American-Rails.com Blog

May 20, The Transfer Locomotive

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:44:29 -0400

The transfer locomotive was a speciality design manufactured during the early diesel era to work between yards pulling cuts of cars. Few were built although some survive today.

May 18, The Ontario Northland Railway

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:16:10 -0400

The Ontario Northland Railway is a government owned and operated system dating to 1902 that connects Moosonee and North Bay. It hosted pasenger trains until 2012.

May 16, The Northern Alberta Railways

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:42:21 -0400

The Northern Alberta Railways was a consolidated system, once jointly owned by CN and CP, that served its home territory. It disappeared into CN in 1981.

May 15, The Pacific Great Eastern Railway

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:01:14 -0400

The Pacific Great Eastern Railway, which became the British Columbia Railway after 1972, was the third largest system in Canada. CN acquired the property in 2004.

May 14, General Motors Diesel

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:52:36 -0400

General Motors Diesel, Ltd. became EMD's Canadian division formed in 1949 with a plant in London, Ontario. It built locomotives until 2012 when new ownership closed the facility.

May 13, The Canadian Locomotive Company

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:57:24 -0400

The Canadian Locomotive Company, or CLC, was a long-time manufacturer dating back to the 19th century. It is best remember as an arm of Fairbanks Morse.

May 11, The HR616, "Draper Taper" Design

Sat, 11 May 2013 21:59:07 -0400

The Draper Taper was exclusively seen in Canada, used only by the Canadian National where it first saw service on Bombardier's HR616.

May 10, The Western Maryland's Connellsville Extension

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:29:31 -0400

The Western Maryland's Connellsville Extension was the unsuccessful dream of then-owner George Gould's attempt at creating the first, true transcontinental railroad during the early 1900s.

May 10, The Montreal Locomotive Works

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:15:30 -0400

The Montreal Locomotive Works, or MLW, was a Canadian manufacturer of locomotives that was acquired by the American Locomotive Company. It ceased production in 1985.

May 8, The Morrison-Knudsen MK5000C

Wed, 8 May 2013 17:52:38 -0400

The MK5000C was a Morrison-Knudsen/MK Rail road-switcher locomotive developed in 1994. When MK succumbed to bankruptcy soon after the project ended with six units produced.

May 8, A History Of Morrison-Knudsen Corporation

Wed, 8 May 2013 10:36:51 -0400

The Morrison-Knudsen Corporation for many years was in the construction and engineering business only entering the railroad industry in the 1970s. It was dissolved in 2000.

May 7, Alco's Blunt Truck

Tue, 7 May 2013 15:17:13 -0400

The Blunt truck was uniquely Alco design, invented by a company engineer and used on its early S series switches. It was discontinued with the introduction of the S3.

May 6, The AAR Type B Truck

Mon, 6 May 2013 16:29:13 -0400

The AAR Type B was a standard truck designed used on several early diesel locomotive models except those built by EMD. They are most closely associated with Alco products.

May 5, The Blomberg Truck

Sun, 5 May 2013 21:58:43 -0400

The Blomberg Truck was created by noted engineer Martin Blomberg during the 1930s. It was so well engineered it remained in production until the 1980s.

May 5, EMD's Flexicoil Truck

Sun, 5 May 2013 11:11:43 -0400

The Flexicoil Truck was a brand of locomotive suspension designed by EMD for use on its switchers and road-switchers. It first appeared on the SD7 and remained in production until the 1980s.

May 3, The Gandy Dancer

Fri, 3 May 2013 21:12:54 -0400

The gandy dancer was a slang term used to describe section gangs, railroad men who performed the physical task of the tracks maintained.

May 2, NYC's M-497 Black Beetle Turbojet Train

Thu, 2 May 2013 21:31:17 -0400

The M-497, otherwise known as the Black Beetle, was an experimental turbojet train tested by the New York Central in 1966. It was scrapped in 1984.

May 2, The Mars Light

Thu, 2 May 2013 14:19:58 -0400

The Mars Light was a safety device developed during the 1930s by Jerry Kennelly that oscillated to warn bystanders.

May 1, Alco's Black Maria, The DL-203-1/2

Wed, 1 May 2013 21:39:36 -0400

The Black Maria was a nickname for Alco's experimental DL-203-1/2 diesel locomotive of the 1940s, which led to the development of the FA and PA models.

May 1, Alco's Model 251 Diesel Engine

Wed, 1 May 2013 14:08:40 -0400

Alco's model 251 prime mover was a diesel engine developed to replace the troublesome 244. It remained in production until the builder closed its doors in the 1960s.

