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.
Dec 05, 2021
"Cow-Calf" Switcher Locomotives: Specs, Data, Roster
The cow-calf was a specific switcher locomotive design released only by Electro-Motive during the 1940s and 1950s for transfer and yard service.
Continue reading ""Cow-Calf" Switcher Locomotives: Specs, Data, Roster"
Dec 05, 2021
GE/Wabtec "ET44AC" And "ET44C4" Locomotives: Specs, Roster
GE's ET44AC was its final production model before the company's transportation division was sold to Wabtec. It remains in production today.
Continue reading "GE/Wabtec "ET44AC" And "ET44C4" Locomotives: Specs, Roster"
Dec 05, 2021
EMC SC, SW, NC, NW Switcher Locomotives: Specs, Roster
Early EMC switchers of the late 1930s established a locomotive that became wildly successful in years later under General Motors management.
Continue reading "EMC SC, SW, NC, NW Switcher Locomotives: Specs, Roster"
Dec 05, 2021
Louisville & Nashville's "Georgian" (Train): Schedule, Consist
The Georgian helped inaugurate L&N's entrance into the streamliner era in 1946 running between Chicago and Atlanta.
Continue reading "Louisville & Nashville's "Georgian" (Train): Schedule, Consist"
Dec 03, 2021
C&NW's "Dakota 400" (Train): Timetable, Schedule, Consist
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"
Dec 02, 2021
"Birmingham Special" (Train): Schedule, Timetable, Consist
The Birmingham Special was often regarded as one of the Southern's top-tier trains connecting Washington with Birmingham, Alabama. It survied as a named train until 1970.
Continue reading ""Birmingham Special" (Train): Schedule, Timetable, Consist"
Dec 01, 2021
"Sunset Limited" (Train): Schedule, Route, Timetable, Crash
The Sunset Limited was SP's legendary train serving New Orleans and Los Angeles. It survives today as a prominent train under Amtrak.
Continue reading ""Sunset Limited" (Train): Schedule, Route, Timetable, Crash"
Nov 30, 2021
ACL's "Everglades" (Train): Timetable, Schedule, Consist
The Everglades was another secondary Atlantic Coast Line service running the East Coast between Washington and Jacksonville. It survived until Amtrak.
Continue reading "ACL's "Everglades" (Train): Timetable, Schedule, Consist"
Nov 29, 2021
Transcontinental Railroad: Map, Completion, Definition, Facts
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"
Nov 29, 2021
Erie Lackawanna Railway: Map, Roster, Logo, Photos
The Erie Lackawanna Railway was formed through the Erie and Lackawanna railroads in 1960.
Continue reading "Erie Lackawanna Railway: Map, Roster, Logo, Photos"
Nov 28, 2021
NYC's "Ohio State Limited" (Train): Timetable, Route, Consist
The Ohio State Limited was New York Central's top train between New York and Cincinnati established in the 1920s. It was discontinued in 1967.
Continue reading "NYC's "Ohio State Limited" (Train): Timetable, Route, Consist"
Nov 26, 2021
NYC's "Mercury" (Train): Interior, 4-6-2, Lounge, Timetable
New York Central's Mercury was NYC's entry into the streamliner market. Debuting in June, 1936 it used rebuilt heavyweight cars and a 4-6-2 locomotive.
Continue reading "NYC's "Mercury" (Train): Interior, 4-6-2, Lounge, Timetable"
Nov 26, 2021
"Afternoon Hiawatha" (Train): Route, History, Schedule, Logo
The Afternoon Hiawatha was Milwaukee Road's original Hiawatha, renamed in the late 1930s when an additional train was launched.
Continue reading ""Afternoon Hiawatha" (Train): Route, History, Schedule, Logo"
Nov 24, 2021
GE "Evolution Series" Locomotives: Data, History, Photos
The Evolution Series was General Electric's latest diesel line which met EPA Tier 2 emission requirements. It is now produced by Wabtec Freight.
Continue reading "GE "Evolution Series" Locomotives: Data, History, Photos"
Nov 24, 2021
GE "ES44AC" Locomotives: Specs, Data, Production Roster
GE's "ES44AC" was the company's successor to its successful AC4400CW line. It met EPA Tier II standards and sold more than 3,000 examples.
Continue reading "GE "ES44AC" Locomotives: Specs, Data, Production Roster"
Nov 24, 2021
Alco "RS2" Locomotives: Roster, History, Horsepower, Specs
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: Roster, History, Horsepower, Specs"
Nov 24, 2021
GE "AC6000CW" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Production Roster
The AC6000CW was the pinnacle of high-horsepower locomotives in the mid-1990s.
