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.

Jun 09, 2023

Michigan Central Railroad

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The Michigan Central was a 1,700-mile system which served much of Michigan and Buffalo via southern Ontario. It became part of the New York Central.

Continue reading "Michigan Central Railroad"

Jun 09, 2023

Maine Central Railroad

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The Maine Central Railroad has been serving its home state for 150 years. Today, it is still on paper albeit owned by Pan Am Railways.

Continue reading "Maine Central Railroad"

Jun 09, 2023

Erie Railroad

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The Erie Railroad's earliest history dates back to the 1830s and later in the 19th century as one of the most powerful lines.

Continue reading "Erie Railroad"

Jun 09, 2023

Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad (The "Ma & Pa")

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The Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad, affectionately remembered as the Ma & Pa, served Baltimore and points north. In 1999 it became the York Railway.

Continue reading "Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad (The "Ma & Pa")"

Jun 09, 2023

Tennessee Interurban and Streetcar History

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Tennessee contained two interurban systems, as well as a few other local streetcar operations. Learn more about these little electrified lines here.

Continue reading "Tennessee Interurban and Streetcar History"

Jun 09, 2023

Alco "RS3" Locomotives

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The RS3 proved to be the builder's bestselling road-switcher by far with some still in service today.

Continue reading "Alco "RS3" Locomotives"

Jun 09, 2023

Interurbans and Trolleys (Trains): Definition and History

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A look at interurbans and trolleys in America from state operations to notable car builders and specific companies like the North Shore Line and Pacific Electric.

Continue reading "Interurbans and Trolleys (Trains): Definition and History"

Jun 09, 2023

Rio Grande Railroad (Denver & Rio Grande Western)

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The Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) was a legendary western "fallen flag" which battled the Rocky Mountains through Colorado and Utah.

Continue reading "Rio Grande Railroad (Denver & Rio Grande Western)"

Jun 09, 2023

Maine Interurban and Streetcar History

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New England contained largely local streetcar systems but there were a few interurbans to serve Maine as well. Learn more about these systems here.

Continue reading "Maine Interurban and Streetcar History"

Jun 08, 2023

Long Island Rail Road

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The Long Island Rail Road is a historic commuter line that dates as far back as 1832. Today, the company is owned by the MTA.

Continue reading "Long Island Rail Road"

Jun 08, 2023

Lehigh Valley Railroad

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The Lehigh Valley dates as far back as 1853. At its height the anthracite road connected Buffalo with eastern New Jersey.

Continue reading "Lehigh Valley Railroad"

Jun 08, 2023

Lehigh and New England Railroad

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The Lehigh & New England was another Northeastern anthracite coal hauler. An early victim of the times it shutdown in 1961.

Continue reading "Lehigh and New England Railroad"

Jun 08, 2023

Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad

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The Lehigh & Hudson River is remembered as an anthracite coal hauler. In later years it became a successful bridge route.

Continue reading "Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad"

Jun 08, 2023

Erie Lackawanna Railway

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The Erie Lackawanna Railway was formed through the Erie and Lackawanna railroads in 1960.

Continue reading "Erie Lackawanna Railway"

Jun 08, 2023

Conrail (Train/Railroad)

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Conrail, short for the Consolidated Rail Corporation, was a government creation to save the Northeastern rail network in the 1970s.

Continue reading "Conrail (Train/Railroad)"

Jun 08, 2023

Chessie System

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The Chessie System was a holding company created in 1972 composed of the B&O, C&O, and Western Maryland.

Continue reading "Chessie System"

Jun 08, 2023

Chesapeake and Ohio Railway

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The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway was a famous southern line that operated from Norfolk to Chicago and through much of Michigan.

Continue reading "Chesapeake and Ohio Railway"

Jun 08, 2023

Jersey Central Railroad (CNJ)

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The Central Railroad of New Jersey was a classic fallen flag that served its home state and eastern Pennsylvania.

Continue reading "Jersey Central Railroad (CNJ)"

Jun 08, 2023

Central Vermont Railway

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The Central Vermont Railway was a small through main route that connected Cantic, Quebec and New London, Connecticut.

