Classic Trains

CELEBRATE THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICAN RAILROADING – WHEN GIANT STEAM LOCOMOTIVES, COLORFUL DIESELS AND STEAMLINERS SHARED THE RAILS. CLASSIC TRAINS COVERS THE 1930’S THROUGH THE 1970’S WITH REMARKABLE PHOTOGRAPHY, DETAILED REPORTING AND FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS FROM PEOPLE WHO WORKED THE GREAT PASSENGER AND FREIGHT TRAINS.

Farewell to two giants

Head End

Reviews

Riding the Reading

How Conrail became a classic • Time brings new perspective in the addition of “Big Blue” to the pantheon of railroad history

World’s fair wonder • Visitors to the General Motors pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair (theme: The World of Tomorrow) were greeted by latest in diesel passenger locomotives, an E6A. Bearing the number 1939, a stylized “GM DIESEL” nose logo, and a special paint scheme, the unit became Seaboard Air Line 3014 after the fair. The booster unit coupled behind it had glass side panels to show off the new 567 engines and other internal equipment.

A uniquely positioned flag • Bred of transcontinental dreams, the Wabash served but also avoided Chicago and St. Louis

Canadian Pacific’s rural gem • QUEBEC CENTRAL FEATURED STEAM-POWERED MIXED TRAINS IN A PASTORAL SETTING

A long trip that turned out longer • Delays were rampant when my family took a trip from Mexico City to Hannibal, Mo., in 1945

My Conrail beginnings • “Orientation Sessions” was the label on a file I encountered in late 2015 as I was relocating some file cabinets in my basement to accommodate my growing O gauge model railroad. Upon opening that file, long-lost memories of my origins in the railroad industry came flooding back. The year was 1978, and I was a new employee of the upstart, subversive Northeastern rail giant Consolidated Rail Corporation — Conrail.

Family connection at Billings, August 2, 1961 • Burlington Route trains for Denver and Lincoln and NP’s North Coast Limited meet and exchange passengers, mail, and express

California PhotoSpecial

Action at Jackson (Kentucky) • AT LAST WITH MY OWN WHEELS, IN 1967 I FINALLY COULD TAKE IN L&N’S ELKATAWA HILL PUSHER OPERATION

L&N’s stealthy “Black Cats”

How many ways can you spell ROCK ISLAND? • To get units back on the road, shop employees prioritized function over appearance

Pullman’s summer swan song • A rookie tour escort had a ringside seat for chartered sleeping cars’ final season 50 years ago

Off-the-job training • Railfan jaunts contributed to my development as a railroader

My best train ride • Winding track and distinct exhaust made a trip on the Coast Daylight one to remember

Oak Hill, population 16 • Recollections of serving as the Santa Fe agent at a sleepy Kansas town

NextIssue

P&N passenger and freight

Vintage E units shine again • Rock Island family ties inspire a restoration project in Iowa

Milwaukee’s hometown station