Continue reading "GE "AC6000CW" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Production Roster"
Nov 23, 2021
GE "ES40DC" Locomotives: Specs, Data, Production Roster
GE's "ES40DC" was a 4,000 horsepower variant of its successful ES44AC line and built exclusively for Norfolk Southern.
Continue reading "GE "ES40DC" Locomotives: Specs, Data, Production Roster"
Nov 23, 2021
GE "ES44C4" Locomotives: Specs, Tractive Effort, Roster
The ES44C4 was an A1A-A1A road-switcher built exclusively for BNSF Railway as part of GE's Evolution Series. More than 1,000 were built between 2009-2015.
Continue reading "GE "ES44C4" Locomotives: Specs, Tractive Effort, Roster"
Nov 23, 2021
Union Pacific's M-10000 Streamliner: Lounge, Interior, Photos
The M-10000 was officially the first streamliner ever when it was introduced in February, 1934 developed by Pullman and powered by the Winton Engine Company.
Continue reading "Union Pacific's M-10000 Streamliner: Lounge, Interior, Photos"
Nov 22, 2021
New Mexico Scenic Train Rides: A Complete Guide
Only two New Mexico train rides are open to the public although one is the incredibly successful and picturesque Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.
Continue reading "New Mexico Scenic Train Rides: A Complete Guide"
Nov 21, 2021
GE "ES44DC" Locomotives: Specs, Data, Production Roster
The ES44DC was the DC traction version of GE's successful AC traction line (ES44AC). It was the final such model offered, selling 1,149 examples.
Continue reading "GE "ES44DC" Locomotives: Specs, Data, Production Roster"
Nov 21, 2021
Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Diesel Locomotive Roster, All-Time
A complete history of the Baltimore & Ohio's diesel locomotive roster. The B&O rostered examples from every major builder.
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Nov 21, 2021
Fallen Flag Railroads: Photos, Logos, And Histories
Featured here are detailed histories of more than 100 classic railroads, or "fallen flags," from the mighty Pennsylvania Railroad to the small Monon.
Continue reading "Fallen Flag Railroads: Photos, Logos, And Histories"
Nov 20, 2021
NS Heritage Units: List, Photos, And Background
Norfolk Southern's Heritage Program was launched in 2012 promoting 20 authentic paint schemes on its locomotives of by-gone railroads.
Continue reading "NS Heritage Units: List, Photos, And Background"
Nov 19, 2021
C&O 2-6-6-2 #1309 Locomotive: Status, Completion, Overview
Chesapeake & Ohio #1309 is a 2-6-6-2 compound Mallet built by Baldwin in 1949 for coal service. It is slated for restoration and operation.
Continue reading "C&O 2-6-6-2 #1309 Locomotive: Status, Completion, Overview"
Nov 19, 2021
Milwaukee Road's "Arrow" (Train): Timetable, Schedule, Route
The Arrow was a secondary Milwaukee Road train serving Chicago and Omaha/Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Launched in the 192s it survived until 1967.
Continue reading "Milwaukee Road's "Arrow" (Train): Timetable, Schedule, Route"
Nov 18, 2021
Alco "RSD-1" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, Pictures, History
The RSD-1, the original six-axle road-switcher that came about due to a need by the U.S. Army.
Continue reading "Alco "RSD-1" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, Pictures, History"
Nov 17, 2021
"North Woods Hiawatha" (Train): Consist, Timetable, Route
The North Woods Hiawatha was a secondary Milwaukee Road train serving northern Wisconsin. Launched in 1937 it lost its name in 1956.
Continue reading ""North Woods Hiawatha" (Train): Consist, Timetable, Route"
Nov 16, 2021
"Olympian Hiawatha" (Train): Consist, Schedule, Route, Timetable
The Olympian Hiawatha was Milwaukee Road's home-built streamliner that connected Chicago and Seattle debuting in 1947. It was canceled in 1961
Continue reading ""Olympian Hiawatha" (Train): Consist, Schedule, Route, Timetable"
SteamLocomotive.com
Wes Barris's SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource in the study of steam locomotives.
The amount of information found there is quite staggering; historical backgrounds of wheel arrangements, types used by virtually every railroad, preserved and operational examples, and even those used in other countries (North America and beyond).
It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at this website. It is a must visit!
Researching Rights-Of-Way
A popular pastime for many is studying and/or exploring abandoned rights-of-way.
Today, there are tens of thousands of miles scattered throughout the country. Many were pulled up in the 1970's and 1980's although others were removed long before that.
If you are researching active or abandoned corridors you might want to check out the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Historical Topographic Map Explorer.
It is an excellent resource with thousands of historic maps on file throughout the country. Just type in a town or city and click on the timeline of maps at the bottom of the page!