Creating American-Rails.com
Last revised: May 6, 2023
Upon clicking to this page you might be wondering, “Okay, Adam, and what does this have to do with railroading, or anything related to American Rails at all?!” Well, and this may sound a bit confusing, but to be honest, everything and nothing.
Yes, of course this topic is nothing directly related to American Rails, at least as far as content is concerned.
However, if it were not for this service called SoloBuildIt! (also known as Sitesell or SBI) there is absolutely no way that I could bring you American-Rails.com or have even developed this website, not to mention the fact of being able to do something that I thoroughly enjoy.
I guess the best way to go about this is to just start from the beginning and tell you how American Rails came about.
Yes, you may have already heard me talk about how the site came together but I guess this is more of the “reason” and “why."
During the early fall/late summer of 2005 I had been out of college for a few months and was still, for the most part, at a loss as to what I really wanted to do with my life, at least as far as a career was concerned.
Yes, I had earned my degree in a field I was interested in and from a highly respected institution.
However, I still just did not know what I wanted to do, except that I knew I wanted it to be something that I very much enjoyed, brought a sense of self-accomplishment, and lastly earned a little money as well.
Back in the spring of that year I had also helped put together another website.
Although it was just a hobby/freelance project I very much enjoyed working on it (and still do today). As I continued working on it, the idea of having my own website business began to grow on me and by the late summer of that year I began looking more seriously into the idea.
If owning and developing your own site is either something you are interested in doing for a living or as a means of making a little extra income during these tough economic times, you probably very well know that after just a bit of research there are literally hundreds of websites out there.
Many of these are “get rich quick” schemes and claim that you can earn thousands of dollars in a single month or that they give you all of the tools you need to run a successful Internet home business, which most of the time turns out to be a half-truth at best.
Well, needless to say I tried a few of these sites and quickly learned that the amount of work required (something which they never tell you and more about it later) was just so overbearing and astronomical that not only was the pay-off not worth it but also the enjoyment was no longer there as well.
And, on top of everything already mentioned, I certainly did not “get rich quick.” (The unfortunate truth behind many of those services is that someone else is making the money at your expense.)
As I continued to look around I found a few home business sites that were better but still not exactly what I was interested in, and to be honest I was becoming a bit burned out on the idea and not sure I even wanted to continue pursuing it.
Then, somewhere along the line I stumbled upon information regarding Sitesell and figured at this point, what could it hurt at least learning more about it?
As I read more about the service it was sort like that proverbial ton of bricks hitting you, Sitesell was it.
Recent Articles
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Virginia 'Dinner Train' Rides At Staunton
Jun 01, 26 12:11 PM
If you’ve ever wished you could pair a classic scenic train ride with a genuinely satisfying meal—served at your table while the countryside rolls by—the Virginia Scenic Railway was built for you. -
Oregon 'Dinner Train' Rides At Hood River
Jun 01, 26 12:06 PM
The Mt. Hood Railroad is the moving part of that postcard—a century-old short line that began as a working railroad. -
Maryland 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides
Jun 01, 26 11:58 AM
This article delves into the enchanting world of wine tasting train experiences in Maryland, providing a detailed exploration of their offerings, history, and allure. -
Indiana 'Whiskey Tasting' Train Rides
Jun 01, 26 11:50 AM
Among IRE’s most talked-about offerings is the Wine & Whiskey Train—an adults-only, evening-style trip that leans into the best parts of classic rail travel: atmosphere, comfort, and a little… -
Maryland 'Dinner Train' Rides At Cumberland
Jun 01, 26 11:44 AM
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) has become one of the Mid-Atlantic’s signature heritage operations—equal parts mountain railroad, living museum, and “special-occasion” night out. -
Massachusetts 'Dinner Train' Rides At Cape Cod
Jun 01, 26 11:43 AM
The Cape Cod Central Railroad (CCCR) has carved out a special niche by pairing classic New England scenery with old-school hospitality, including some of the best-known dining train experiences in the… -
Rhode Island 'Dinner Train' Rides In Portsmouth
Jun 01, 26 11:41 AM
Despite its small size, Rhode Island is home to one popular dinner train experience where guests can enjoy the breathtaking views of Aquidneck Island. -
Maine 'Dinner Train' Rides At Portland
Jun 01, 26 11:38 AM
While this isn’t generally a “dinner train” railroad in the traditional sense—no multi-course meal served en route—Maine Narrow Gauge does offer several popular ride experiences where food and drink a… -
Atlantic Coast Line Diesel Roster (All-Time)
May 31, 26 11:47 AM
The Atlantic Coast Line was an early pioneer in dieselization, acquiring its first diesel locomotives in 1939 and completing the transition from steam by the mid-1950s. -
New Hampshire - Murder Mystery - Dinner Train Rides
May 31, 26 11:27 AM
The state's murder mystery trains stand out as a captivating blend of theatrical drama, exquisite dining, and scenic rail travel. -
