American Railroads: History, Travel & Today’s Industry
Last revised: August 12, 2026
By: Adam Burns
American-Rails.com is a free educational guide to the railroads of the United States—classic fallen flags and streamliners, steam and diesel locomotives, engineering landmarks, today’s Class I freights and short lines, scenic tourist trains, Amtrak, museums, and railroad jobs. Whether you are planning a trip, researching a railroad that no longer exists, or simply love the iron horse, start with a path below or browse more than 2,800 pages of history and travel coverage.
A handsome Rio Grande F7A, #5664, in Denver, Colorado, circa 1970. Robert Eastwood, Jr. photo. American-Rails.com collection.
Start Here
Not sure where to click? These are the main doors into the site:
| If you want to… | Go here |
|---|---|
| Ride a scenic or tourist train (state guides, fall foliage, holidays) | Tourist Trains · Fall Foliage · Christmas Trains |
| Study classic railroads that merged or disappeared | Fallen Flags · Railroad History |
| Learn locomotives — steam, diesel, electric | Steam · Diesel · Locomotive History |
| Understand today’s freight industry | Class I Railroads · Regionals · Short Lines |
| Explore streamliners, landmarks & stations | Streamliners · Landmarks · Stations |
| Research railroad jobs & crafts | Railroad Jobs · Conductor · Engineer |
Seasonal Travel (Right Now)
- Fall foliage train rides — national hub; pair with state guides such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Colorado, and New Hampshire
- Dinner trains · All tourist / scenic trains
- Amtrak for long-distance and corridor travel (see also our Amtrak overview)
Swap this section when holidays approach: point to Christmas and Polar Express hubs.
Pillars of American-Rails.com
| Section | What you’ll find |
|---|---|
| Industry History | Origins, Golden Age, regulation & revival, timeline |
| Fallen Flags | Classic railroads absorbed by merger or bankruptcy |
| Tycoons & Barons | Builders of the Gilded Age network |
| Steam / Diesel / Electric | Locomotive types, builders, and eras |
| Passenger cars / Freight cars | Rolling stock explained |
| Interurbans & streetcars | Electric traction beyond main-line railroads |
| Narrow gauge / Logging lines | Mountain and timber railroads |
| Museums / State history | Where to visit and state-by-state context |
| Glossary | Terms and railroad language |
Santa Fe F3A #29-L just off the turntable at Redondo Junction in Los Angeles during the 1960s. Fred Worsfold photo. American-Rails.com collection.
A Brief Word on U.S. Railroad History
From early experiments in the 1820s through the steam locomotive and the Civil War boom, American railroads stitched together a continental economy. Mileage peaked near 254,000 route miles around 1916—the so-called Golden Age, when four-track mains, great passenger stations, and heavy freights defined modern transport.
Twentieth-century highways, airlines, and tight federal regulation eroded that monopoly. By the 1970s, bankruptcies (including Penn Central) forced Amtrak (1971) to take most intercity passengers and Conrail (1976) to reorganize Northeastern freights. The Staggers Rail Act of 1980 deregulated much of the rate and abandonment process; freight rail recovered into today’s Class I, regional, and short-line map.
For the full story—timeline, inventors, decades, and operating philosophy—see Railroad History (USA). For the classic corporate names that vanished into mergers, start at Fallen Flags.
Travel: America by Rail
Even under Amtrak, long-distance trains still cross New River Gorge country, Glacier, the Rockies, the Southwest, and the Pacific coast. Tourist railroads and dinner trains recreate pieces of the Silver Age experience—Strasburg steam, Durango narrow gauge, Napa Valley dining, and hundreds of state-by-state options.
- Scenic & tourist train rides
- Amtrak · Rail tours · Passenger train guide
- Dinner trains · Named streamliners (history)
Louisville & Nashville U25B #1602 leads a manifest northbound near Louisville, Kentucky, July 19, 1972. American-Rails.com collection.
About This Site
I have been interested in trains for as long as I can remember. When I could not find a single, detailed free resource covering American railroad history online, I began building one in 2007. American-Rails.com grew from that project into a large reference covering fallen flags, locomotives, passenger and freight equipment, landmarks, interurbans, logging roads, museums, tourist railroads, and employment crafts.
I do not claim to be an industry insider—only a careful student of the subject. If you spot an error, please contact me. Corrections from readers have improved the site for years.
More: About · Creating the site · Works cited / resources
Note: This site is not a railroad and does not hire employees. Job pages explain crafts and where to look; they are not a placement service. See Railroad Jobs.
