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 …
The efficiency, mass-pulling power and speed of steam locomotives advanced materially on March 28, 1925 – the date Lima Locomotive Works #1, a revolutionary 2-8-4 design, began daily road service in western Massachusetts. Designated class A-1-A by its sponsor, the New York Central-controlled Boston & Albany, Lima Locomotive #1 was the first steam locomotive constructed …
Respected and sometimes feared rail executive Louis W. Menk once proclaimed: “You couldn’t make money then, can’t make money now, and won’t make money ever on intercity passenger trains!” Interestingly, Menk was a member of Amtrak’s first Board of Directors. Menk’s beliefs – held by many railroad and business executives – and the loss leader …
Continue reading “Lineage and Legacy of Amtrak Horizon Cars”
Most steam locomotives displayed a face that was a successful blend of functionality and eye-appealing design. And some, well – functionality was the undeniable, overpowering trait. More so after 1920 when mechanical engineers devised different appliances, all designed to improve the performance of the basic steam locomotive designs that dominated the rails. The larger the …
On November 1, 1980 Chessie System and Seaboard Coast Line merged to form the CSX Transportation. Much more than a merger to facilitate correction within the railroad industry, CSX introduced a new chapter of transportation that began when Baltimore businessmen met on February 27th, 1827 and chartered America’s First Railroad, the Baltimore & Ohio. True, …
Continue reading “CSX and recognizing the Mother of American Railroading”
This week we celebrate the merger of the Norfolk & Western and Southern Railway, including the major railroads that were acquired by both in the 20th century, to form transportation giant Norfolk Southern. That mix includes a large portion of the Penn Central Transportation Company (1968-1976) whose downfall triggered the need to revamp the traditional …
Continue reading “Thoroughbred of Transportation – Expanded”
The image of a bright orange and red projectile, with accents of silver and black, still rockets through the minds of many familiar with the iconic Southern Pacific Daylight trains, inaugurated in 1937. The mission of the Daylight-themed trains was to propel the passenger service of the Southern Pacific from dated practice and the depths …
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts and that accurately describes the Union Pacific Railroad of today. The patriotic logo of the Union Pacific was conceived by its management in 1886 to preserve its association with government, since President Abraham Lincoln planned the railroad to unify the nation. It featured specific banners …
Railroading was a mature industry that was showing signs of age-fatigue by 1930. The economic disaster of the Great Depression hit all carriers with a special whammy, more so to marginal carriers that lived day-to-day even in the lush times of 1920s prosperity. The precipitous drop in revenue was intensified by new competition in the …
Our message is basic and sincere: This weekend we take time to honor those who have served our Nation and the greater mission of freedom. Our ancestors knew a good deal about the value of freedom and had a full understanding of the deep sense of responsibility and unselfish public service that that is frequently …