American-Rails.com Blog
Here is your one-stop shop for learning about all of the newest additions or changes happening at American-Rails.com. Listed below is every page that is either new or which was updated within the last few days. Simply click on the link "Continue Reading..." under each heading to visit the page in question. With new articles added on a regular basis be sure and either check back here often or subscribe to the website's RSS feed to keep up with the latest.
Jan 26, 2025
Wheeling Traction Company: Serving Northern WV
The Wheeling Traction Company was one of two major interurbans to serve West Virginia, operating in the Northern Panhandle between Weirton-Wheeling.
Continue reading "Wheeling Traction Company: Serving Northern WV"
Jan 26, 2025
Monongahela West Penn Public Service Company
The Monongahela West Penn was the largest interurban in the state of West Virginia, owning nearly 100 miles along two disconnected divisions between Clarksburg and Parkersburg.
Continue reading "Monongahela West Penn Public Service Company"
Jan 26, 2025
The Wellington Avalanche: A Tragic Chapter In Railroad History
The Wellington Avalanche was the deadliest such disaster in the U.S. and one of the worst railroad accidents of all time resulting in 96 deaths in 1910.
Continue reading "The Wellington Avalanche: A Tragic Chapter In Railroad History"
Jan 26, 2025
Evolution of Subways: An Historical Overview
Subways have been a part of the American landscape since the late 19th century. This article briefly highlights the subject and their impact on urban transportation.
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Jan 26, 2025
TEXRail: Pioneering Public Transit in the Dallas-Fort Worth Region
TEXRail is a hybrid commutr rail system serving the Dallas-Fort Worth region via a 27 mile network that began service in 2018.
Continue reading "TEXRail: Pioneering Public Transit in the Dallas-Fort Worth Region"
Jan 25, 2025
Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railway
The Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railway was an advanced, well-built interurban that provided both cities and the nation's capital with high-speed service. The system was abandoned in 1935.
Continue reading "Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railway"
Jan 24, 2025
Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Co.: "Red Arrow Lines"
The Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company, better known as the "Red Arrow Lines" was the city's largest interurban system. It began in 1899 and converted to buses in the early 1960s.
Continue reading "Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Co.: "Red Arrow Lines""
Jan 24, 2025
Toronto Transit Commission: Since 1921
The Toronto Transit Commission is one of Canada's oldest and most extensive rapid transit systems; operating since 1921 its heritage can be traced back to the 19th century.
Jan 24, 2025
Brightline Florida: America's Bright Future in Rail Travel
Brightline Florida was the nation's first new privately operated passenger rail service in decades. Launched in
Continue reading "Brightline Florida: America's Bright Future in Rail Travel"
Jan 24, 2025
Revitalizing the Rails: Engineering and Technological Advancements
In the modern 21st century railroads have greatly advanced in the areas of microprocessors, computers, signaling, and efficiency. This article briefly highlights the subject.
Continue reading "Revitalizing the Rails: Engineering and Technological Advancements"
Jan 24, 2025
CT Rail: Connecticut DOT's Commuter System
CT Rail is Connecticut DOT's commuter system has been in service since 1990 and currently hosts nearly 1.5 million riders annually.
Continue reading "CT Rail: Connecticut DOT's Commuter System"
Jan 24, 2025
Pittsburgh Railways: The Steel City's Prosperous Streetcar Line
The Pittsburgh Railways was one of the largest and most successful streetcar systems in the nation that also operated two interurban lines. Today, just two of its lines remain.
Continue reading "Pittsburgh Railways: The Steel City's Prosperous Streetcar Line"
Jan 23, 2025
Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad: Connecting the Heartland
The Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern has been in operation since 2014, acquiring the western end of the western end of the former Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern from Canadian Pacific.
Continue reading "Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad: Connecting the Heartland"
Jan 22, 2025
Tracking Green: Environmental Benefits of Rail vs. Air and Road Travel
No other mode of transportration is more efficient than railroads. This article briefly discusses why trains can handle freight and passengers so much more efficiently.
Continue reading "Tracking Green: Environmental Benefits of Rail vs. Air and Road Travel"
Jan 22, 2025
WeGo Star: Nashville's Commuter Rail System
The WeGo Star, formerly the Music City Star, is Nashville's commuter rail system, has been in operation since 2006 and handles more than 100,000 riders annually.
Continue reading "WeGo Star: Nashville's Commuter Rail System"
Jan 22, 2025
Passenger Trains: Sustainable Travel and Environmental Friendly
Passengers have always been an efficient mode of transportation. This article briefly highlights the hows and whys while also discussing the future of rail travel.
Continue reading "Passenger Trains: Sustainable Travel and Environmental Friendly"
Jan 22, 2025
Urban Rail Expansion: New Projects On The Horizon
This article briefly looks at urban rail projects either under construction or in the planning stages at various cities throughout the country.
