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.
Oct 25, 2021
Missouri Pacific Railroad: Map, Logo, Roster, Timetables
The Missouri Pacific was a large Midwestern that carried a long history of financial difficulty until later years.
Continue reading "Missouri Pacific Railroad: Map, Logo, Roster, Timetables"
Oct 24, 2021
GE "C44-9W" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Production Roster
The C44-9W essentially left EMD behind in the diesel locomotive market. Once again General Electric had a winner as the model sold thousands.
Continue reading "GE "C44-9W" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Production Roster"
Oct 24, 2021
Nickel Plate Road (Railroad): Map, Logo, Roster, Timetables
The New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, better known as the "Nickel Plate Road," was a profitable Midwestern acquired by Norfolk & Western in 1964.
Continue reading "Nickel Plate Road (Railroad): Map, Logo, Roster, Timetables"
Oct 23, 2021
GE "AC4400CW" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Production Roster
The AC4400CW ushered in the era of high horsepower, alternating current diesel locomotives. It was highly successful with more than 2,500 built.
Continue reading "GE "AC4400CW" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Production Roster"
Oct 23, 2021
GE "C40-8" And "C40-8W" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Roster
The C40-8, C40-8W and variants were released around 1990 and continued the company's success from the Dash 7 line with nearly 2,000 units sold.
Continue reading "GE "C40-8" And "C40-8W" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Roster"
Oct 23, 2021
Monon Railroad: Map, Logo, History, Photos, Locomotive Roster
The Monon Railroad (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville Railway) was an Indiana institution whose moniker, "The Hoosier Line," suited it well.
Continue reading "Monon Railroad: Map, Logo, History, Photos, Locomotive Roster"
Oct 23, 2021
GE "C40-9" and "C40-9W" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Roster
The C40-9 and C40-9W continued the builder's dominance during the 1990s, which only continued with the C44-9W.
Continue reading "GE "C40-9" and "C40-9W" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Roster"
Oct 21, 2021
Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern Railway: Roster, Map, History
The Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern began as an interurban and transitioned into a successful belt line.
Continue reading "Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern Railway: Roster, Map, History"
Oct 20, 2021
GE "B32-8" And "Dash 8-32BWH" Locomotives: Specs, Roster
The B32-8, released during the 1980's, was an early Dash 8 model that sold very poorly. However, later models further cemented GE as the industry leader.
Continue reading "GE "B32-8" And "Dash 8-32BWH" Locomotives: Specs, Roster"
Oct 20, 2021
Minneapolis & St Louis Railway: Map, History, Photos, Logo
The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway, known as the "Peoria Gateway," served the Twin Cities and upper Midwest. It was purchased by the C&NW in 1960.
Continue reading "Minneapolis & St Louis Railway: Map, History, Photos, Logo"
Oct 19, 2021
Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad: Map, Roster, History
The Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad dates back to 1892 and has always served northern Michigan and primarily focused on the movement of ore.
Continue reading "Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad: Map, Roster, History"
Oct 18, 2021
GE "C39-8" and "C39-8E" Locomotives: Specs, Photos, Roster
The C39-8 was an early Dash 8 line that had trouble finding sales although its immediate successor was far more successful.
Continue reading "GE "C39-8" and "C39-8E" Locomotives: Specs, Photos, Roster"
Oct 18, 2021
Ohio Railroad Stations (Historic): Past & Present (List)
The information presented here details Ohio's historic railroad stations which still survive along with pertinent research information.
Continue reading "Ohio Railroad Stations (Historic): Past & Present (List)"
Oct 18, 2021
Kansas City Southern Railway: Map, Logo, History, Timetables
The Kansas City Southern is the smallest Class I in terms of size and net earnings, carrying a history dating back to 1890.
Continue reading "Kansas City Southern Railway: Map, Logo, History, Timetables"
Oct 17, 2021
Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad: Map, Roster, History, Timetable
The Indiana Harbor Belt is a historic terminal line with a heritage dating back to 1896. Today, IHB continues to operate after more than a century of service.