Continue reading "Central Vermont Railway"

Jun 08, 2023

Canadian Pacific Railway

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The Canadian Pacific Railway is one of North America's oldest Class Is still in operation and the oldest in its home country.

Continue reading "Canadian Pacific Railway"

Jun 08, 2023

Alco "RS2" Locomotives

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The RS-2 continued the success from the RS1 and led to the bestselling road-switcher of all, the RS3.

Continue reading "Alco "RS2" Locomotives"

Jun 08, 2023

GE "U30B" Locomotives

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The U30B followed the earlier U25B and U28B with a slight increase in horsepower.

Continue reading "GE "U30B" Locomotives"

Jun 08, 2023

New Jersey Halloween Train Rides (2023): A Complete Guide

Find out where you can ride Halloween or autumn-themed train excursions in New Jersey!

Continue reading "New Jersey Halloween Train Rides (2023): A Complete Guide"

Jun 08, 2023

Halloween Train Rides (2023)

Visit this page for complete information covering 2023 Halloween-related train rides across the United States, broken down by state.

Continue reading "Halloween Train Rides (2023)"

Jun 08, 2023

Lackawanna Railroad (Delaware, Lackawanna & Western)

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The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western (DL&W) operated from Buffalo to Hoboken, New Jersey and is remembered as another of the classic anthracite lines.

Continue reading "Lackawanna Railroad (Delaware, Lackawanna & Western)"

Jun 07, 2023

Canadian National Railway

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The Canadian National Railway has been in operation since the World War I era and today remains one of the seven North American Class I systems.

Continue reading "Canadian National Railway"

Jun 07, 2023

Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway

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The Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway was a regional line once serving central Pennsylvania and western New York. It became part of the B&O in 1932.

Continue reading "Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway"

Jun 07, 2023

Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad

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The Buffalo Creek & Gauley Railroad was a classic shortline in the West Virginia hills that is fondly remembered by railfans.

Continue reading "Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad"

Jun 07, 2023

Boston and Maine Railroad

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The Boston & Maine, whose slogan long read "Route Of The Minute Man," was an important New England line for more than 1480 years.

Continue reading "Boston and Maine Railroad"

Jun 07, 2023

Boston and Albany Railroad

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The Boston & Albany, with a heritage dating as far back as 1831, became an integral part of the New York Central offering direct service to Boston.

Continue reading "Boston and Albany Railroad"

Jun 07, 2023

Big Four Route Railroad (CCC&StL)

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The "Big Four Railroad" was short for the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, a major component of New York Central's Midwestern operations.

Continue reading "Big Four Route Railroad (CCC&StL)"

Jun 07, 2023

Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad

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The Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad has been in service for more than 100 years moving freight primarily related to the steel industry.

Continue reading "Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad"

Jun 07, 2023

Bangor and Aroostook Railroad

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The Bangor & Aroostook served its home state of Maine. Chartered in 1891 it fell into bankruptcy in 2003. Today, remnants of the system are still operated.

Continue reading "Bangor and Aroostook Railroad"

Jun 07, 2023

The "Alphabet Route" (Railroad Consortium)

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The Alphabet Route, the alternative connection between Chicago/St. Louis and New York/Boston was a marketing tandem of several classic railroads.

Continue reading "The "Alphabet Route" (Railroad Consortium)"

Jun 07, 2023

South Carolina Canal & Rail Road Company

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The South Carolina Canal & Rail Road was an early system established in December 1827 and operated the first steam-powered passenger train in the U.S.

Continue reading "South Carolina Canal & Rail Road Company"

Jun 07, 2023

Mohawk and Hudson Railroad

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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"

Jun 07, 2023

Camden and Amboy Railroad

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The Camden & Amboy is actually a shortened name for New Jersey's first railroad established, whose charter dated to 1815.

Continue reading "Camden and Amboy Railroad"

Jun 07, 2023

Delaware and Hudson Railway

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The Delaware & Hudson Railway, which began as the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, was a classic carrier that even predated the Baltimore & Ohio.

