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 09, 2023
Michigan Central Railroad
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.
Jun 09, 2023
Maine Central Railroad
The Maine Central Railroad has been serving its home state for 150 years. Today, it is still on paper albeit owned by Pan Am Railways.
Jun 09, 2023
Erie Railroad
The Erie Railroad's earliest history dates back to the 1830s and later in the 19th century as one of the most powerful lines.
Jun 09, 2023
Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad (The "Ma & Pa")
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 and Pennsylvania Railroad (The "Ma & Pa")"
Jun 09, 2023
Tennessee Interurban and Streetcar History
Tennessee contained two interurban systems, as well as a few other local streetcar operations. Learn more about these little electrified lines here.
Continue reading "Tennessee Interurban and Streetcar History"
Jun 09, 2023
Alco "RS3" Locomotives
The RS3 proved to be the builder's bestselling road-switcher by far with some still in service today.
Jun 09, 2023
Interurbans and Trolleys (Trains): Definition and History
A look at interurbans and trolleys in America from state operations to notable car builders and specific companies like the North Shore Line and Pacific Electric.
Continue reading "Interurbans and Trolleys (Trains): Definition and History"
Jun 09, 2023
Rio Grande Railroad (Denver & Rio Grande Western)
The Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) was a legendary western "fallen flag" which battled the Rocky Mountains through Colorado and Utah.
Continue reading "Rio Grande Railroad (Denver & Rio Grande Western)"
Jun 09, 2023
Maine Interurban and Streetcar History
New England contained largely local streetcar systems but there were a few interurbans to serve Maine as well. Learn more about these systems here.
Jun 08, 2023
Long Island Rail Road
The Long Island Rail Road is a historic commuter line that dates as far back as 1832. Today, the company is owned by the MTA.
Jun 08, 2023
Lehigh Valley Railroad
The Lehigh Valley dates as far back as 1853. At its height the anthracite road connected Buffalo with eastern New Jersey.
Jun 08, 2023
Lehigh and New England Railroad
The Lehigh & New England was another Northeastern anthracite coal hauler. An early victim of the times it shutdown in 1961.
Jun 08, 2023
Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad
The Lehigh & Hudson River is remembered as an anthracite coal hauler. In later years it became a successful bridge route.
Jun 08, 2023
Erie Lackawanna Railway
The Erie Lackawanna Railway was formed through the Erie and Lackawanna railroads in 1960.
Jun 08, 2023
Conrail (Train/Railroad)
Conrail, short for the Consolidated Rail Corporation, was a government creation to save the Northeastern rail network in the 1970s.
Jun 08, 2023
Chessie System
The Chessie System was a holding company created in 1972 composed of the B&O, C&O, and Western Maryland.
Jun 08, 2023
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway was a famous southern line that operated from Norfolk to Chicago and through much of Michigan.
Jun 08, 2023
Jersey Central Railroad (CNJ)
The Central Railroad of New Jersey was a classic fallen flag that served its home state and eastern Pennsylvania.
Jun 08, 2023
Central Vermont Railway
The Central Vermont Railway was a small through main route that connected Cantic, Quebec and New London, Connecticut.
Jun 08, 2023
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway is one of North America's oldest Class Is still in operation and the oldest in its home country.
Jun 08, 2023
Alco "RS2" Locomotives
The RS-2 continued the success from the RS1 and led to the bestselling road-switcher of all, the RS3.
Jun 08, 2023
GE "U30B" Locomotives
The U30B followed the earlier U25B and U28B with a slight increase in horsepower.
Jun 08, 2023
New Jersey Halloween Train Rides (2023): A Complete Guide
Find out where you can ride Halloween or autumn-themed train excursions in New Jersey!
Continue reading "New Jersey Halloween Train Rides (2023): A Complete Guide"
Jun 08, 2023
Halloween Train Rides (2023)
Visit this page for complete information covering 2023 Halloween-related train rides across the United States, broken down by state.
Jun 08, 2023
Lackawanna Railroad (Delaware, Lackawanna & Western)
The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western (DL&W) operated from Buffalo to Hoboken, New Jersey and is remembered as another of the classic anthracite lines.
Continue reading "Lackawanna Railroad (Delaware, Lackawanna & Western)"
Jun 07, 2023
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway has been in operation since the World War I era and today remains one of the seven North American Class I systems.
Jun 07, 2023
Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway
The Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway was a regional line once serving central Pennsylvania and western New York. It became part of the B&O in 1932.
