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.
Dec 16, 2024
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"
Dec 16, 2024
The Fred Harvey Company: An Acclaimed Enterprise in Travel and Dining
The legendary Fred Harvey Houses were a staple service along the Santa Fe's main line for many years and their impact still remains today.
Continue reading "The Fred Harvey Company: An Acclaimed Enterprise in Travel and Dining"
Dec 15, 2024
Kansas City Terminal Railway: Serving Union Station
The Kansas City Terminal Railway was formed by a consortium in 1906 to handle switching at Union Station. Today, it operates a terminal freight line.
Continue reading "Kansas City Terminal Railway: Serving Union Station"
Dec 12, 2024
The "Flexi-Van": NYC's Revolutionary TOFC Service
The so-called "Flexi-Van" was New York Central's trademark service. While far ahead of its time the railroad failed to lure the industry as a whole. It had died out by the Penn Central era.
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Dec 09, 2024
Chessie System (Railroad): The WM, B&O, and C&O
The Chessie System was a holding company created in 1973 composed of the B&O, C&O, and Western Maryland.
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Dec 09, 2024
The "Desert Wind" (1979-1997)
The Desert Wind is a former Amtrak service connecting Chicago and Los Angeles. Formerly known as the Los Vegas Limited, it ran from 1979-1997
Dec 06, 2024
The "San Francisco Zephyr" (1972-1983)
The "San Francisco Zephyr" was Amtrak's "California Zephyr" precursor, operating from 1972-1983 between Chicago and Oakland.
Dec 04, 2024
Colorado Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Experience dinner by train amid beautiful western vistas within the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Learn more about these trips here.
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Dec 04, 2024
Tennessee Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
The state of Tennessee offers a few locations where one can enjoy dinner and a train ride. Learn more about them here!
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Dec 04, 2024
Virginia Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Currently, only the Buckingham Branch Railroad offers dinner train rides in Virginia; learn more about the " Virginia Scenic Railway" here.
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Dec 04, 2024
Georgia Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Enjoy a trip by rail at one of Georgia's heritage railroads while enjoying meal service on-board. Learn more about these trips here.
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Dec 04, 2024
Iowa Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
The open prairies of Iowa have a long history with railroads and passenger trains. You can enjoy a dinner train experience at the Boone & Scenic Valley.
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Dec 04, 2024
Kansas Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
There are two locations in Kansas hosting dinner train rides; the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad and Midland Railway.
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Dec 04, 2024
New York Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Enjoy an afternoon by train with meal service provided at one of New York's many heritage railroads.
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Dec 04, 2024
West Virginia Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Enjoy all the splendor West Virginia's natural beauty has to offer while enjoying dinner by train on the West Virginia Central and other locations.
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Dec 04, 2024
New Jersey Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
New Jersey has a rich railroading heritage but, unfortunately, no true dinner train experiences currently. A few locations do offer light snacks.
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Dec 04, 2024
Oregon Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
In Oregon you can find two locations offering food service during a short train ride; the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad and Mt Hood Railroad
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Dec 04, 2024
Illinois Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Learn about the vital importance of Illinois to the nation's railroads and enjoy dinner aboard a train at the Monticello Railway Museum.
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Dec 04, 2024
Arizona Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Arizona offers two upscale train ride experiences offering food service, the Verde Canyon Railroad and Grand Canyon Railway. Learn more about each here.
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Dec 04, 2024
Wisconsin Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Wisconsin offers a combination of rich rail history and bucolic scenes of rolling farms. Learn more here about dinner trains within the state.
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Dec 03, 2024
North Carolina Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Discover locations in North Carolina hosting train rides with dinner available, typically hosted by heritage railroads or museums.
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Dec 03, 2024
Kentucky Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Enjoy dinner by train in Appalachia at three different locations in Kentucky, including the popular "My Old Kentucky Dinner Train."
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Dec 03, 2024
Missouri Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Discover locations in Missouri hosting dinner trains, such as the popular Branson Scenic Railway in Branson.
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Dec 03, 2024
Minnesota Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Find the locations in Minnesota here which harken back to the bygone era of rail travel when dinner was served aboard the train.
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Dec 03, 2024
Ohio Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Discover where scenic dinner train rides can be found in Ohio here, a state steeped in rail history.
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Dec 03, 2024
Indiana Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Find out more information here about all of the available dinner train rides offered in the state of Indiana.
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Dec 03, 2024
Maine Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
There is currently one location in Maine hosting a train rides with food service, the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum. Learn more here.
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Dec 03, 2024
South Carolina Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
There is only location in the Palmetto State offering a true dinner train experience can be found at the South Carolina Railroad Museum. Learn more here.
