. Roger Puta photo.

Typical of Insull's belief in high quality service, new management immediately went to work overhauling the system.  

The more notable improvements included pouring tons of fresh ballast, laying 100 pound rail in place of the original 70-80 pound variety, installing new ties, purchasing new steel cars from Pullman, overhauling the signaling system, and tying in high-speed turnouts.  

Due to the predecessor's poor financial situation it had been unable to carry out even basic maintenance such as weed control.  Insull's group quickly recognized the major impediment to growth was lack of through service into Chicago.

A pair of South Shore Line R-2 boxcabs (ex-New York Central) tote a single boxcar down Orange Street, at the intersection of Huey Street, in South Bend, Indiana on May 10, 1964. The locomotives are probably either coming from, or going to, switch a local customer, H.B. Fuller, just a few hundred feet behind the boxcar to the right. Author's collection.

A fortuitous situation presented itself when, at the same time, Illinois Central was finishing an electrification project of its suburban lines to satisfy a city ordinance.  The two quickly worked out a plan whereby South Shore trains would utilize IC trackage rights directly into its Randolph Street Station.  

However, to operate within this territory meant adopting IC's 1,500-volt, direct-current system.  Work proceeded quickly to retire the 6,600-volt AC operation and the new DC electrification was ready for service by July of 1926.  There were a total of eight substations constructed to supply power.  

These buildings were located at Hammond, Gary, Michigan City, New Carlisle, Ogden Dunes, South Bend, Tee Lake, and Tremont.  South Shore trains began rolling into downtown Chicago on August 29th.  The effects were immediate although it was the following year which truly told the story as passenger business more than doubled that of 1926 levels.  

The Insull team, between upgrades and conversion to DC operation, had invested more than $6.5 million into the interurban.  To further enhance demand, parlor cars, and even dining services, were introduced in 1927. The company also launched the Shore Line Motor Coach Company to funnel additional business to its trains.

"Moonlight In Duneland," by Leslie Ragan.

Posters

After Insull acquired the South Shore Line the company spent a great deal of resources promoting its services to boost both freight and passenger business.  

There were considerable newspaper advertisements, booklets, and even an accurate, operable scale model produced for this purpose.  

None, however, were more eye-catching than the vivid lithographic posters created by several Chicago artists.  These pieces were commissioned to attract attention while increasing ridership, and that they did!  

The most-often featured location was Indiana's popular Dunes along the southern shores of Lake Michigan.  The area somewhat resembles coastal beaches in the Southeast and the South Shore Line went to great lengths in helping the state preserve this natural wonder.

Eventually, the Indiana Dunes State Park was established which is today part of the much larger, federally protected Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.  

To see wonderful reproductions of these striking works of art pick up a copy of, "Moonlight In Duneland: The Illustrated Story Of The Chicago South Shore And South Bend Railroad," by Ronald Cohen and Stephen McShane.

South Shore Line MU combine #100 receives a bath at the shops in South Bend, Indiana on June 25, 1960. American-Rails.com collection.

By 1928 the South Shore Line was boasting gross revenues of over $3 million, a more than three-fold increase from the years leading up to Insull control.

There was also a concentrated effort at expanding freight operations, a tactic which had proved modestly successful on the nearby North Shore Line and CA&E.  

During the latter 1920's a series of 80 and 85-ton steeple-cab motors arrived from Baldwin/Westinghouse for this purpose but just as this was getting underway, the Great Depression hit in October of 1929.  

The proceeding economic downturn caused Insull to lose control in 1932 after his companies tumbled into bankruptcy and South Shore soon followed, entering receivership on September 30, 1933.  

New management carried on Insull's practices and by decade's end things had stabilized.  In 1938 the company exited receivership as it took on a greater role in moving freight.  

After the United States entered World War II this business was totaling nearly $2 million annually, a number that had reached $3.5 million by 1950.  

Like the standard railroads, the South Shore Line struggled to meet passenger demands during the conflict, an issue made more difficult by the fact that it was unable to purchase new equipment.  

Officials came up with an interesting but effective solution.  Its primary shops in Michigan City, Indiana simply rebuilt the fleet, increasing car lengths to accommodate more seating.