Continue reading "Delaware and Hudson Railway"

Jun 07, 2023

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O)

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The Baltimore & Ohio, our nation's first common-carrier was one of the three major eastern trunk lines but also the weakest.

Continue reading "Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O)"

Jun 07, 2023

Granite Railway (First American Railroad)

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The Granite Railway Company of Massachusetts was, officially, the first chartered railroad in the United States dating to 1826, which actually built and operated a line.

Continue reading "Granite Railway (First American Railroad)"

Jun 07, 2023

Official Guide Of The Railways (PDF)

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Found here are several Official Guide of the Railways in PDF format for research purposes.

Continue reading "Official Guide Of The Railways (PDF)"

Jun 07, 2023

Railroads In The 21st Century

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Railroads today have changed dramatically since 1980 and deregulation. The industry is as strong as ever.

Continue reading "Railroads In The 21st Century"

Jun 07, 2023

Abandoned Railroads: Industrial Decline (1960s-1970s)

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The railroad industry during the 1960s and 1970s was a quite somber time as numerous bankruptcies led to abandoned track, takeovers, and some mergers.

Continue reading "Abandoned Railroads: Industrial Decline (1960s-1970s)"

Jun 07, 2023

Railroads In The Postwar (1950s): Facts, Statistics, Photos

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The 1950s was not a good decade. While diesel locomotives replaced steam passengers continued to leave and freight also declined as mileage shrank.

Continue reading "Railroads In The Postwar (1950s): Facts, Statistics, Photos"

Jun 07, 2023

Railroads In World War 2 (USA)

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Railroads in World War 2 were critical to winning the conflict and were prepared unlike with the World War I crisis. Unfortunately, the historic traffic numbers declined after the war.

Continue reading "Railroads In World War 2 (USA)"

Jun 07, 2023

Railroads In The 1930s: Streamliners and the Depression

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Railroads in the 1930s saw a huge push to get passengers back to the rails through the introduction of the streamliner in 1934 on the UP and Burlington.

Continue reading "Railroads In The 1930s: Streamliners and the Depression"

Jun 07, 2023

United States Railroad Administration (USRA)

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The United States Railroad Administration (USRA) oversaw operation of the nation's rail network during World War I. Provided here is a brief history.

Continue reading "United States Railroad Administration (USRA)"

Jun 07, 2023

Railroads During World War I

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Railroads in World War I were nationalized by the federal government in 1917 to maintain fluid operations. They were returned to private ownership in 1920.

Continue reading "Railroads During World War I"

Jun 07, 2023

Railroads In The U.S. (1910's)

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Railroads during the 1910s, the period from 1910-1920, was a pivotal time witnessing record mileage and federal takeover during World War I.

Continue reading "Railroads In The U.S. (1910's)"

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Recent Articles

  1. Michigan Central Railroad

    Jun 09, 23 02:38 PM

    789102942856559265253465286989078.jpg
    The Michigan Central was a 1,700-mile system which served much of Michigan and Buffalo via southern Ontario. It became part of the New York Central.

    Read More

  2. Maine Central Railroad

    Jun 09, 23 02:37 PM

    9203592735277267289029790.jpg
    The Maine Central Railroad has been serving its home state for 150 years. Today, it is still on paper albeit owned by Pan Am Railways.

    Read More

  3. Erie Railroad

    Jun 09, 23 02:35 PM

    um20bhs71839051819485.jpg
    The Erie Railroad's earliest history dates back to the 1830s and later in the 19th century as one of the most powerful lines.

    Read More

  4. Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad (The "Ma & Pa")

    Jun 09, 23 02:30 PM

    6742009904230958esxbf898711110039wiwo.jpg
    The Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad, affectionately remembered as the Ma & Pa, served Baltimore and points north. In 1999 it became the York Railway.

    Read More

  5. Tennessee Interurban and Streetcar History

    Jun 09, 23 02:25 PM

    19571975198679269378938.jpg
    Tennessee contained two interurban systems, as well as a few other local streetcar operations. Learn more about these little electrified lines here.

    Read More


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!