Memorial Day 2024

This weekend, we respectfully take time to honor those who have given their lives for our nation and the greater mission of freedom. The value of freedom is often obscured in a world full of disconnects, let alone the full understanding of the human sacrifice that has frequently been necessary in our history to preserve …

The Last Spike

To those faithful to the rails, May 10th, 1869, will always be remembered for the Driving of the Golden Spike. Countless articles, books, and an epic motion picture have been produced, all celebrating that milestone in U.S. and transportation history. Contemporary trends have altered the concept of popular history, and national focus has shifted to …

The Winning Loser – Pennsylvania Railroad Class S-2

Pennsylvania Railroad Class S-2 It was positioned to forecast modern railroad motive power and to remind the world that the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) had not lost its way. It also gave steam locomotive builders and coal mining interests promise that their respective markets would not be decimated by the new Diesel-Electric locomotives that showed early …

Second Section – Trains of the Summer

Our theme this month includes the legend “second section”. Seasoned railroaders know that symbolized traffic that was so heavy that another section of a schedule train was required to handle crowds. Those crowds normally peaked during traditional holidays but became more a part of “standard operations” during summer months.  Railroads themselves started early on promotions …

A Tribute to Rail Transport in Great Britain

This month we pay a special tribute to the railroads of Great Britain. Just as Britain influenced colonial America, they too influenced the development of railroad transportation in the US. England holds claim to the earliest experiments with railroads and practical application of steam locomotives. In 1802, Richard Trevithick designed and built the first (unnamed) steam locomotive to run …

Honoring Canadian Railroads

Canadian Railroads have always attracted special interest due in part to their expansiveness and diversity of routes and services within. Commanding scenery and scores of specialized and well-maintained locomotives and cars brought color, drama and financial success to that great stage of transportation. The first railway in Canada was the Champlain and Saint Lawrence Railroad. It …