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 17, 2021
Rhode Island Railroads: Map, History, Abandoned Lines
Rhode Island railroads have never played a vitally important role when considering the industry as a whole. Today, nearly 100 miles of the original 200 once found in the state are still in use.
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Jun 15, 2021
"20th Century Limited" (Train): Route, Interior, Consist, Timetable
The 20th Century Limited was the flagship passenger train of the NYC, operating until 1967 (just prior to the Penn Central merger).
Continue reading ""20th Century Limited" (Train): Route, Interior, Consist, Timetable"
Jun 15, 2021
Santa Fe's "Texas Chief" (Train): Consist, Schedule
The Texas Chief was a postwar entrant to Santa Fe's fleet of Chiefs, operating as the only Chicago-Texas streamliner. The train survived until Amtrak.
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Jun 13, 2021
Class 3 Railroads (USA): Statistics, List, Definition
A close-up look at several Class III railroads, or "short lines." These systems are in vastly greater numbers today as Class Is continue to shed trackage.
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Jun 13, 2021
Class I Railroads (USA): Definition, Revenue, Size
In railroad jargon, Class I railroads refer to the largest companies in the industry and all six in North America are highlighted here.
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Jun 13, 2021
Passenger Train Cars (America): Types, History, Old Designs
Covered here are brief overviews of many types of passenger rail cars and what led to their development as train travel improved over time.
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Jun 11, 2021
California Railroads: Map, History, Abandoned Lines
Here you can read about the fascinating history of California railroads, the lines which operated there, and current, present day operations. Also included is a rail mileage chart.
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Jun 11, 2021
"Morning Hiawatha" (Train): Schedule, Timetable, Consist
The Morning Hiawatha was a new, ultra-fast streamliner the Milwaukee Road launched during early 1939 between Chicago and the Twin Cities.
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Jun 11, 2021
New Hampshire Railroads: Map, History, Abandoned Lines
The history of New Hampshire railroads began with the Nashua & Lowell of 1835. Learn more about the lines that still serve the state as well as things to do such as museums and train rides.
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Jun 10, 2021
"Sunset Limited" (Train): Crash, Schedule, Route, Timetable
The Sunset Limited was SP's legendary train serving New Orleans and Los Angeles. It survives today as a prominent train under Amtrak.
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Jun 09, 2021
Polar Express Train Rides (2021): Locations, Dates, Schedules
Looking for official Polar Express train rides in 2020? You can find them all the dates and locations here.
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Jun 09, 2021
Day Out With Thomas (2021): Schedule, Locations, Dates
Here you can find a complete schedule regarding where Thomas The Train/Day Out With Thomas train rides will be operating for the 2021 season.
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Jun 09, 2021
Montana Railroads: Map, History, And Abandoned Lines
Montana railroads have a fascinating history for a state with not a large population. There were once three transcontinental lines traversing its borders and today just one remains.
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Jun 08, 2021
Streetcars (USA): History, Photos, Definition
Streetcars and trolleys have been an integral part of the urban environment since the 19th century. What began as horsepower operations transitioned into electrically operated networks. Learn more about their history here.
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Jun 08, 2021
Minnesota Railroads: Map, History, Abandoned Lines
The history of Minnesota railroads can be traced back to the Minnesota & Pacific Railroad in 1852. During peak years mileage topped out at over 9,000 while today half is still in service.
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Jun 07, 2021
New England States (Train): Tours, Timetable, Consist
The New England States was New York Central's premier Boston-New York train, established in the late 1930s. It survived until 1967.
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Jun 06, 2021
GN's "Western Star" (Train): Schedule, Consist, Timetable
The Western Star was a late arrival, debuting in the early 1950s serving the same route as the Builder as well as tourist to Glacier National Park.
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Jun 05, 2021
Kansas Railroads: Map, History, Abandoned Lines
Located in the heart of America's bread basket, Kansas railroads once operated almost 10,000 miles of trackage with all of the famous Midwestern roads operating there.
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Jun 05, 2021
Santa Fe's "Grand Canyon" (Train): Consist, Schedule, Route
The Grand Canyon was part of Santa Fe's transcontinental fleet between Chicago and Los Angeles, which honored the national park. It was discontinued in 1971
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Jun 05, 2021
Iowa Railroads: Map, History, And Abandoned Lines
Located in the heart of granger country, Iowa railroads once included nearly 10,000 miles of trackage and more than a half-dozen fallen flag lines. Learn more about the state's history here.
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Jun 04, 2021
Illinois Railroads: Map, History, Abandoned Lines
Perhaps more than any other state Illinois railroads include a history like any other. Read about all of the dozens of lines to operate there and what things look like today.
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Jun 04, 2021
Halloween Train Rides By State (2021): A Complete Guide
Visit this page for complete information covering 2018 Halloween-related train rides across the United States, broken down by state.
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Jun 03, 2021
New Haven's "Yankee Clipper" (Train): Timetable, Schedule
The Yankee Clipper was an upscale New Haven passenger train that ran the Shore Line between New York and Boston. A section survived until Amtrak.
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Jun 03, 2021
Fall Foliage Train Rides (2021): A Complete Guide
As the leaves begin to turn fall foliage train rides have become a popular way to see the vibrant colors. Find out where you can find these excursions here in 2020.
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Jun 03, 2021
Seaboard Air Line Railroad: Map, Roster, Timetable, History
Seaboard Air Line's slogan,"Through The Heart Of The South," fit the line well as it connected Virginia, Alabama, and Florida.
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Jun 02, 2021
Short Line Railroad Listings (USA): A Complete Guide
A short line railroad guide that lists nearly all Class III railroads found throughout the country broken down by state.
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Jun 02, 2021
"Chippewa-Hiawatha" (Train): Timetable, Schedule, Consist
The Chippewa-Hiawatha was part of the Milwaukee Road's once vast fleet of Hiawaths serving Chicago and Michigan. The train survived until 1960.
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Jun 02, 2021
Idaho Railroads: Map, History, Abandoned Lines
The history of Idaho railroads is more fascinating than you may think with several classic lines once located there. Today, it is home to a few shortlines and two Class Is.
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Jun 01, 2021
Hawaiian Railroads: History, Map, Narrow-Gauge Lines
Hawaiian railroads feature a history unlike any other state with main lines, plantation branches, and narrow-gauge operations. Read more about the Aloha State's railroads here.
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Jun 01, 2021
Scenic Train Rides (USA): A Complete Guide
Whether you are interested in scenic railroad or tourist train rides, all of that can be found here! The information here covers a wide range of subjects, from different scenic railroads to state-by-state guides.
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Header Photo: Drew Jacksich
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!