Santa Fe F7A #260-C and other F units head west over Cajon Pass near Keenbrook, California, circa 1960. Fred Worsfold photo. American-Rails.com collection.
Popular Starting Pages
- Pennsylvania scenic train rides · National tourist train guide
- Fallen flags · New York Central · Railroad tycoons
- Steam locomotives · Diesel locomotives · Class I railroads
- Famous landmarks · Railroad jobs · Glossary
Use the site search or the navigation menu for a full directory. New articles also appear in the blog / recent articles feed below.
Thank you for visiting. Enjoy exploring America’s railroads—past and present.
Recent Articles
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CSX Santa Train Will Feature Locomotives 250 and 2026
Nov 10, 26 01:51 PM
The CSX Santa Train will feature locomotives 250 and 2026 on November 21, 2026. The 84th running covers 110 miles from Shelbiana, Kentucky, to Kingsport, Tennessee. -
Denton County Asks to Extend Stadler Car Relief
Nov 10, 26 01:05 PM
Denton County Transit Authority has asked the FRA to extend a waiver for its Stadler diesel multiple-unit cars. Comments run to January 11, 2027. -
FreightCar America Reports Third-Quarter Results
Nov 10, 26 01:02 PM
FreightCar America reported third-quarter revenue of $76.5 million and 662 railcar deliveries. Backlog stood at 2,660 cars valued at $284.5 million. -
Amtrak Has Filed a Train Control Amendment
Nov 10, 26 12:53 PM
Amtrak asked the FRA on October 26, 2026, to amend the safety plan for its Interoperable Electronic Train Management System. Comments are due November 30, 2026. -
SunRail Signal Waiver Is Open for Comment
Nov 10, 26 12:25 PM
FRA has asked for comment on a petition to extend signal-testing relief on the Central Florida Rail Corridor. The notice names both the corridor and CSXT. Comments run to January 11, 2027. -
Cars and Units Rose With BNSF Third-Quarter Earnings
Nov 10, 26 12:18 PM
Berkshire Hathaway reports that after-tax BNSF earnings increased 19.3 percent in the third quarter of 2026, with car and unit volumes up 3.9 percent. -
Amtrak Chicago Platforms Are Moving Toward Level Boarding
Nov 10, 26 12:13 PM
Amtrak says construction is underway soon on the first level boarding platforms at Chicago Union Station, a 112 million dollar, 30-month project. -
Maryland Has New Penn Line Times on November 16
Nov 10, 26 12:07 PM
MARC Penn Line schedules change on November 16, 2026, after Amtrak trains return to regular schedules. Weekend southbound trains are unchanged. -
Building Contract for Metrolink Sidings Goes to Granite
Nov 10, 26 12:00 PM
Granite says Metrolink awarded a 51.5 million dollar SCORE contract for sidings near downtown Los Angeles and in Rancho Cucamonga. -
EMD "F2" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, History
Nov 10, 26 12:22 AM
EMD F2, the 1,350-horsepower bridge between the FT and the F3. 104 locomotives, July through November 1946. Spotting features, specifications, and the production roster. -
Southern Pacific Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Nov 10, 26 12:08 AM
Southern Pacific diesel roster with builder serials, order numbers, Texas and New Orleans numbers, and the 1965 renumbering. Alco, Baldwin, Fairbanks-Morse, Electro-Motive, General Electric, Krauss-Ma… -
Southern Pacific Steam Roster: Post 1900
Nov 09, 26 11:56 PM
Southern Pacific steam locomotives built since 1900. Pacific Lines, Texas and Louisiana Lines, cab-forwards, the GS 4-8-4s, and five narrow-gauge Ten-Wheelers. The quantity column counts the rows as p… -
Canal Street Yard Assessment Stays Open Through December 7
Nov 09, 26 01:07 PM
The FRA signed the Canal Street Yard environmental assessment on November 6, 2026. Public inspection runs through December 7, and meeting dates are not confirmed. -
NS Legacy Cab-Signal Comments Are Due November 9
Nov 09, 26 01:05 PM
The FRA must receive comments by November 9, 2026, on a Norfolk Southern plan to drop legacy cab signals on 14 line segments and rely on positive train control. -
Elimination Grant of $27.8 Million Reaches Scott Road in Allen County
Nov 09, 26 12:53 PM
Allen County received $27,878,116, also stated as $27.8 million, to design and build a grade separation where Scott Road crosses Norfolk Southern. -
Vermont Receives $60.3 Million for the Western Corridor
Nov 09, 26 12:45 PM
Vermont will receive $60.3 million to rehabilitate about 60 miles of the Western Corridor. The delegation quote also calls the sum $60 million. -
Burlingame Grade Separation Wins a Federal Grant
Nov 09, 26 10:42 AM
Rep. Kevin Mullin said on November 5, 2026 that the FRA awarded $90.4 million for the Caltrain Broadway grade separation in Burlingame. Early work is expected in May 2027. -
Orange County Rail Line Gets a Coastal Permit
Nov 09, 26 10:18 AM
The California Coastal Commission on November 5, 2026 approved a 10-year permit for the San Clemente rail line, including about 690,000 cubic yards of sand. -
Railroad Quiet Zones Are Reinstated in St. Louis
Nov 09, 26 10:14 AM
St. Louis said on November 6, 2026 that the FRA reinstated the city quiet zones. Horns are to stop after railroad systems are updated. -
Southern Pacific Railroad: Map, History, Logo
Nov 08, 26 01:58 PM
The Southern Pacific, from the December 2, 1865 charter and the Big Four to Sprint, the Rio Grande Industries purchase of 1988, and the Union Pacific merger of February 1, 1997. -
California Awards Flexible Rail Aid to Nine Projects
Nov 08, 26 01:15 PM
CalSTA on November 5, 2026 awarded $66.58 million in flexible State Rail Assistance to nine California projects. Each amount in the summary is a cap, printed as up to. -
CSX Leaves Three Days Out of the Weekly Reports
Nov 08, 26 12:02 PM
CSX told the Surface Transportation Board it cannot recover October 27-29 data for the EP 724 and EP 787 reports covering the week ending October 30, 2026. -
NJ Transit Advances Three Station Housing Projects
Nov 08, 26 11:56 AM
NJ Transit on November 5, 2026 advanced station projects in Jersey City, Bound Brook, and Morristown. The three are projected to add more than 1,000 homes. -
River Fox Train Wraps a Locomotive for America 250
Nov 08, 26 11:06 AM
The River Fox Train in West Sacramento wrapped a locomotive with America 250 markings, the American flag, and the Sacramento skyline. The wrap is expected to stay through 2027. -
California Keeps Metrolink Service in the 2027 Budget
Nov 07, 26 11:35 PM
Metrolink says a California State Transportation Agency grant lets the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget keep service at current levels. The board hearing is November 13, 2026. -
WM's 4-6-6-4 Locomotives (M-2): Specs, Roster, History
Nov 07, 26 04:37 PM
Western Maryland class M-2, twelve Baldwin 4-6-6-4s numbered 1201-1212, built in 1940 and 1941 for Hagerstown-Connellsville fast freight. Roster, specifications, and retirement in 1952-1953. -
Missouri Pacific Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Nov 07, 26 04:26 PM
Missouri Pacific diesel roster with builder serials, order numbers, subsidiary lettering, and renumberings. Alco, Baldwin, Electro-Motive, and General Electric. Texas and Pacific locomotives are on th… -
Missouri Pacific Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Nov 07, 26 04:21 PM
Missouri Pacific steam locomotives built since 1900. Drury quantity column 1,439. Sedalia rebuilds counted once, 1,407 frames. Last steam was 0-6-0 9301 in November 1955. -
Missouri Pacific Railroad: Map, Locomotives, Logo, History
Nov 07, 26 04:19 PM
The Missouri Pacific was a large Midwestern that carried a long history of financial difficulty until later years. -
LIRR Service Changes Start on November 9
Nov 07, 26 03:15 PM
New Long Island Rail Road schedules start on every branch on Monday, November 9, 2026. Midday and weekend times change. Rush hour does not. Babylon service returns in stages. -
Draft EA Reviews Norfolk Southern Track in London, Ohio
Nov 07, 26 11:35 AM
The Surface Transportation Board environmental office issued a draft assessment on November 6, 2026, for about 0.96 miles of Norfolk Southern track in London, Ohio. Comments are due November 20. -
Metrolink Lines Will Not Run on Three Routes November 7
Nov 07, 26 10:53 AM
Metrolink will not run the Ventura County, Orange County, or Inland Empire-Orange County lines on November 7 and 8, 2026. The advisory says no substitute transportation will be provided. -
Hartford Line Adds a Weekday Round Trip on November 16
Nov 07, 26 10:48 AM
Connecticut said the Hartford Line adds a weekday New Haven-Hartford round trip on November 16, starts a morning train in Springfield, and extends weekend stops to Windsor and Windsor Locks. -
Board Issues a Policy Statement on Rail Preemption
Nov 07, 26 10:44 AM