Continue reading "Urban Rail Expansion: New Projects On The Horizon"
Jan 21, 2025
Louisville and Indiana Railroad: Maintaining The PRR In The Midwest
The Louisville & Indiana operates 106 miles of the former PRR's main line between Indianapolis and Louisville. The short line has been in operation since 1994.
Continue reading "Louisville and Indiana Railroad: Maintaining The PRR In The Midwest"
Jan 21, 2025
SunRail: Connecting The Greater Orlando Region
SunRail was launched in 2014 to provide commuter rail service within the greater Orlando, Florida region operating over CSX tracks. It currently hosts more than 1 million riders annually.
Continue reading "SunRail: Connecting The Greater Orlando Region"
Jan 21, 2025
Future of Passenger Trains: Trends, Innovations, Evolution
This article briefly discusses some of the potential future technological advancements in passenger trail travel across the U.S.
Continue reading "Future of Passenger Trains: Trends, Innovations, Evolution"
Jan 20, 2025
New England Central Railroad: Maintaining The CV
The New England Central has been in operation since 1995 operating most of the old Central Vermont Railway. Today, it is a Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary.
Continue reading "New England Central Railroad: Maintaining The CV"
Jan 20, 2025
Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad: PRR's Michigan Link
The Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad was a longtime subsidiary of the PRR, offering the system a connection to northern Michigan. Much of the system is abandoned today.
Continue reading "Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad: PRR's Michigan Link"
Jan 20, 2025
Great Lakes Central Railroad: Preserving Service In Michigan
The Great Lakes Central Railroad has been in operation since 2006 and currently operates roughly 420 miles of trackage throughout central and northern Michigan.
Continue reading "Great Lakes Central Railroad: Preserving Service In Michigan"
Jan 20, 2025
Hyperloop: The Future of Transportation
The hyperloop, originally theorized by Elon Musk, is a planned system which utilizes pods traveling through low-pressure tubes at nearly the speed of sound.
Jan 20, 2025
The Raleigh-to-Richmond 'S' Line: Rebuilding A Vital Corridor
The 'S' Line project intends to reconnect Raleigh to Richmond by rail via the Seaboard Air Line's former main line abandoned under CSX during the 1980s.
Continue reading "The Raleigh-to-Richmond 'S' Line: Rebuilding A Vital Corridor"
Jan 20, 2025
Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf Railroad: "The Pine Leaf Route"
A division of the Fernwood Lumber Company, the Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf Railroad was formed in 1920 to handle lumber traffic. It was acquired by the ICG in 1972 and later abandoned.
Continue reading "Fernwood, Columbia & Gulf Railroad: "The Pine Leaf Route""
Jan 20, 2025
The "Floridian": Amtrak's New Chicago-Florida Service
The "Floridian" is Amtrak's new Chicago-Florida train launched in late 2024 running via Pittsburgh, Washington, and Raleigh.
Continue reading "The "Floridian": Amtrak's New Chicago-Florida Service"
Jan 17, 2025
The "NW3": Intended For Terminal Assignments
The NW3 was an early experimental road-switcher design marketed by Electro-Motive to offer a steam-generator equipped light-road switcher for passenger terminal assignments. Ultimately, just 7 were produced.
Continue reading "The "NW3": Intended For Terminal Assignments"
Jan 17, 2025
Juniata Valley Railroad: Operating The ex-PRR
The Juniata Valley Railroad is a North Shore Railroad subsidiary, maintaining segments of the former PRR near Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
Continue reading "Juniata Valley Railroad: Operating The ex-PRR"
Jan 17, 2025
Burlington Junction Railway: Serving The Heartland
The Burlington Junction is a Midwestern switching and transloading short line with several locations throughout the Midwest. It has been in operation since 1985.
Continue reading "Burlington Junction Railway: Serving The Heartland"
Jan 17, 2025
Canton Railroad: Serving The Port of Baltimore
The Canton Railroad is a historic industrial road serving the Port of Baltimore. Chartered in 1906 it remains in operation to this day.
Continue reading "Canton Railroad: Serving The Port of Baltimore"
Jan 16, 2025
Front Range Passenger Rail: Fort Collins-Pueblo, CO
Front Range Passenger Rail is a proposed project to link Fort Collins to Pueblo, Colorado by rail via Denver and Boulder. It hopes to be operational by the early 2030s.
Continue reading "Front Range Passenger Rail: Fort Collins-Pueblo, CO"
Jan 16, 2025
Indiana Northeastern Railroad: Operating The ex-NYC and Wabash
The Indiana Northeastern is a 130-mile short line that has been in service since 1992 operating components of the ex-NYC and Wabash in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.
Continue reading "Indiana Northeastern Railroad: Operating The ex-NYC and Wabash"
Jan 16, 2025
Indiana Eastern Railroad: Operating The ex-C&O
The Indiana Eastern is a Respondek short line operating the ex-Chesapeake & Ohio's Chicago main line in western Ohio and eastern Indiana. It began service in 2005.