New York - Murder Mystery - Dinner Train Rides
May 31, 26 11:25 AM
New York State, renowned for its vibrant cities and verdant countryside, offers a plethora of activities for locals and tourists alike, including murder mystery train rides! -
Pennsylvania 'Murder Mystery' Dinner Train Rides
May 31, 26 11:23 AM
Pennsylvania, steeped in history and industrial heritage, offers a prime setting for a unique blend of dining and drama: the murder mystery dinner train ride. -
New Jersey 'Murder Mystery' Dinner Train Rides
May 31, 26 11:18 AM
There are currently no murder mystery dinner trains available in New Jersey although until 2023 the Cape May Seashore Lines offered this event. Perhaps they will again soon! -
Colorado 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides
May 31, 26 11:14 AM
To truly savor these local flavors while soaking in the scenic beauty of Colorado, the concept of wine tasting trains has emerged, offering both locals and tourists a luxurious and immersive indulgenc… -
Georgia 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides In Cordele
May 31, 26 11:03 AM
While the railroad offers a range of themed trips throughout the year, one of its most crowd-pleasing special events is the Wine & Cheese Train—a short, scenic round trip designed to feel like a tasti… -
Iowa 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides
May 31, 26 10:55 AM
The state not only boasts a burgeoning wine industry but also offers unique experiences such as wine by rail aboard the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad. -
Arizona 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides
May 31, 26 10:47 AM
For those who want to experience the charm of Arizona's wine scene while embracing the romance of rail travel, wine tasting train rides offer a memorable journey through the state's picturesque landsc… -
Atlantic Coast Line Steam Roster (Post 1900)
May 31, 26 10:43 AM
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL), operating primarily over the relatively flat terrain of the Southeast from Virginia to Florida and Alabama, built a steam roster emphasizing versatile, efficien… -
Norfolk & Western 611 Debuts In "America250" Livery
May 30, 26 11:19 PM
The Virginia Museum of Transportation has announced that Class J No. 611 will receive a temporary special red, white, and blue livery in celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary. -
Boston & Maine Diesel Roster (All-Time)
May 30, 26 03:08 PM
The Boston & Maine Railroad pioneered dieselization in the Northeast, beginning in the 1930s and completing the transition by the mid-1950s. -
Boston & Maine Steam Roster (Post 1900)
May 30, 26 02:52 PM
The Boston & Maine Railroad (B&M) operated one of New England’s most varied steam locomotive rosters from the late 19th century until the mid-1950s. -
Ohio 'Whiskey Tasting' Train Rides
May 30, 26 11:57 AM
LM&M's Bourbon Train stands out as one of the most distinctive ways to enjoy a relaxing evening out in southwest Ohio: a scenic heritage train ride paired with curated bourbon samples and onboard refr… -
Washington 'Whiskey Tasting' Train Rides
May 30, 26 11:56 AM
Climb aboard the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad for a whiskey tasting adventure by train!" -
Texas 'Murder Mystery' Dinner Train Rides
May 30, 26 11:54 AM
Here’s a comprehensive look into the world of murder mystery dinner trains in Texas. -
Arkansas 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides
May 30, 26 11:51 AM
This article takes you through the experience of wine tasting train rides in Arkansas, highlighting their offerings, routes, and the delightful blend of history, scenery, and flavor that makes them so… -
California 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides
May 30, 26 11:48 AM
This article explores the charm, routes, and offerings of these unique wine tasting trains that traverse California’s picturesque landscapes. -
Wisconsin 'Wine Tasting' Train Rides
May 30, 26 11:44 AM
Wisconsin might not be the first state that comes to mind when one thinks of wine, but this scenic region is increasingly gaining recognition for its unique offerings in viticulture. -
Bessemer & Lake Erie Diesel Roster (All Time)
May 30, 26 11:40 AM
The Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad (B&LE) transitioned to diesel power efficiently, completing full dieselization in 1953 thanks to its focused heavy-haul profile. -
Bessemer & Lake Erie Steam Roster (Post 1900)
May 30, 26 11:30 AM
The Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad (B&LE), the vital iron ore and coal hauler linking Lake Erie docks at Conneaut, Ohio, to Pittsburgh-area steel mills, operated one of the most specialized steam fleet… -
Bangor & Aroostook Steam Roster (Post 1900)
May 29, 26 11:48 PM
The Bangor & Aroostook Railroad (BAR), Maine’s legendary potato and paper hauler stretching deep into the Aroostook County wilderness, relied on a compact yet hardworking steam fleet for much of its i… -
Bangor & Aroostook Diesel Roster (All Time)
May 29, 26 11:33 PM
BAR prioritized Electro-Motive Division (EMD) products for their reliability in harsh northern Maine winters and on light branch lines, resulting in a roster heavy on versatile road switchers. -
Western Pacific Timetables (August, 1952)
May 29, 26 10:09 PM
These timetables capture the Western Pacific in the final golden years of its passenger operations—offering travelers one last chance to enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Feather River Route in comfor… -
Maine 'Dinner Train' Rides At Portland
May 29, 26 12:04 PM
While this isn’t generally a “dinner train” railroad in the traditional sense—no multi-course meal served en route—Maine Narrow Gauge does offer several popular ride experiences where food and drink a…