Apr 30, The Electro-Motive 710 Engine

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:46:11 -0400

The EMD model 710 prime mover is the builder's lastest diesel engine powering its locomotives. It has been in production since 1984.

Apr 28, Train Rides By State

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:55:53 -0400

Learn more about train rides here, broken down by state from the Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania to the Grand Canyon Railway in Arizona.

Apr 23, Tunnel Motors, The SD45T-2 And SD40T-2

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:42:14 -0400

Tunnel motors is a term describing the SD45T-2 and later SD40T-2, which were successful variants built in the 1970s for Southern Pacific and Rio Grande in mountainous operations.

Apr 22, Road-Switchers

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:13:08 -0400

Road-switchers are today's form of all-purpose diesels able function as main line power as well as act as switchers. They were first created by Alco in the early 1940s.

Apr 21, Switchers

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:00:27 -0400

Switchers are a type of locomotive that have been around since the steam era designed for yard, transfer, and light freight work.

Apr 15, The Santa Fe's Classic Warbonnet Livery

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:20:54 -0400

One of the most legendary paint schemes to grace a locomotive was the Santa Fe's Warbonnet livery, first applied to the Super Chief in 1937.

Apr 14, The Cow-Calf

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 11:43:29 -0400

The cow-calf was a specific switcher locomotive design released only by Electro-Motive during the 1940s and 1950s for transfer and yard service.

Apr 11, The 2-6-6-4 Wheel Arrangement

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:09:53 -0400

The 2-6-6-4 wheel arrangement was a late era steam locomotive design, and one of the finest Mallets ever built. Four railroads operated them, most notable of which was the N&W's Class A fleet.

Mar 31, The B Unit

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 21:06:01 -0400

The B unit, otherwise known as a booster, was a cabless locomotive that debuted during the early diesel era. Some exampels are still used today.

Mar 24, Slugs And Mates

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:23:46 -0400

Slugs, sometimes referred to as mates or drones, are unpowered units, which work with at least one locomotive to provided added tractive effort and adhesion.

Mar 23, The Norfolk & Western's Jawn Henry

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 21:14:44 -0400

The Norfolk & Western's Jawn Henry was an experimental steam turbine locomotive built in 1954. It proved problematic and troublesome and was scrapped by 1957.

Mar 21, Interurbans And Streetcar Railroads By State

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:56:32 -0400

Here, you can learn about many of the interurbans and streetcar railroads that operated throughout the country, broken down by state.

Mar 20, The Articulated Steam Locomotive

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:46:16 -0400

The articulated steam locomotive was first used on the Baltimore & Ohio and is defined as having its lead set of drivers swivel to more easily negotiate curves.

Mar 17, The Compound Steam Locomotive

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 21:51:05 -0400

The compound steam locomotive was meant to replace the simple expansion design by essentially using steam more efficiently. It was too complicated in many instances and was never widely used.

Mar 17, The Railroad Turntable

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 18:06:45 -0400

The railroad turntable was once an important device found in most terminals to quickly and efficiently turn locomotives. The advent of diesel technology mostly eliminated the structure's need.

Mar 15, Railroad Tell-Tales

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:10:45 -0400

Railroad tell-tales were once a very important device for the safety of brakeman traveling the tops of freight cars. Modern airbrakes ended this practice and the need for the structure.

Mar 13, The Illinois Central's Tulip Viaduct

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:17:15 -0400

The Illinois Central's Tulip Viaduct located in southwestern Indiana was opened in 1906 and connected the company to Indianapolis. Today, it is still used by the Indiana Rail Road.

Mar 12, The Clinchfield Loops

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:10:13 -0400

The Clinchfield Loops, located in North Carolina, were a famous engineering feat in the construction of the Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio Railway to keep its main line at a reasonable grade.

Mar 11, The Santa Fe's Raton Pass

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:24:40 -0400

The Santa Fe's famous Raton Pass, located mostly in New Mexico, was part of the railroad's original main line between Chicago and Los Angeles. It sees little rail traffic today.

Mar 10, The Southern Railway's Rathole Division

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 11:09:31 -0400

The Southern Railway's famous Rathole Division was the 2nd district of its Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific main line, so named for its numerous tunnels and is still used by Norfolk Southern.

Mar 7, The 4-12-2 Union Pacific

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 19:13:31 -0500

The 4-12-2 "Union Pacific" was named for the only railroad which operated the design. The powerful wheel arrangement first entered service in 1926 and remained so until the 1950s.

Mar 6, The 4-10-2 Southern Pacific/Overland

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 19:05:22 -0500

The 4-10-2 "Southern Pacific," otherwise known as the "Overland" on the Union Pacific was a unique design used only by the SP and UP and introduced in 1925. It proved to be rather unsuccessful.