The Surface Transportation Board placed a policy statement on public inspection for the November 9 Federal Register. It reviews existing preemption precedent and says it makes no binding determination… -
NJ Transit Restores Lines After the Newark Drawbridge Stop
Nov 07, 26 10:37 AM
NJ Transit said Morris and Essex service between Hackettstown and Dover, and Montclair-Boonton service between Hackettstown and Montclair State University, resumed after the Newark Drawbridge stop. -
EMD "SD35" Locomotives: Data Sheet, Specs, Roster
Nov 06, 26 10:35 PM
EMD SD35, 2,500 horsepower, 16-cylinder 567D3A, built June 1964 through January 1966. 360 locomotives. Specifications and the production roster by owner, serial, and order. -
EMD "SDP35" Locomotives: Data Sheet, Specs, Roster
Nov 06, 26 10:32 PM
EMD SDP35, the steam-generator SD35. 35 locomotives, July 1964 through September 1965. Seaboard Air Line 1100-1119, Atlantic Coast Line 550, Louisville and Nashville 1700-1703, Union Pacific 1400-1409… -
RJ Corman Will Be Replaced on Part of the Luzerne Lines
Nov 06, 26 01:34 PM
A November 6, 2026 notice says Wilkes-Barre Terminal Railway would acquire about 59.65 miles in Luzerne County and replace R.J. Corman as operator on part of the line. The earliest date is November 22… -
NS Names a Student Hub at the University of Georgia
Nov 06, 26 12:03 PM
Norfolk Southern said a 100,000 dollar gift named a student-organization hub in Driftmier Engineering Center. The University of Georgia marked the naming on October 26. The space is for 23 clubs. -
Union Pacific Filed Its Vena Recording Certification
Nov 06, 26 11:56 AM
Union Pacific filed a November 5, 2026 verified statement that the confidential label is off the March 17 Vena recording and that parties of record received a copy at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. -
OmniTRAX Adds Tenants at Its Blue Island Hub
Nov 06, 26 10:26 AM
OmniTRAX has signed new construction-company leases at its 90-acre Blue Island, Illinois, hub and is planning a second phase. -
Veterans and Active-Duty Members Exceed 16 Percent of Norfolk Southern
Nov 06, 26 10:14 AM
Norfolk Southern said on November 5, 2026, that more than 3,000 veterans and active-duty service members are more than 16 percent of its workforce. This year grants are $100,000 and $50,000. -
BNSF: Merger Would Put Half of U.S. Rail Shipments Under One Railroad
Nov 06, 26 10:00 AM
BNSF chief marketing officer Tom G. Williams told customers on November 3, 2026, that a Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger would put about half of U.S. rail shipments under one railroad. Nothing is… -
Amtrak Opens a Winter Fare Sale
Nov 06, 26 09:28 AM
Amtrak opened a Winter Wanderlust sale on November 5, 2026. Book by November 12 for travel from December 1, 2026, through March 14, 2027. Blackout dates apply. Coach and Acela Business only. -
CN and CPKC Report October Grain Records
Nov 06, 26 08:50 AM
CPKC reported October 2026 grain records in Canada and the United States. CN reported 3.54 million metric tonnes across Canada. The releases do not print a combined total. -
New Brunswick Transload Gets CN Rail Service
Nov 06, 26 08:49 AM
CN said on November 4, 2026, that it has started serving AD Gagnon Transload Services near Grand Falls, New Brunswick. The site is three kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway and lists room for 106… -
Together, Freight and Passenger Rail Can Grow, Union Pacific Says
Nov 06, 26 08:47 AM
Union Pacific said on November 5, 2026, that passenger obligations would remain if it combines with Norfolk Southern. The capacity claim is a Union Pacific analysis, not a Surface Transportation Board… -
FM "C-Liner" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, Photos
Nov 05, 26 11:19 PM
Fairbanks-Morse Consolidation Line cab units, the C-Liners. 165 locomotives, Beloit and Kingston, March 1950 through February 1955. Models, specs, and production rosters. -
Atlanta, Birmingham & Coast Railroad: Map, History, Roster
Nov 05, 26 12:03 PM
Atlanta, Birmingham & Coast, from Brunswick and Waycross to Atlanta and Birmingham. Atlantic Coast Line control at the close of 1926. Merged in January 1946 as the Western Division. Steam roster of th… -
El Paso & Southwestern Railroad: Map, History, Logo
Nov 05, 26 12:00 PM
The El Paso & Southwestern, the Phelps Dodge copper railroad from Tucson to the Rock Island at Tucumcari. Southern Pacific control on October 31, 1924.