Continue reading "Indiana Eastern Railroad: Operating The ex-C&O"
Jan 15, 2025
Chicago Hub Network Connecting The Midwest Via HSR
The so-called Chicago Hub Network is a collection of high-speed rail corridors connecting the city with several other Midwestern markets.
Continue reading "Chicago Hub Network Connecting The Midwest Via HSR"
Jan 15, 2025
Brightline West: Connecting Las Vegas to SoCal
Brightline West is an ongoing endeavor - since 2005 - to link Las Vegas and Southern California via a high speed rail line covering 218 miles.
Continue reading "Brightline West: Connecting Las Vegas to SoCal"
Jan 14, 2025
Texas Central Railway: Bringing HSR To The Lonestar State
The Texas Central Railway is a proposed 240-mile high speed rail system intended to link Dallas and Houston. It plans to be operational by 2026.
Continue reading "Texas Central Railway: Bringing HSR To The Lonestar State"
Jan 14, 2025
Baltimore–Washington Superconducting Maglev: A New Era Of Travel
The Baltimore–Washington Superconducting Maglev (SCMAGLEV) is an HSR project to connect both cities via a maglev system operating at speeds up to 311 mph.
Continue reading "Baltimore–Washington Superconducting Maglev: A New Era Of Travel"
Jan 14, 2025
Cascadia High-Speed Rail Corridor: Connecting the PNW
The Cascadia Rail system is an HSR project aiming to link Seattle with Vancouver via trains operating up to 220 mph.
Continue reading "Cascadia High-Speed Rail Corridor: Connecting the PNW"
Jan 14, 2025
Portland and Western Railroad: Operating The Ex-SP
The Portland and Western Railroad is a large, 500+ mile regional operating ex-Southern Pacific trackage in Oregon. It has been in operation since 1995.
Continue reading "Portland and Western Railroad: Operating The Ex-SP"
Jan 13, 2025
North Carolina's High-Speed Rail: The Southeast Corridor
The "Southeast Corridor" is North Carolina's high-speed rail project that hopes to link Charlotte to Washington, D.C. via Raleigh and Richmond.
Continue reading "North Carolina's High-Speed Rail: The Southeast Corridor"
Jan 12, 2025
Challenges Facing Railroads In The Modern Era
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Continue reading "Challenges Facing Railroads In The Modern Era"
Jan 12, 2025
Keokuk Junction Railway: Serving Illinois Since 1980
The Keokuk Junction has been in service since it acquired nearly 5 miles of ex-Rock Island trackage in 1980. Today, it operates 126 miles of track.
Continue reading "Keokuk Junction Railway: Serving Illinois Since 1980"
Jan 11, 2025
Railroad Safety: Regulations and Technological Advancements
This article explores the subject of railroad safety technology and regulations throughout the years.
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Jan 10, 2025
Conemaugh and Black Lick Railroad: Serving Johnstown Since 1923
The Conemaugh and Black Lick Railroad is a former Bethlehem Steel property that has served Johnstown, PA since 1923.
Continue reading "Conemaugh and Black Lick Railroad: Serving Johnstown Since 1923"
Jan 10, 2025
The Everett Railroad: Operating The Former PRR and H&BTM
The Everett Railroad is a long-running short line utilizing the former Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad and PRR in Pennsylvania.
Continue reading "The Everett Railroad: Operating The Former PRR and H&BTM"
Jan 09, 2025
Railroad Preservation: Maintaining The Past
Modern railroad preservation efforts began around the end of the steam era and a great deal of equipment from the early 20th century is now on display at various museums and groups around the country.
Continue reading "Railroad Preservation: Maintaining The Past"
Jan 09, 2025
The Role of Railroads in Sustainable Transportation
Railroads have long been known as the most efficient means of transportation on land, carrying an average of one ton of freight 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel.
Continue reading "The Role of Railroads in Sustainable Transportation"
Jan 08, 2025
Exploring the World of Railroadiana, Collectibles and Memorabilia
This articles explores the world of railroadiana, a term describing historic, and typically valuable, classic railroad items.
Continue reading "Exploring the World of Railroadiana, Collectibles and Memorabilia"
Recent Articles
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Wheeling Traction Company: Serving Northern WV
Jan 26, 25 05:51 PM
The Wheeling Traction Company was one of two major interurbans to serve West Virginia, operating in the Northern Panhandle between Weirton-Wheeling. -
Monongahela West Penn Public Service Company
Jan 26, 25 05:32 PM
The Monongahela West Penn was the largest interurban in the state of West Virginia, owning nearly 100 miles along two disconnected divisions between Clarksburg and Parkersburg. -
The Wellington Avalanche: A Tragic Chapter In Railroad History
Jan 26, 25 02:06 PM
The Wellington Avalanche was the deadliest such disaster in the U.S. and one of the worst railroad accidents of all time resulting in 96 deaths in 1910.