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.
The SD50 was first produced in 1981 and the model proved to be the builder's downfall as it was plagued with engine and microprocessor problems.
Continue reading "EMD "SD50" Locomotives: Data, Photos, History & More"
Read about the history of Arizona railroads, the state's rail mileage over the years, its present-day relationship with trains, and much more.
Continue reading "Arizona Railroads: Map, History, Abandoned Lines"
The SP's Lark was its overnight streamlined, all-Pullman train running between Los Angeles and Oakland. It was discontinued in April, 1968.
Continue reading "Southern Pacific's "Lark" (Train): Consist, Schedule, Route"
The Daylight was Southern Pacific first in an entire fleet of trains sporting a two-tone orange livery. It began in 1939 between San Francisco-Los Angeles.
Continue reading "Southern Pacific's "Daylight" (Train): Consist, Locomotives"
The Imperial was a secondary Southern Pacific train that for many years operated between Los Angeles and Chicago by way of California's Imperial Valley. Remaining service ceased in 1967.
Continue reading "Southern Pacific's "Imperial" (Train): Consist, Schedule"
Lima Locomotive Works was the smallest of the three major steam locomotive builders but nevertheless outshopped quality products such as large Mallets and geared Shays.
Continue reading "Lima Locomotive Works: Location, Factory, Demolition"
The SW1000 was a second-generation switcher model that used an updated prime mover and slightly different carbody.
Continue reading "EMD "SW1000" Locomotives: Specifications, Photos, Roster"
The SW1001 replaced the SW1000 to correct a design flaw with the carbody, which was not compatible in industrial settings.
Continue reading "EMD "SW1001" Locomotives: Specifications, Photos, Roster"
The Chessie was the Chesapeake & Ohio's still-born, luxurious all-coach train to serve the Washington, D.C. - Cincinnati corridor.
Continue reading "C&O's "The Chessie" Passenger Train (Streamliner)"
The B&O's Metropolitan Special played clean-up duty serving many intermediate stops between St. Louis and New York. It survived until Amtrak in 1971.
Continue reading "B&O's "Metropolitan Special" (Train): Timetable, Consist, Route"
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 & Albany Railroad: Map, History, Photos"
The recently rebuilt Virginia & Truckee Railroad is a historic company that once helped with Nevada's Comstock Lode and today visitors can ride the line.
Continue reading "Virginia & Truckee Railroad: Locomotives, History, Roster"
The Transcontinental Railroad's completion marked the first time in history the United States offered an efficient mode of transportation from coast-to-coast.
Continue reading "Transcontinental Railroad: Map, Completion, Definition, Facts"
Pennsylvania Station was one of the most breathtaking structures ever built in this country. It opened in 1910 and was razed in the 1960s, replaced by Madison Square Garden.
Continue reading "Pennsylvania Station (NYC): Old, Demolition, Photos, History"
The RS36 was the last four-axle road switcher the manufacturer ever built. Learn where you can find preserved units today.
Continue reading "Alco "RS36" Locomotives: Data Sheet, Roster, Photos"
The DS-4-4-1000 was one of the Baldwin's most successful diesel models it every produced, replacing the earlier VO-1000 in 1946.
Continue reading "Baldwin "DS-4-4-1000" Locomotives: Specs, Photos, Roster"
The SW900 began a new numbering designation for EMD's switcher line. This particular model was relatively successful.
Continue reading "EMD "SW900" Locomotives: Specifications, Photos, Roster"
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 & Pennsylvania Railroad: Map, Roster, Photos"
The AS416 was one of Baldwin's final four-axle road-switchers. It sold very poorly although a few of these rare units remain preserved today.
Continue reading "Baldwin "AS-416" Locomotives: Specs, Photos, Roster"
The Dakota 400 was a late addition to the C&NW's fleet of 400s, inaugurated in 1950. Serving South Dakota, it was discontinued in 1963 as rail patronage declined.
Continue reading "C&NW's "Dakota 400" (Train): Timetable, Schedule, Consist"
Southern Pacific's San Joaquin Daylight operated the same routing as the original, between San Francisco and Oakland, debuting in 1941.
Continue reading ""San Joaquin Daylight" (Train): Consist, Schedule, Photos"
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: Map, Logo, Timetables, History"
The SW8 produced in 1950 followed the SW7. Virtually identical, the SW8 was less powerful and utilized an upgraded version of the model 567 prime mover.
Continue reading "EMD "SW8" Locomotives: Specifications, Photos, Roster"
Looking for official Polar Express train rides in 2022? You can find them all the dates and locations here.
Continue reading "Polar Express Train Rides (2022): Locations, Dates, Schedules"
The AB6 was a unique version of its E6 design that utilized a cabless B unit , which was retrofitted as an A for use on the Rock Island's Rocky Mountain Rocket.
Continue reading "EMD "AB6" Locomotives (Rock Island): Specs, Photos, Roster"
The SW9 was built at the same time as the SW8 and, likely due to its increased horsepower, saw very nice sales that neared 1,000 units.
Continue reading "EMD "SW9" Locomotives: Specifications, Photos, Roster"
Union Pacific 3985 is a 4-6-6-4 Challenger steam locomotive owned by Union Pacific and part of its historic steam program. It operated from 1981-2010.
Continue reading "Union Pacific #3985: Top Speed, Status, Schedule, Whistle"
The Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee was another of Chicago's well remembered interurbans.
Continue reading "North Shore Line Railroad: Map, Schedule, Abandonment"
The Owl was a secondary, overnight Southern Pacific train serving the San Francisco/Oakland to Los Angeles corridor. It was launched in the late 19th century and discontinued during the 1960s.
Continue reading "Southern Pacific's "Owl" (Train): Consist, Schedule, Route"
The Morning Hiawatha was a new, ultra-fast streamliner the Milwaukee Road launched during early 1939 between Chicago and the Twin Cities.
Continue reading ""Morning Hiawatha" (Train): Schedule, Timetable, Consist"
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!