CSX ES44DC No. 5254 pulls the Tropicana Juice Train northbound, crossing the Little Manatee River at Ruskin, Fla., on Aug. 30, 2010. Scott Hartley photo […]
Rushin’ through Ruskin
Section: Railroads
Richard Steinheimer: A True Artist
The death of Richard Steinheimer on May 4, 2011, closed out a career that, in the world of railroad photography, was unparalleled. Although he came to prominence in an era marked by other great talents, “Stein’s” visual insights, his astonishing technique, and his storytelling abilities were an especially potent combination. His images of railroading in […]
Mountain railroad grade profiles
For railroad builders in North America, a 2.2 percent climb was considered the standard maximum grade for a well-engineered mountain railroad. But why this number? And how did its adoption become so widespread? Using modern-day analysis of some famous mountain railroad grades, Trains Magazine’s September 2011 issue explores the origins and adoption of 2.2 percent […]
The challenges of firing an oil-burner
Firemen on oil-burners like SP 4-8-2 4360 at Pinole, Calif., had to be sure the fuel was not too hot, not too cold, and adequately pressurized. John C. Illman As a fireman of oil-burning steam locomotives on the Southern Pacific during the 1950s (on the Coast, Rio Grande, Western, and Sacramento divisions), I never envied […]
Turbine power all the way
High speed in New England in the 1970s meant these turbine-powered trainsets built by United Aircraft, which sprinted between Boston and New York from 1969 to 1976. The two Turbotrains (Amtrak later bought a third set from VIA Rail Canada) achieved the route’s best-ever timings — 3 hours and 48 minutes between Boston and New […]
Railroad timeline, 1950-1989
1950: Dieselization – Ten Class 1 railroads had already dieselized before this year, including the Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay; Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville (Monon); Columbus & Greenville; Detroit & Mackinac; Elgin, Joliet & Eastern; Gulf, Mobile & Ohio; Lehigh & New England; New York, Ontario & Western; New York, Susquehanna & Western; and Texas-Mexican. […]
Blue Train of the Prairies
Still dressed in royal blue, a mail-express car and “comboose” 307 bring up the rear of NAR mixed train 75 at Egremont, Alta., in August 1972. J. David Ingles collection Several great trains have carried the name “Blue Train.” The most famous ones were in Europe and South Africa. Then there were the trains of […]
Winding through wind
Union Pacific C44AC-CTE No. 5374 leads a mixed-freight train past Milepost 366.7 past wind turbine generators on its way to Monolith, Calif., on April 25, 2011. William Steck photo […]
Cabooses on Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern and some other railroads use cabooses or riding platforms to protect shove moves. NS Q I know Class I railroads haven’t used cabooses for some years. On a Roanoke, Va., webcam, though, I have seen Norfolk Southern use a caboose on many occasions. The trains do not look like work trains, but rather […]
“Manifest” in railroading
Q What does the term “manifest” mean in relation to railroading? Where and when did it originate?— Wesley Greer, Castle Rock, Colo. A Manifest comes from the Latin word manifestus, meaning “visible,” or “detected in the act.” It went into Middle English (because the Romans occupied England for a while), and in 1432 the word […]
Talgo speed comparison
Talgo’s pendular suspension lowers the carbody’s center of gravity and relocates its center of rotation, all enabling Talgo cars to take curves faster without causing excessive passenger discomfort due to the centrifugal force. Q How much faster would a Talgo-like train be than a conventional single level or bilevel (Superliner) over the same stretch of […]
SMS Rail Lines Inc. roster
S12 No. 300 and VO1000 No. 412 congregate at the SMS’s Pureland operation. Scott A. Hartley In the August 2011 issue, we take a look at SMS Rail Lines Inc., owner of one of the coolest rosters of locomotives anywhere. Here’s a look at what locomotives are part of the fleet and where they came […]