Continue reading "Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway"
Jun 07, 2023
Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad
The Buffalo Creek & Gauley Railroad was a classic shortline in the West Virginia hills that is fondly remembered by railfans.
Jun 07, 2023
Boston and Maine Railroad
The Boston & Maine, whose slogan long read "Route Of The Minute Man," was an important New England line for more than 1480 years.
Jun 07, 2023
Boston and Albany Railroad
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.
Jun 07, 2023
Big Four Route Railroad (CCC&StL)
The "Big Four Railroad" was short for the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, a major component of New York Central's Midwestern operations.
Jun 07, 2023
Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad
The Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad has been in service for more than 100 years moving freight primarily related to the steel industry.
Jun 07, 2023
Bangor and Aroostook Railroad
The Bangor & Aroostook served its home state of Maine. Chartered in 1891 it fell into bankruptcy in 2003. Today, remnants of the system are still operated.
Jun 07, 2023
The "Alphabet Route" (Railroad Consortium)
The Alphabet Route, the alternative connection between Chicago/St. Louis and New York/Boston was a marketing tandem of several classic railroads.
Continue reading "The "Alphabet Route" (Railroad Consortium)"
Jun 07, 2023
South Carolina Canal & Rail Road Company
The South Carolina Canal & Rail Road was an early system established in December 1827 and operated the first steam-powered passenger train in the U.S.
Jun 07, 2023
Mohawk and Hudson Railroad
The Mohawk and Hudson was New York State's first chartered railroad, established in April, 1826. It became part of the NYC and is still in operation today.
Jun 07, 2023
Camden and Amboy Railroad
The Camden & Amboy is actually a shortened name for New Jersey's first railroad established, whose charter dated to 1815.
Jun 07, 2023
Delaware and Hudson Railway
The Delaware & Hudson Railway, which began as the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, was a classic carrier that even predated the Baltimore & Ohio.
Jun 07, 2023
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O)
The Baltimore & Ohio, our nation's first common-carrier was one of the three major eastern trunk lines but also the weakest.
Jun 07, 2023
Granite Railway (First American Railroad)
The Granite Railway Company of Massachusetts was, officially, the first chartered railroad in the United States dating to 1826, which actually built and operated a line.
Continue reading "Granite Railway (First American Railroad)"
Jun 07, 2023
Official Guide Of The Railways (PDF)
Found here are several Official Guide of the Railways in PDF format for research purposes.
Jun 07, 2023
Railroads In The 21st Century
Railroads today have changed dramatically since 1980 and deregulation. The industry is as strong as ever.
Jun 07, 2023
Abandoned Railroads: Industrial Decline (1960s-1970s)
The railroad industry during the 1960s and 1970s was a quite somber time as numerous bankruptcies led to abandoned track, takeovers, and some mergers.
Continue reading "Abandoned Railroads: Industrial Decline (1960s-1970s)"
Jun 07, 2023
Railroads In The Postwar (1950s): Facts, Statistics, Photos
The 1950s was not a good decade. While diesel locomotives replaced steam passengers continued to leave and freight also declined as mileage shrank.
Continue reading "Railroads In The Postwar (1950s): Facts, Statistics, Photos"
Jun 07, 2023
Railroads In World War 2 (USA)
Railroads in World War 2 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 07, 2023
Railroads In The 1930s: Streamliners and the Depression
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.
Continue reading "Railroads In The 1930s: Streamliners and the Depression"
Jun 07, 2023
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)"
Jun 07, 2023
Railroads During World War I
Railroads in World War I were nationalized by the federal government in 1917 to maintain fluid operations. They were returned to private ownership in 1920.
Recent Articles
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Michigan Central Railroad
Jun 09, 23 02:38 PM
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. -
Maine Central Railroad
Jun 09, 23 02:37 PM
The Maine Central Railroad has been serving its home state for 150 years. Today, it is still on paper albeit owned by Pan Am Railways. -
Erie Railroad
Jun 09, 23 02:35 PM
The Erie Railroad's earliest history dates back to the 1830s and later in the 19th century as one of the most powerful lines. -
Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad (The "Ma & Pa")
Jun 09, 23 02:30 PM
The Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad, affectionately remembered as the Ma & Pa, served Baltimore and points north. In 1999 it became the York Railway. -
Tennessee Interurban and Streetcar History
Jun 09, 23 02:25 PM
Tennessee contained two interurban systems, as well as a few other local streetcar operations. Learn more about these little electrified lines here.
SteamLocomotive.com
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!