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Dec 03, 2024
Texas Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Texas, where everything is big and the entertainment is endless! Learn more about dinner train rides across the state here.
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Dec 03, 2024
Alabama Dinner Trains (2025): A Complete Guide
Alabama's is home to one experience with food service availability by train at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum. Learn more about their trips here.
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Dec 03, 2024
Michigan Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Michigan is home to two heritage railroads which offer dinner train experiences, the Adrian & Blissfield and Coopersville & Marne. Learn more about them here.
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Dec 03, 2024
Montana's Scenic Dinner Trains (2025): A Complete Guide
Yes! There is a dinner train available in Montana, hosted by the Charlie Russell Choo Choo in Lewistown.
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Dec 03, 2024
Florida Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Florida's warm climate allows for year-round scenic train rides. You can enjoy dinner on the famous Seminole Gulf Railway.
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Dec 03, 2024
Vermont Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
There is one location in Vermont hosting a dedicated dinner train experience at the Green Mountain Railroad.
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Dec 03, 2024
Pennsylvania Dinner Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
This guide provides a brief overview of dinner train rides available throughout the state of Pennsylvania.
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Dec 03, 2024
Maryland Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Maryland train rides offer some incredible experiences on the rails like the steam-powered Western Maryland Scenic.
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Dec 03, 2024
Pennsylvania Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Pennsylvania train rides offer the greatest collection anywhere in the country except perhaps California. The state has a rich and long-standing history with railroads dating back to the 1820s. To learn more about all available train rides in PA please visit this page.
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Dec 03, 2024
Ohio Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Most of the Ohio train rides available to the public are small in nature. However, the state is home to the very popular Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Byesville Scenic, and Hocking Valley Scenic.
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Dec 03, 2024
Alabama Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
There are currently just a few train rides in Alabama to choose from. Learn more about them within this guide, as well as the state's railroad museums.
Continue reading "Alabama Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide"
Dec 03, 2024
Idaho Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Presented here is a brief guide to available train rides and railroad attractions in the state of Idaho.
Continue reading "Idaho Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide"
Dec 03, 2024
Illinois Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
While the state has many museums there are just a few Illinois train rides available. The two most well known are the Silver Creek & Stephenson and Illinois Railway Museum.
Continue reading "Illinois Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide"
Dec 03, 2024
Oklahoma Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Currently, the Oklahoma Railway Museum is the only location within the state hosting public excursions. Find out more about it and all of the state's museums here.
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Dec 03, 2024
Vermont Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Vermont train rides offer visitors incredible views of New England. These trips are hosted by the Green Mountain Railroad, a division of the Vermont Railway. Also be sure to visit the state's few railroad museums.
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Dec 02, 2024
Tennessee Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
Tennessee train rides showcase perhaps the best views of Appalachia anywhere, many powered by steam. View the 2025 guide here.
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Dec 02, 2024
Georgia Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
There are just a few Georgia train rides available to choose from. Luckily, though, the state is home to two very popular such attractions, the SAM Shortline and Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.
Continue reading "Georgia Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide"
Dec 02, 2024
Virginia Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
The Cavalier State enjoys a rich railroading heritage. Unfortunately, Virginia train rides are few; only the Buckingham Branch Railroad offers public excursions. However, there are several museums available to visit!
Continue reading "Virginia Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide"
Dec 02, 2024
Rhode Island Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
You may be surprised to learn that, despite its small size, there are Rhode Island train rides available to the public. These public excursions include the Newport Dinner Train and Old Colony & Newport Railway. Learn more about each here.
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Dec 02, 2024
Nevada Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
There are three very nice Nevada train rides to experience today including the Virginia and Truckee, Nevada Northern, and Nevada Southern.
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Dec 02, 2024
Iowa Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide
You may be surprised to know that Iowa train rides are home to a large operating collection of steam locomotives at the Midwest Central Railroad. Learn more about all of the state's excursion trains.
Continue reading "Iowa Scenic Train Rides (2025): A Complete Guide"
Recent Articles
-
The "NW3": Intended For Terminal Assignments
Dec 16, 24 06:10 PM
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 pr… -
The Fred Harvey Company: An Acclaimed Enterprise in Travel and Dining
Dec 16, 24 02:18 PM
The legendary Fred Harvey Houses were a staple service along the Santa Fe's main line for many years and their impact still remains today. -
Kansas City Terminal Railway: Serving Union Station
Dec 15, 24 07:02 PM
The Kansas City Terminal Railway was formed by a consortium in 1906 to handle switching at Union Station. Today, it operates a terminal freight line.