Deepen your passion for model railroading. Learn about the history of trains and locomotives in the United States dating back over 100 years ago.
In the early 20th Century, US railroads reached their peak of 254,000 route miles. The railroads were the dominant providers of transportation, serving both small industries and large populations in every town and city across the country. This was the era of the great long distance luxury trains, marketed as the most civilized way to …
The Pioneer Era was one of the most exciting periods in railroading history; beginning with the Civil War, transcending the era of the Wild West, and ending in the early 20th century. This was the era when railroading established its supremacy and surpassed waterways, canals and turnpikes dotted with horse-drawn wagons as the undisputed leader …
In 1913 when our founder Benjamin Morris Klein founded our Company on the east side of Baltimore’s commercial district, selling basic hardware items was his primary goal. It was only logical that his product mix promptly changed due to the dominance of railroading in the fabric of Baltimore’s civic and economic culture. The founding of …
In 1827, the Baltimore and Ohio became the first common carrier rail company to operate in the United States. Barley fifty years had passed since the Declaration of Independence was signed, and America was still very much in it’s infancy. Early operations depended on horse-drawn carts for startup operations. Those pioneer railroads had to invent …
ModelTrainStuff is celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Pacific-type locomotive, wheel arrangement 4-6-2! The Pacific dominated high speed passenger service and express freight service in the United States from 1902 through 1950 until steam locomotives surrendered to Diesel-Electric locomotives. The Missouri Pacific was the first US buyer in 1902 and accordingly the 4-6-2 was christened …
Continue reading “120th Anniversary of the Pacific Locomotive”
This month at ModelTrainStuff we’re paying tribute to the founding of America’s first common carrier the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad on February 27th, 1827. The B&O Railroad Museum once issued a poster with the legend “America Grew Up on Trains” and the B&O railroad started our Nation on that glorious journey. The B&O had to …
Continue reading “Founder’s Day – Honoring the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad”
The Chicago and North Western Railway was in many ways the quintessential midwestern railroad. Operating thousands of miles of trackage primarily serving agricultural customers, the company was also known for its high speed intercity passenger services. At its peak, the railroad was ranked as one of the largest owners of total track mileage in the …
Continue reading “The History of the Chicago and North Western Railway”
With predecessors tracing back to 1830, the Pennsylvania Railroad’s legacy is one of the oldest in the United States, and with more than 10,000 miles of track at it’s peak, the PRR is recognized as one of the greatest business enterprises of the 20th century. Let’s explore the history and legacy of what is perhaps …
While not the largest of North American railroads, the Erie Railroad was a significant influence on the economic and social development of the Northeastern United States during the late 1800s and first half of the 20th century, particularly along the Southern Tier of New York State. In this article, we’re looking at the rich history …
Winding its way through rugged mountains, cavernous valleys, thick forests, and miles of untamed wilderness, the Alaska Railroad is truly a one of a kind operation. For railfans though, it’s uniqueness extends well beyond its geography. Establishment of the Alaska Railroad While railroad building was prolific across most of North America during the 1800s, Alaska …