Chicago, South Shore & South Bend 2-D+D-2 "800" #802 lays over between assignments in Michigan City, Indiana during August of 1950. Gordon Lloyd photo.

By the postwar years the Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad was more closely resembling its larger counterparts and losing its identity as a diminutive, lightly-trafficked interurban.  

As the passenger business became increasingly unprofitable, management realized the road's future lay in freight.  To accommodate growing traffic it picked up three monstrous 2-D+D-2 motors from General Electric in 1949.  

These machines weighed 273 tons and were rated at more than 5,000 horsepower.  The fleet of twenty had originally been destined for the Soviet Union but could not be delivered following the Cold War's outbreak.  

They are most famous for their time spent on the Milwaukee Road where, known as "Little Joes," they proved quite adept at handling either freight or passenger consists through the northern Rocky Mountains in western Montana and Idaho's Northern Panhandle.  The South Shore's trio, regarded as "800's" (since they were placed within the 800 Class, numbered #801-803), proved just as skilled.  

As Mr. Allison's article notes they could easily pull whatever tonnage required while cruising at 45 mph.  During the latter 1950's the big motors were complemented by a group of six, 140-ton C-C electrics purchased second-hand from the New York Central.  

The former NYC "R-2's" were placed within the 700 Class and their beefy 3,000 horsepower allowed for retirement of the remaining steeple-cabs.  Aside from its passenger situation the South Shore Line faced another issue during the 1950's.  When originally constructed the interurban had, like many others, simply placed its right-of-way directly through city streets.  

South Shore Line's Train #15 is stopped at the station in Michigan City, Indiana on 11th Street in September, 1963. Rick Burn photo.

This became an operational nightmare in East Chicago where there were so many trains during a typical weekday that one passed through the busy streets regularly, every hour.  

It not only became an extreme annoyance to locals but also greatly bottlenecked rail operations.  To alleviate the problem an extensive bypass was constructed, which opened in late 1956.  

The last years of South Shore's independence were a roller coaster.  The company continued to maintain a strong freight business thanks to the heavy industrialized regions of northwestern Indiana and South Chicago (it had surpassed $4 million by the early 1960's) but the passenger situation was becoming intolerable.  

In 1958 deficits had grown to $719,000 and the red ink had more than tripled by the 1970's.  The situation was further complicated by the need to retire its aging Pullman equipment but there was no funds to do so.  On January 3, 1967 the Chesapeake & Ohio acquired the South Shore Line for its freight business.  

While Chessie's ownership lasted only a little more than a decade it brought diesels to the property for the first time when first-generation GP7's arrived followed by brand new GP38-2's in 1981.  Today, the latter remain in service.  Freight electrification ended on January 31, 1981 when "800" #803 made its final run.  

South Shore Line MU coach #1, manufactured by Pullman in 1926, was photographed here at Michigan City, Indiana on August 9, 1960. American-Rails.com collection.

Passenger Equipment

Chicago & Indiana Air Line Railway

Chicago, Lake Shore & South Bend Railway

Not included here are a handful of second-hand coaches picked up from the Santa Fe around 1917.

Chicago, South Shore & South Bend

South Shore '800' #801 is parked next to Broadway Station between assignments in Gary, Indiana in February 1963. Rick Burn photo.

Electric Locomotive Roster

Chicago, Lake Shore & South Bend Railway

Under the CLS&SB, management did not bother establishing a carload freight business for more than a decade even though it was located within a region that carried a great deal of industrial development.

It finally launched freight service on August 1, 1916, which was rapidly expanded upon by the Insull interests.

Chicago, South Shore & South Bend

*    Built in 1930-1931 for the New York Central, listed as Class R-2.  Rebuilt by South Shore Line's Michigan City Shops between 1955-1958.  

**   Built in 1929, acquired from the IC in 1941 to handle wartime traffic.

***  Sold to the Niagara Junction Railway where they became #8-9.

Chicago, South Shore & South Bend MU car #104 (originally built by Pullman in 1927) works its way down LaSalle Avenue in South Bend, Indiana along the eastern end of the interurban's network during the summer of 1969. Gary Allen photo.

Diesel Roster

Chicago, South Shore & South Bend

* Originally built for Reserve Mining in 1978 as #1239 and #1230.

Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) Roster

The above roster information is not quite complete but is presented with the best information available.  All information courtesy of the following resources:

Middleton, William D.  South Shore: The Last Interurban.  Bloomington:  Indiana University Press, 1999 edition.

Middleton, William D.  Traction Classics:  The Interurbans, Extra Fast And Extra Fare.  San Marino:  Golden West Books, 1985.

South Shore Line R-2 boxcabs and an "800" motor, #803, at the interurban's shops in Michigan City, Indiana in June, 1960. The R-2's had been acquired in the latter 1950's from the New York Central. Author's collection.

Today

Three years later, in September of 1984, the C&O, which was transitioning to create CSX Transportation, sold the South Shore Line to a private group, the Venango River Corporation.  This new ownership survived for only a few years when it encountered bankruptcy in 1989.  

The railroad's freight operations were then acquired by the Anacostia & Pacific which formed the Chicago, SouthShore & South Bend Railroad on January 1, 1990.  

During this process the publicly-funded Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) had been attempting to purchase the property for a decade to maintain commuter service.  

It was finally able to do so following Venango's bankruptcy.  Under the current agreement, NICTD owns all trackage and facilities while Anacostia & Pacific has exclusive access for freight services and directly owns the former K&E trackage (purchased from Illinois Central in 1996).  

Today, the A&P notes its traffic base consists of "chemicals, coal, grain, manufactured products, paper, pig iron, steel, and roofing materials."  

And so, as it has done for over a century, "America's Last Interurban" soldiers on moving both freight and passengers across northern Indiana.  To learn more about today's modern South Shore Line commuter system please click here.

Photo Gallery

South Shore Line line car 1100 sits next to a fan trip led by car 107 at Tamarack, Indiana on January 24, 1965. Rick Burn photo.

A big South Shore Line '800', #803, works freight service at Clark Road in Gary, Indiana on January 24, 1964. Rick Burn photo.

South Shore Line coach #17 was photographed here at Gary, Indiana on September 11, 1960. American-Rails.com collection.

South Shore Line coach #30 and an express trailer are tied down at the Randolph Street Station in Chicago on September 11, 1960. American-Rails.com collection.

South Shore Line coach #38 was photographed here at Gary, Indiana on September 11, 1960. American-Rails.com collection.

South Shore Line's yard in Gary, Indiana, as seen from the end of the station platform on September 11, 1960. American-Rails.com collection.

The South Shore Line's depot in Gary, Indiana as seen on September 11, 1960. American-Rails.com collection.

FacebookXPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsAppMessenger

Recent Articles

• 
• 
• 

1. Algoma Central Railway: Map, Logo, Rosters

   Oct 17, 26 10:49 PM

   
   Algoma Central Railway, Sault Ste. Marie to Hearst. Wisconsin Central on February 1, 1995. Fifty-nine steam locomotives and forty-two diesels.

   Read More

2. Akron, Canton and Youngstown Railroad: Map, History, Rosters

   Oct 17, 26 05:49 PM

   
   Akron, Canton and Youngstown Railroad, Mogadore to Delphos. The rails never reached Canton or Youngstown. Norfolk & Western control on October 16, 1964. Twenty-six diesels and the historical society's…

   Read More

3. Georgia Railroad: Map, History, Logo, Rosters

   Oct 17, 26 12:59 PM

   
   Georgia Railroad, the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company, Augusta to Atlanta, with the Athens branch and the Macon Road. Mark GA. The railroad properties were sold on November 4, 1982.

   Read More

4. West Point Route (Railroad): Map, History, Logo

   Oct 16, 26 11:26 PM

   
   The West Point Route was a trademarked name comprising the Atlanta & West Point and Western Railway of Alabama, which were controlled by the Georgia Railroad.

   Read More

5. Virginian Railway Diesel Roster (All-Time)

   Oct 16, 26 11:11 PM

   
   All-time diesel roster of the Virginian Railway. 40 Fairbanks-Morse H16-44s, 25 H24-66 Train Masters, and one GE 44-tonner. Serials included.

   Read More

6. Virginian Railway Steam Roster (Post 1900)

   Oct 16, 26 10:55 PM

   
   Virginian Railway steam locomotives built since 1900. Mikados, 2-8-8-2s, the Triplex, class AE 2-10-10-2s, and the 1945 2-6-6-6s.

   Read More

7. Virginian Railway: Map, Rosters, History, Electrification

   Oct 16, 26 10:51 PM

   
   Virginian Railway, Deepwater to Norfolk. Combined in 1907 and completed in 1909. Electrified from Roanoke to Elmore. Absorbed by the Norfolk & Western on December 1, 1959.

   Read More

8. Baldwin "Centipede" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, Photos

   Oct 16, 26 03:58 PM

   
   Baldwin DR-12-8-1500/2 Centipede—2-D+D-2, two 608SC engines, 3,000 hp. SAL 4500 from the 1943 test bed. 54 on the serial list, 52 sold. PRR BP60 then BH50. None preserved.

   Read More

9. Louisville & Nashville Class M-1 2-8-4s: The Big Emmas

   Oct 16, 26 03:52 PM

   
   Louisville & Nashville class M-1, 42 Big Emma 2-8-4s. Baldwin in 1942 and 1944, Lima in 1949. Coal trains from Neon to DeCoursey. No locomotive survives.

   Read More

10. Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Railway: Map, History, Rosters

    Oct 16, 26 03:21 PM

    
    Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Railway, Chattanooga to Gadsden. The May 1929 card is 91.7 miles. Southern stock control closed on a January 1, 1971 schedule. Five diesels and Prince's steam list.

    Read More

11. Railroad Museums In The USA (2026): State Guides & Collections

    Oct 16, 26 02:29 PM

    
    U.S. railroad museums—what they are vs tourist railroads, preservation history (R&LHS, NRHS, IRM, Steamtown), state guides, and destination collections. Confirm hours on each museum’s site.

    Read More

12. Wyoming Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 16, 26 02:26 PM

    
    Wyoming railroad museums—the Cheyenne Depot, Burlington 5633 at Douglas, Big Boy 4004, and the Laramie depot. Confirm hours and which locomotive is on the property.

    Read More

13. West Virginia Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 16, 26 12:52 PM

    
    West Virginia railroad museums—Cass Scenic’s geared steam, the Hinton C&O collection, and the Martinsburg B&O roundhouse. Confirm hours and which locomotive is assigned.

    Read More

14. Washington Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 16, 26 12:46 PM

    
    Washington railroad museums—Snoqualmie, Elbe, Chehalis, Reardan, and the Northern Pacific depot at Toppenish. Confirm hours and which locomotive is assigned.

    Read More

15. Vermont Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 16, 26 12:42 PM

    
    Vermont railroad museums—the Shelburne Museum’s 1890 station, Central Vermont No. 220, and the private car Grand Isle. Confirm hours on the site.

    Read More

16. Tennessee Central Railway: Map, Logo, Rosters, History

    Oct 16, 26 11:32 AM

    
    Tennessee Central Railway, Harriman to Hopkinsville. Reorganized January 26, 1922. Last day August 31, 1968. Thirty-one diesels and the railroad's steam roster.

    Read More

17. Southern Railway Steam Roster (Post 1900)

    Oct 16, 26 09:40 AM

    
    Southern Railway steam locomotives built since 1900. Ps-4 Pacifics, Ts Mountains, USRA Santa Fes, and the subsidiary grids for the CNO&TP, Alabama Great Southern, and New Orleans and Northeastern.

    Read More

18. Southern Railway (USA): Map, Locomotives, Logo, History

    Oct 16, 26 09:28 AM

    
    The Southern Railway, formed July 1, 1894 from the Richmond and Danville and the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia. Washington. Norfolk Southern Railway on December 31, 1990.

    Read More

19. Seaboard Coast Line Diesel Roster (All-Time)

    Oct 15, 26 04:21 PM

    
    All-time diesel roster of the Seaboard Coast Line. Inherited Coast Line and Seaboard locomotives, then 623 new locomotives in the printed orders, plus 28 acquired from other railroads.

    Read More

20. Seaboard Coast Line Railroad: Map, History, Photos

    Oct 15, 26 04:17 PM

    
    The Seaboard Coast Line, formed July 1, 1967 from the Atlantic Coast Line and the Seaboard Air Line. Jacksonville. Family Lines, then the Seaboard System on December 29, 1982.

