Southbound from Milwaukee, Amtrak E9 No. 434 makes its way into Chicago Union Station in 1975. The locomotive is former Milwaukee Road, rebuilt at its Milwaukee Shops. Today, Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service provides seven weekday roundtrips between the Cream City and Windy City. Paul Hoffmann photo […]
Illinois Central 4-8-2 No. 2606 speeds south with freight CN-3 near Monee, Ill., in June 1953. The tabletop landscape provides for wide-open views, and, often, throttles. Robert R. Malinoski photo […]
Two Canadian Pacific Geeps switch several 40-foot grain boxcars at the wooden Alberta Wheat Pool elevators at Lomond, Alberta, in April 1974. Boxcars were common on western Canadian lines into the 1980s. A. J. Sutherland photo […]
In June 1955, Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1498, built in 1923, shoves two empty hoppers toward a mine near Barrett, W.Va., for loading. W.A. Akin Jr. photo […]
In general terms, America is not a country with great affinity for nationalization. The machinations of the American economy are diametrically opposed to the principles of nationalization. However, that doesn’t mean that the U.S. has never dabbled in the practice. The United States Railroad Administration (USRA) is an example. In the interest of clarity, I’ll […]
Three Delaware, Lackawanna & Western F3s power the Twilight at Morristown, N.J., in the early 1950s. The railroad had 71 FT and F3 units. Homer R. Hill photo […]
The eastbound Southern Pacific Sunset Limited approaches the Memorial Tunnel at El Paso, Texas, on March 15, 1952. Born in 1894, the Sunset had received its latest upgrade in 1950. Classic Trains collection […]
When mourners gather Thursday for services at the Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Auburn, Calif., it will mark a special occasion for anyone associated with the once-upon-a-time Southern Pacific Railroad: a moment to appreciate a true SP hero, James C. Mahon, known from Sacramento to San Antonio as “The Bear.” Railroaders in charge […]
A tank car begins its descent from the crest of the hump at Union Pacific’s North Plate, Neb., hump yard. The mast atop the hump control tower is for radio communication with switch engines. Wallace W. Abbey photo […]
St. Paul (Minn.) Union Depot Co. 0-6-0 No. 6 passes track workers in October 1954. The locomotive was relegated to standby duty in the 1950s by the arrival of GE 44-ton No. 441 in 1941. John Thill photo […]
Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis class L-1 2-8-2 No. 619 rolls into Dickson, Tenn., before World War II. After nearly 60 years of control, the Louisville & Nashville merged the NC&StL on August 30, 1957. Louisville & Nashville photo […]
The silver and gold bonanza of the late 19th Century led to a boom in narrow gauge railroad startups across Colorado. But out of the plethora that’ve come and gone, which left an impact in the Centennial State and sparked our enthusiasm to visit what’s left today? Let’s find out by reminiscing about five prolific […]