Mar 5, The 2-8-8-0 Consolidation Mallet

Tue, 5 Mar 2013 18:23:28 -0500

The 2-8-8-0 Consolidation Mallet was first put into service by the Santa Fe as an experimentation of a basic Consolidation in 1911. A handful of roads went on to operate their own variations.

Mar 4, The Duplex Drive Steam Locomotive

Mon, 4 Mar 2013 19:24:57 -0500

The Duplex Drive steam locomotive was a curious design made famous through the Pennsylvania Railroad's Class T-1 4-4-4-4s. The diesel era ended further development of the design.

Mar 3, The Triplex Steam Locomotive

Sun, 3 Mar 2013 16:40:45 -0500

The Triplex steam locomotive was a unique design intended to offer maximum tractive effort in slow, drag service. Used by only the Erie and Virginian it proved unsuccesful.

Mar 3, The Belpaire Firebox

Sun, 3 Mar 2013 13:25:44 -0500

The Belpaire Firebox was evented by Alfred Belpaire of Belgium in 1860 who sought to simply locomotive construction and gain while offering a design that offered more power.

Mar 2, The Wootten Firebox

Sat, 2 Mar 2013 10:25:11 -0500

The Wootten Firebox was designed by John Wootten in 1877 to burn low-grade, anthracite coal slag known as culm, which led to the creation of the Mother Hubbard or Camelback locomotive.

Mar 1, Stepehenson's Planet, The First 2-2-0

Fri, 1 Mar 2013 18:33:46 -0500

Robert Stepehenson's Planet was the name applied to an early 2-2-0 steam locomotive the English builder designed in 1830. It was the first to utilize cylinders inside the frame.

Feb 27, Caboose, By Brian Solomon

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:11:20 -0500

Caboose is a book written by famed railroad author Brian Solomon that gives a great history and overview of this interesting and once important car.

Feb 23, The Copper Range Railroad

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:23:32 -0500

The Copper Range Railroad was a shortline owned by the Copper Range Company and established in 1899 to serve several copper mines. It was abandoned in 1972.

Feb 23, SiteBuildIt And Your Success

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:17:00 -0500

SiteBuildIt And Your Success provides information on how American-Rails.com was allowed to be created and provides information on how you can build your own website!

Feb 23, The Cumberland And Pennsylvania Railroad

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:05:58 -0500

The Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad dates to the 1850s that served western Maryland and its many coal mines. Incidently, the C&P became a part of the actual Western Maryland in 1944.

Feb 23, The Lone Tree

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:03:04 -0500

The Lone Tree is a story by Tom Schuppert describing his experiences while on duty with the railroad involving a bad storm and stout tree.

Feb 23, Scrap Iron, Big Foot, And A Nice Day On A Branch Line

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:55:34 -0500

Scrap Iron, Big Foot, and A Nice Day on a Branch Line is a tale by Tom Schuppert describing stories of those he worked with on the railroad and their unique nicknames.

Feb 23, A Memoir Of The C&O And B&O

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:50:41 -0500

As the title describes, read about William Howes, Jr.'s time working on the railroad and his days spent at both the C&O and B&O railroads.

Feb 23, The Night Of The Caboose

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:46:28 -0500

The Night Of The Caboose is a story shared by Thomas Schuppert of his experiences early in his career working for the Burlington Northern in the upper Midwest in the early 1990s.

Feb 23, A Personal Memoir of Tunnel #21

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:41:19 -0500

Read about the days that Earl Scharper spent working on the B&O's Parkersburg Branch during the upgrades it received in the 1960s.

Feb 23, Railroad Experiences, By Owen F. Ireland

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:32:35 -0500

Railroad Experiences are memoirs written by Owen F. Ireland of his days working on the B&O railroad in Ohio beginning in the 1940s.

Feb 23, Reflections Of A Civil War Locomotive Engineer

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:23:20 -0500

Reflections Of A Civil War Locomotive Engineer is a book written by Diana Bailey Harris. It is a fascinating memoir about her late relative John Bailey and his career in the railroad industry.

Feb 23, The Iron Way, By William G. Thomas

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:17:11 -0500

The Iron Way is a book written by William Thomas which explores the topic of railroads during the Civil War and the role they played during the conflict.

Feb 23, The Christmas Train

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 12:34:34 -0500

The Christmas Train is a fictional story about a horrific railroad accident during the 19th century written by Lawrence J. Dumas.

Feb 23, Old Penn Station, By William Low

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 12:28:30 -0500

Old Penn Station is a children's book written and illustrated by William Low that gives a history of New York's grand terminal. It is an excellent piece that has received many awards.