Continue reading "Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad: Map, Roster, History, Timetable"
Oct 16, 2021
Illinois Central Railroad: Map, Logo, History, Timetables
The Illinois Central whose slogan was the "Main Line of Mid-America" ran from Chicago to New Orleans on an odd north-south main line.
Continue reading "Illinois Central Railroad: Map, Logo, History, Timetables"
Oct 15, 2021
GE "B40-8" and "B40-8W" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Roster
The B40-8/W came in standard and wide-cab versions. Offering 4,000 horsepower and cataloged in the late 1980s the model saw few sales.
Continue reading "GE "B40-8" and "B40-8W" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Roster"
Oct 15, 2021
GE "B39-8" and "B39-8E" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Roster
The B39-8 was of the final and very powerful four-axle road-switchers the company produced during the mid-1980s.
Continue reading "GE "B39-8" and "B39-8E" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Roster"
Oct 15, 2021
Grand Trunk Western Railroad: Map, Logo, History, Roster
The Grand Trunk Western was a corporation created by parent Canadian National in 1928 to operate its U.S. properties. The GTW remains a CN subsidiary today.
Continue reading "Grand Trunk Western Railroad: Map, Logo, History, Roster"
Oct 14, 2021
Green Bay & Western Railroad: Map, Roster, Photos, Timetable
The Green Bay & Western was a classic regional that served its home state of Wisconsin. It operated from 1866-1992.
Continue reading "Green Bay & Western Railroad: Map, Roster, Photos, Timetable"
Oct 13, 2021
Gateway Western Railway: Map, History, Locomotive Roster
The Gateway Western Railway is a former Class II, regional line which connected Kansas City and St. Louis. It was purchased by the KCS in 1997.
Continue reading "Gateway Western Railway: Map, History, Locomotive Roster"
Oct 12, 2021
GE "Super 7" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Production Roster
The Super-7 series was a rebuild of predecessor General Electric models like the Universal line during the early 1990s.
Continue reading "GE "Super 7" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Production Roster"
Oct 12, 2021
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway: Map, Locomotive Roster
The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern was the largest terminal carrier to serve Chicago, connecting with all major railroads. Today, its part of Canadian National.
Continue reading "Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway: Map, Locomotive Roster"
Oct 11, 2021
Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific Railway: Map, Roster, History
The Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway was a northern Minnesota railroad that today is a part of the Canadian National system.
Continue reading "Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific Railway: Map, Roster, History"
Oct 10, 2021
GE "C36-7" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Production Roster
The C36-7 followed the C30-7 in the late 1970s. While not as popular as EMD's SD40-2 or even its earlier counterpart it still saw some success.
Continue reading "GE "C36-7" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Production Roster"
Oct 10, 2021
GE "B30-7" And "B30-7A" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Roster
The B30-7 was a second-generation version of the U30B that featured improved technologies like early microprocessors.
Continue reading "GE "B30-7" And "B30-7A" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Roster"
Oct 10, 2021
Detroit & Mackinac Railway: Map, Locomotive Roster, Photos
The Detroit & Mackinac Railway, better known as "The Turtle Line," served northern Michigan for over a century.
Continue reading "Detroit & Mackinac Railway: Map, Locomotive Roster, Photos"
Oct 09, 2021
Belt Railway Of Chicago: Map, Roster, Logo, Photos, History
The Belt Railway Of Chicago has been in service for nearly 140 years and remains an important switching road in the Windy City.
Continue reading "Belt Railway Of Chicago: Map, Roster, Logo, Photos, History"
Oct 08, 2021
Chicago Great Western Railway: Map, Roster, Photos, Logo
The venerable Chicago Great Western Railway operated across the upper Midwest serving Chicago, the Twin Cities, and Kansas City.
Continue reading "Chicago Great Western Railway: Map, Roster, Photos, Logo"
Oct 07, 2021
South Shore Line Railroad: Schedule, Map, Trains, Posters, Roster
The South Shore Line, officially known as the Chicago, South Shore and South Bend Railroad, was another famed Windy City interurban, and the most successful.
Continue reading "South Shore Line Railroad: Schedule, Map, Trains, Posters, Roster"
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!