Watch Those Drivers Roll! The Santa Fe Class 3460 Hudson

One could convincingly argue that the Santa Fe represented best practice in American railroading and was the ultimate in mobile ambience in the period 1930 – 1960. The SF had a direct route from Chicago to Los Angeles and the railroads signature trains, clad in gleaming stainless steel, were the preferred conveyance of the kings …

 

Great Steam! The Southern Pacific GS Daylight Locomotives

The image remains brilliant – the streamliner with the visual impact of a bright orange and red projectile, with accents of silver and black, that still rockets through the minds of those familiar with the Southern Pacific Daylight trains. Inaugurated on March 21, 1937, that memorable image of the streamliner at speed was the product …

 

Setting the Standards for Steel Passenger Cars

Several years ago, Broadway Limited Imports released what is regarded to be the most accurate and fully detailed model of the famous Pennsylvania Railroad class P-70 passenger coach. That basic car was produced in several paint schemes to reflect different eras of PRR painting practice with details adjusted to match accordingly. BLI choose well since …

 

Aerodynamics Briefly Resurfaces

Railroad technology underscores the fact that change is unrelenting. The velocity of change made a quantum leap forward in the 1930s with the perfection of the diesel-electric locomotive for road service. Despite the readily apparent efficiency, early diesel locomotives were modest in size and were housed in retrogressive-looking, boxy car bodies that were not inspiring …

 

Mail by Rail

Although “snail mail” gets no respect – its journey over time by rail does. Despite contemporary critics, amplified by attitudes in the information age, the United States Postal Service was one of the many stellar achievements of our pioneer Nation. The ability to effectively and efficiently exchange correspondence was the foundation of interstate commerce and …