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 …
Hot Water Bottle on Rails
Some called them “Hot Water Bottles” and others called them “Fireless Cookers” but no matter, both nicknames referred to Fireless Locomotives. The process was simple: construct a locomotive that was propelled by superheated water – from a stationary steam plant and piped to the locomotive that had a reservoir – as opposed to a traditional …
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 …
The Most Beautiful Passenger Diesel
To the chagrin of EMD and its followers, that title was bestowed on the ALCO PA passenger diesel by admiring railfans back in 1968. That popularity was largely attributed to the handsome but brutish front-end styling that set those locomotives apart from all other “covered wagon” units that emerged from diesel-builders in the late 1940s. …
The Classic New York Central Hudson
Seldom does a locomotive have a powerful impact on the railroad industry and popular culture. But the Hudson locomotive of the New York Central did just that! It was wildly successful in road service and instantly became the symbol of modern steam design and a cultural icon in the decade it was released – and …
Electric Locomotive of the Future that Closed the Curtain on a Legend
To the Pennsylvania Railroad, it was a long overdue, much needed electric freight locomotive, to its builder General Electric, it was the best designers could field in the way of a bold, new electric locomotive that they hoped would inspire additional orders but end the end, the locomotives closed the curtain on the largest electrification …
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Signature Steam Class on the Standard Railroad of the World
That enduring legacy is bestowed on the PRR class K4s, 4-6-2 locomotive. The K4s was born out of extreme necessity in 1914, when the PRR belatedly confirmed that they had to break with their limiting phobia about adding one extra set of drive wheels to passenger locomotives. Until that time, management steadfastly believed larger 4-4-0 …
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Innovation and Adaptability – Budd RDC
Both attributes in the title are the very reason why RDC cars remain popular with model railroaders and the rail-inclined alike. Budd Company blazed the trail with many new technological innovations that shaped passenger train services in the US between 1934 and 1970. The Rail Diesel Car – RDC – satisfied two voids in passenger …
Amtrak P42DC Locomotives
No doubt about it – the economics of transportation sets the pace for what we see on the rails in terms of technology and frequency, more so in the case of Amtrak. Amtrak was a child born out of necessity 54 years ago. To some it marked the end of the grand era of luxury …
Road Switchers Make the Grade
The diesel-electric revolution started off in a less-than auspicious fashion. Central Railroad of New Jersey, later known as the Jersey Central Lines, acquired what is recognized to be the first “diesel” in daily service – locomotive #1000 – to address smoke abatement concerns at its lower Manhattan freight yard, switching operation. The “switcher” designation reflected …