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The Pleasure Dome was Santa Fe's version of the dome car, joining the Super Chief in 1951. Six were ultimately built by Pullman-Standard.
Continue reading "The Pleasure Dome: Accentuating The Super Chief"
The Toledo & Ohio Central was a notable Ohio system that served western parts of Ohio and also reached into West Virginia via a subsidary. It was acquired by the NYC in 1928.
Continue reading "Toledo & Ohio Central Railway: A Future NYC Subsidiary"
The Grand Trunk Railway was a major Canadian/U.S. system that connected Ontario, Quebec, and northern U.S. states. It was acquired by Canadian National inj 1923
Continue reading "Grand Trunk Railway: Connecting Canada And The U.S."
The New York & New England Railroad was an early New England system with a heritage dating back to 1846. It was formed through many smaller lines and became an important component of the New Haven.
Continue reading "New York & New England Railroad: New Haven's Prinicipal Subsidiary"
Great Bend Tunnel is noteworthy as being the longest completed on the Chesapeake & Ohio and the bore the fabled John Henry helped completed.
Continue reading "Great Bend Tunnel: A Historical and Cultural Landmark"
The Kanawha River Railroad, a Watco property, is a 359-mile regional that leases NS's West Virginia Secondary in Ohio and West Virginia, as well as the ex-Virginian.
Continue reading "Kanawha River Railroad: Maintaining The WV Secondary"
Virginia Scenic Railway
Continue reading "Virginia Scenic Railway: Through The Heart Of The Blue Ridge!"
The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum has been maintaining Alabama's rail history since 1962. Today, they also host excursions on nearly 6 miles of track.
Continue reading "Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum: Preserving Alabama’s Rail Heritage"
The Colorado Railroad Museum has preserved the state's rich rail heritage, especially in regards to the narrow-gauge and mining operations, since 1959.
Continue reading "Colorado Railroad Museum: A Nod To Rail History Since 1959"
There are currently just a few train rides in Alabama to choose from. Learn more about them within this guide, as well as the state's railroad museums.
Continue reading "Alabama Scenic Train Rides: A Complete Guide"
The North Alabama Railroad Museum is one of the state's largest focused on preserving the region's rail history. They also offer train rides.
Continue reading "North Alabama Railroad Museum, Preserving Local Rail History"
The Northern Railroad was a small, 19th century system that connected Concord and White River Junction. It was acquired by the Boston & Maine in 1889.
Continue reading "Northern Railroad (NH): A Future B&M Subsidiary "
The Fitchburg Railroad dated back to 1840 and eventually opend a western extension to eastern New York. It opened the Hoosac Tunnel and became an important B&M subsidiary.
Continue reading "Fitchburg Railroad: "The Hoosac Tunnel Route""
The Boston & Lowell was one of New England's earliest systems, formed in 1835. A longtime Boston & Maine rival it was later acquired by the B&M in 1887.
Continue reading "Boston & Lowell Railroad: A Notable B&M Predecessor"
The Coal and Coke Railway was incorporated in 1902 and served the heart of West Virginia connecting Elkins with Charleston. It was acquired by the B&O in 1916.
Continue reading "Coal & Coke Railway: Serving The Heart Of WV"
North Station was one of two notable passenger terminals serving Boston with the other being South Station. It opened by the B&M in 1894 and was demolished in 1926. The site still serves trains today.
This guide includes
Continue reading "Mother's Day Train Rides: A Complete Guide"
The Ohio & Mississippi Railway was an early, mid-19th century system that connected Cincinnati and St. Louis. It was acquired by the Baltimore & Ohio in 1893.
Continue reading "Ohio & Mississippi Railway: B&O's St. Louis Link"
Terminal Station was Atlanta's elegant passenger terminal that served four major railroads from its 1905 opening until it was demolished in 1970.
Continue reading "Terminal Station: Atlanta's Gateway to the South"
Englewood Union Station was once a very busy Chicago facility serving both passengers and commuters. It closed in 1978.
Continue reading "Englewood Union Station: Chicago's Once Bustling Terminal"
The Sun Lounge was a unique solarium railcar developed for the Seaboard Air Line in 1956. It provided a dome-like experience without the raised section due to clearance restrictions.
Continue reading "The Sun Lounge: A Unique Solarium Railcar"
Waterbury Union Station is the city's historic train station that originally opened in 1909. It is best known for its massive 240-foot clock tower.
Continue reading "Waterbury Union Station: An Historical Tapestry"
Louisville Union Station is the city's historic passenger terminal serving the Louisville & Nashville, Monon, and PRR. Today, it serves as offices for Transit Authority of River City.
The Strata-Domes were the first dome cars employed by an eastern railroad when the went into service on the Baltimore & Ohio in 1949. Today, four are preserved.