    Read More

21. South Carolina Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 15, 26 02:54 PM

    
    South Carolina railroad museums—Winnsboro’s Rockton & Rion line, Spartanburg’s Hub City depot, Greenwood’s Baldwin No. 19, and the Best Friend replica. Confirm hours on each site.

    Read More

22. South Dakota Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 15, 26 10:55 AM

    
    South Dakota railroad museums—the Hill City museum beside the 1880 Train, and Prairie Village at Madison. Confirm hours, and confirm whether Hill City is still open.

    Read More

23. Seaboard Air Line Diesel Roster (All-Time)

    Oct 15, 26 10:46 AM

    
    All-time diesel roster of the Seaboard Air Line. 734 locomotives: E4s in 1938, Centipedes, Alco road switchers, and GP40s through February 1967. Serials included.

    Read More

24. Seaboard Air Line Steam Roster (Post 1900)

    Oct 15, 26 10:39 AM

    
    Seaboard Air Line steam locomotives built since 1900. Mikados, Russian Decapods, 2-10-2s, and the 2-6-6-4s sold to the Baltimore and Ohio in 1947. Drury's class grid.

    Read More

25. Seaboard Air Line Railroad: Map, Rosters, History

    Oct 15, 26 10:34 AM

    
    The Seaboard Air Line, chartered in the Portsmouth and Roanoke of 1832 and formed July 1, 1900. Inland route to Florida. Merged into the Seaboard Coast Line on July 1, 1967.

    Read More

26. Utah Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 15, 26 12:04 AM

    
    Utah railroad museums—Ogden Union Station, Golden Spike at Promontory, the Helper mining museum, and the Heber Valley Railroad. Confirm hours on each site.

    Read More

27. Escanaba & Lake Superior Diesel Roster (All-Time)

    Oct 14, 26 10:44 PM

    
    All-time diesel roster of the Escanaba & Lake Superior. 30 locomotives: Baldwin switchers and RS-12s, two RF16s, three GP38s, three SD40-2s, and the Reserve Mining units. Serials and order numbers.

    Read More

28. Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad: In Service Since 1898

    Oct 14, 26 09:04 PM

    
    Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad, chartered November 17, 1898, and still operating from Wells, Michigan. Logging line to Channing, the Milwaukee Road lines, and the diesel roster.

    Read More

29. Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Diesel Roster (All-Time)

    Oct 14, 26 08:49 PM

    
    All-time diesel roster of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac. 107 locomotives: 22 Alco S2s, one SW1, and an Electro-Motive road fleet from E8s to GP40-2s. Serials and order numbers.

    Read More

30. Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Steam Roster (Since 1900)

    Oct 14, 26 08:46 PM

    
    Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac steam locomotives built since 1900. Pacifics, Mountains, Berkshire-type 2-8-4s, and the named 4-8-4s. Last revenue run December 17, 1954.

    Read More

31. Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad: Map, Rosters, Logo

    Oct 14, 26 08:36 PM

    
    The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac, chartered February 25, 1834. A 113-mile Richmond–Washington bridge line. Named 4-8-4s, Potomac Yard, and the CSX sale of October 10, 1991.

    Read More

32. North Dakota Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 14, 26 08:29 PM

    
    North Dakota railroad museums—Mandan’s state museum, the Railroad Museum of Minot, and Bonanzaville’s Northern Pacific 684. Confirm hours on each site.

    Read More

33. Oklahoma Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 14, 26 08:02 PM

    
    Oklahoma railroad museums—the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Enid’s Frisco 1519, Waynoka’s Harvey House, and El Reno’s Rock Island depot. Confirm hours on each site.

    Read More

34. Oneida & Western Railroad: Map, History, Timetable

    Oct 14, 26 06:47 PM

    
    Oneida & Western Railroad, a Tennessee short line from Oneida to Jamestown. Chartered in 1912, opened to East Jamestown in 1921, and to Jamestown on December 10, 1930. Last revenue train March 4, 1954…

    Read More

35. Oneida and Western Railroad (Shamrock Coal Company)

    Oct 14, 26 03:20 PM

    
    Shamrock Coal's mint-green coal trains, 1979–1987. Eight EMD SD40-2s, OWTX 9950–9957, order 786246. Two 72-car gondola sets. Louisville & Nashville, then CSX. Sold to BC Rail.

