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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …