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.
Aug 12, 2019
Central Railroad of New Jersey
The Central Railroad of New Jersey was a classic fallen flag that served its home state and eastern Pennsylvania. With a heavy dependence on anthracite coal the line went bankrupt in the 1970s.
Aug 12, 2019
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway is one of North America's oldest Class Is still in operation. Like rival CN, it services much of its home country as well as sections of the U.S. through mergers.
Aug 12, 2019
Class I Railroads
In railroad jargon, Class I railroads refer to the largest companies in the industry and all seven in North America are highlighted here.
Aug 09, 2019
Great Northern Railway
The Great Northern Railway was the second company to reach Seattle doing so in 1893. It was part of the James Hill's vast empire. The GN disappeared into Burlington Northern in 1970.
Aug 09, 2019
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad served much of the Midwest and Texas. It helped kickoff the streamliner era in 1934 and was merged unto the Burlington Northern in 1970.
Aug 09, 2019
Milwaukee Road
The Milwaukee Road, whose official name was the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific, was often regarded as the "Route of the Hiawathas." It dates to the mid-19th century and disappeared in 1985.
Aug 05, 2019
Railroad Tycoons
Railroad tycoons were titans of 19th and early 20th century American commerce who laid the foundation of the industry we still in regular service today. Read about several of them here.
Aug 05, 2019
Fallen Flags
Featured here are detailed histories of more than 100 classic railroads, or "fallen flags," from the mighty Pennsylvania Railroad to the small Monon.
Jul 23, 2019
Streamliners, The Classic Passenger Train
Read about many of the most well known streamliners here and why the period of the 1930s to 1960s is often considered the "Silver Age" of rail travel.
Continue reading "Streamliners, The Classic Passenger Train"
Jul 11, 2019
World War II Railroads, The 1940s
Railroads in World War II were critical to winning the conflict and were prepared unlike with the World War I crisis. Unfortunately, the historic traffic numbers declined after the war.
Jun 10, 2019
Railroad History
Interested in learning much more about out nation's railroad history as well who invented the railroad and when? You can do so here, from the earliest years in the 1820s through today.
Jun 10, 2019
Lehigh Valley Railroad
The Lehigh Valley Railroad dates as far back as 1853 and at its height connected Buffalo with eastern New Jersey. The Route of Black Diamond struggled after World War II and became part of Conrail.
May 28, 2019
The 70 Year Train Ride
"The 70 Year Train Ride," published in 2019, is authored by Frank Heppner detailing his life's adventures by rail. These trips were not exclusive to the United States as the professor has traveled around the world riding trains. A fascinating, comical, and engaging story you are sure to enjoy!
May 13, 2019
Union Pacific 4014
Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 is the latest star in the railroad's growing collection of heritage steam locomotives. It returned to active service on May 2, 2019.
May 13, 2019
Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy
The Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 "Big Boy" was designed by Alco and UP's Otto Jabelman to handle freight over the Wasatch Mountains. Today, several still survive.
May 11, 2019
Transcisco Tours: Sierra 49er Express
The Transcisco Tours' "Sierra 49er Express" was a short-lived dinner train running between San Jose, California and Reno, Nevada between 1990-1991.
May 10, 2019
Transcontinental Railroad
The Transcontinental Railroad's completion marked the first time in history the United States offered an efficient mode of transportation from coast-to-coast.
May 03, 2019
New River Train
The New River Train was a seasonal excursion operated nearly every fall through West Virginia's New River Gorge from 1966-2018. Learn more about it here.
May 03, 2019
Boxcars
Boxcars have been an important piece of equipment for the railroad industry since the early days of the 19th century. Today, they are used for more specialized tasks than in years past.
May 02, 2019
Dinner Train Rides 2019
Dinner train rides have become a popular excursions in recent years. Here, you can learn which railroads operate them and when these special trains run in 2019 (some year-round).
Apr 30, 2019
1930s Railroads, The Streamliner Era
Railroads in the 1930s saw a huge push to get passengers back to the rails through the introduction of the streamliner in 1934 on the UP and Burlington.
Apr 25, 2019
Horseshoe Curve
Pennsylvania Railroad's Horseshoe Curve is likely the most famous railroad engineering feat ever accomplished. Read about its history, construction, and use today by Norfolk Southern.
Apr 23, 2019
Short Line Railroad Guide
A short line railroad guide that lists nearly all Class III railroads found throughout the country broken down by state.
Apr 23, 2019
Rocky Mountaineer
The Rocky Mountaineer is North America's most popular tourist train, offering upscale accommodations through the Canadian Rockies.
Apr 15, 2019
American Orient Express
The American Orient Express was an ultra-luxurious private passenger train that operated from 1994 until 2008 in conjunction with Amtrak. It featured different routes for maximum scenic views; unfortunately, the 2007 recession forced its closure the following year.
Apr 15, 2019
John Bull Locomotive
The John Bull was a British steam locomotive built for use on the Camden & Amboy in 1831. Today, it is preserved at the Smithsonian Institution and still in operable condition.
Apr 11, 2019
United States Railroad Administration (USRA)
The United States Railroad Administration (USRA) oversaw operation of the nation's rail network during World War I. Provided here is a brief history.
Continue reading "United States Railroad Administration (USRA)"
Apr 07, 2019
Easter Train Rides, 2019 Schedule And Dates
Provided here is a list of museums and tourist railroads that offer Easter train rides, including schedules and dates in 2019.
Continue reading "Easter Train Rides, 2019 Schedule And Dates"
Apr 05, 2019
Empire Builder
The Empire Builder was Great Northern's flagship train between Chicago and Seattle that began service in 1929. It survives today under Amtrak.
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