    Read More

36. Rhode Island Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 14, 26 03:03 PM

    
    Rhode Island railroad museums—the Friends’ museum in the 1875 Kingston depot, on the old New York, Providence and Boston. Confirm what is on view.

    Read More

37. Original Norfolk Southern Diesel Roster (All-Time)

    Oct 14, 26 12:40 PM

    
    All-time diesel roster of the original Norfolk Southern Railway. 59 locomotives: Baldwin switchers and AS-416s, three GE 70-tonners, 17 GP18s, and seven GP38s. Serials and order numbers.

    Read More

38. Original Norfolk Southern Railway: Map, Rosters, History

    Oct 14, 26 10:09 AM

    
    The original Norfolk Southern Railway, chartered in 1870 as the Elizabeth City & Norfolk. Norfolk to Charlotte. Merged into the Southern Railway on January 1, 1974. Baldwin diesels and the GP18s and G…

    Read More

39. Nebraska Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 14, 26 10:00 AM

    
    Nebraska railroad museums—the Durham Museum, Kenefick Park, Cody Park, and the Golden Spike Tower over Bailey Yard. Confirm hours on each site.

    Read More

40. Nevada Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 14, 26 09:51 AM

    
    Nevada railroad museums—Carson City, Boulder City, the Nevada Northern at East Ely, and the Virginia City depot. Confirm hours on each site.

    Read More

41. Montana Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 14, 26 12:17 AM

    
    Montana railroad museums—the Livingston depot, Fort Missoula’s Willamette, the Harlowton Milwaukee depot, and the Whitefish station. Confirm hours on each site.

    Read More

42. "Jawn Henry" Locomotive: Specs, Diagram, Photos

    Oct 14, 26 12:03 AM

    
    Norfolk & Western No. 2300, class TE-1, the steam turbine-electric Jawn Henry. Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton, Westinghouse, and Babcock & Wilcox, May 1954. Specifications, the road tests, and the Dece…

    Read More

43. Atlantic and Danville Railway: Serving Southern VA

    Oct 13, 26 04:32 PM

    
    Atlantic and Danville Railway, chartered in 1882, incorporated September 1883. Three-foot line to Claremont, then Norfolk to Danville. Southern lease from September 1, 1899, to July 1, 1949. Alco RS2s…

    Read More

44. Norfolk, Franklin and Danville Railroad: Map, Roster, History

    Oct 13, 26 04:26 PM

    
    Norfolk, Franklin and Danville Railway, chartered October 2, 1962, and operating from November 1, 1962. Norfolk to Danville, 210.8 miles. Two Alco RS36s and four RS11s. Merged into the N&W on December…

    Read More

45. Norfolk & Western Diesel Roster (All-Time)

    Oct 12, 26 11:59 PM

    
    Norfolk & Western diesel roster, all-time. 1,464 locomotives built new for the railroad, from the 1955 GP9s and RS-3s through the C36-7s, plus the merger fleets.

    Read More

46. Norfolk & Western Steam Roster (Post 1900)

    Oct 12, 26 11:52 PM

    
    Norfolk & Western steam since 1898. The Roanoke grid: 1,266 locomotives, the J, the A, and the Y, and the last road steam on May 7, 1960.

    Read More

47. Norfolk & Western Railway: Map, Logo, Rosters, History

    Oct 12, 26 11:45 PM

    
    The Norfolk & Western, from the City Point Railroad of 1838 to Norfolk Southern. Pocahontas coal, Roanoke steam, and the 1964 expansion.

    Read More

48. Louisiana Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 12, 26 11:24 PM

    
    Louisiana railroad museums—the DeQuincy depot, the Long Leaf sawmill, Jackson’s model railroad, and Southern Pacific 745. Confirm hours on each site.

    Read More

49. Michigan Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 12, 26 11:14 PM

    
    Michigan railroad museums—Pere Marquette 1225 at Owosso, Durand Union Station, The Henry Ford, and the Mount Clemens depot. Confirm hours on each site.

    Read More

50. Mississippi Railroad Museums (2026): A Complete Guide

    Oct 12, 26 10:52 PM

    
    Mississippi railroad museums—McComb’s rebuilt Illinois Central depot and Illinois Central 2542, and the Casey Jones museum at Water Valley. Confirm hours on each site.

    Read More