Continue reading "Strata-Domes: The B&O Introduces Domes In The East"
Portland Union Station was the city's prominent passenger terminal serving the Boston & Maine and Maine Central from 1880-1960. It was demolished in 1961.
Continue reading "Portland Union Station (Maine): Serving Northern New England"
Baltimore Penn Station, formerly Union Station, is a former PRR facility that opened in 1911 and remains in use under Amtrak today.
Continue reading "Baltimore Penn Station: PRR's Historic Terminal"
The Super Domes included a group of ten full length dome cars manufactured by Pullman-Standard for
Continue reading "The Super Domes: Enhancing The "Olympian Hiawatha""
The Vista-Dome kicked off the modern dome car movement, introduced in 1945. The car could often be found on the Great Northern, Northern Pacific and CB&Q. Today, several are preserved.
Continue reading "The Vista-Dome: A Jewel Of Mid-Century Rail Travel"
Dome cars were one of the final specialized car types to be developed and really helped sell many streamliners like the Empire Builder and California Zephyr. They still draw appeal today for riders.
Continue reading "Dome Car (Trains): Offering Unparalleled Views"
Joliet Union Station is located at a major junction point in Illinois and has served passenger trains since 1912. Even today, Amtrak still serves the facility.
Continue reading "Joliet Union Station: Hosting Trains Since 1912"
The Great Domes were Great Northern's elegant passenger cars built between 1953-1955 by the Budd Company for the "Empire Builder."
Portland Union Station is a beautifully preserved rail terminal that has served the Pacific Northwester since 1896. Amtrak still serves the facility today.
Continue reading "Portland Union Station: An Historical Beacon of the Pacific Northwest"
The Baltimore & Ohio's 17-Mile Grade was one of its major mountain crossings along its West End, located roughly 26 miles southwest of Cumberland. It remains in use under CSX.
Continue reading "17-Mile Grade: B&O Tackles The Alleghenies"
The Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis was an early, 251-mile system that linked Peoria and St. Louis. It was sold at foreclosure in 1924.
Continue reading "Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad: Frought with Financial Issues"
The Springfield Union Station of Illinois is an architectural masterpiece that served the city from 1898-1971. Today it is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Continue reading "Springfield Union Station (Illinois): An 1898 Masterpiece"
The latest Springfield Union Station opened in 1926 by the Boston & Albany but also served by the Boston & Maine and New Haven. Amtrak still serves the facility today.
Continue reading "Springfield Union Station: A Tapestry of History and Modernity"
The McKeen Motor Car Company was an early builder of early self-propelled railcars with a unique streamlined designed. 152 examples were ultimately built.
Continue reading "McKeen Motor Car Company: Early Rail Travel Innovation"
Southern Railway #1401 is a 4-6-2 type steam locomotive on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
Continue reading "Southern No. 1401: Elegance At The Smithsonian"
The Texas Electric Railway was the largest interurban in the South, operating 200 miles bewteen Dallas, Dennison, Waco, and Corsicana. Service ended in 1948.
Continue reading "Texas Electric Railway: The South's Largest Interurban"
Indianapolis Union Station is one of the oldest such facilities in the nation, with a history dating back to 1853. Today, it still hosts Amtrak trains.
The Southern Railway was formed through a combination of smaller lines in 1894. In 1982 it helped create today's Norfolk Southern.
Continue reading "Southern Railway, "Serves The South" (USA)"
The American Car & Foundry Company was a major railcar builder that manufactured freight cars, passenger cars, and even streetcars. The name survived until 2019.
Continue reading "American Car & Foundry: Major Railcar Builder"
The S.S. Chief Wawatam was an iconic, long-running coal-fired car ferry serving the Straits of Mackinac between Mackinaw City and St. Ignace from 1911-1984.
Continue reading "S.S. Chief Wawatam: Serving The Straits (1911-1984)"
The S.S. Badger is Lake Michigan's long-running car ferry. What began transporting freight cars for the Chesapeake & Ohio is today a National Historic Landmark.
Continue reading "S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan's Legendary Car Ferry"
The Detroit & Mackinac Railway, better known as "The Turtle Line," served northern Michigan for over a century.
Continue reading "Detroit and Mackinac Railway: "The Turtle Line""
Car ferries were once found in service throughout the U.S., most often traversing bays, harbors, or the Great Lakes. Due to rising costs most were retired by the 1970s.
Continue reading "Car Ferries: A Once Common Railroad Practice"
Savannah Union Station was the city's opulent rail terminal that served multiple railroads from 1902 until 1962.
Continue reading "Savannah Union Station: The City's Elegant Terminal"
The Great East Thompson Train Wreck of 1891 was one of the worst such disasters in American history and one of only two involving four trains.
The parlor car was an early first-class passenger car that appeared in the mid-19th century. They became more widespread during the 20th century but declined after World War II.
Continue reading "The Parlor Car: Providing First-Class Service"
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