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Train & Station Facts

All About Railroad Signs: How To Recognize And React Appropriately To Them

Railroads will typically have signs posted in order to alert people and vehicles to the nearby conditions of trains or tracks. Like railroad signals, they are vital as warnings and guides, so it’s important to have a basic understanding of railroad sign meanings. This blog will list many of the common railroad signs you may…

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December 27, 2023

Laws About Railroad Tracks: Your FAQ Guide

By the time we reach the driving age, most people are knowledgeable about road safety laws. All drivers need to be — understanding which actions are safe and which are illegal not only protects you as a driver, but it helps protect any other drivers and passengers on the road.  What many of us don’t…

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September 1, 2023

10 Railroad Tycoons: The Good, Bad, & Questionable Pioneers Of The Railroad Industry

Between 1860 and 1900, the rate of railroad construction was increasing faster than ever. But what led to the rapid development of our railways?  That answer depends on who you ask. Certainly, innovation was a driving factor, but looking back, many would argue that the driving force for railroad tycoons was money and power.  While…

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August 14, 2023

Railroad Workers Of The Past And Present

Since the beginning of America’s railroading history, railroad workers have always played an essential role in maintaining the safety of the train and its passengers. From operating the locomotive to surveying the land where the tracks were laid, each person’s role was unique. Explore the types of railroad workers that were most popular in the…

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July 18, 2023

The Rich History Of Train Car Dining

When passenger trains came into popular use, train car dining didn’t exist. It wasn’t until later, after the Civil War, that dining became a regular feature of train transit. As dining cars and the food they served continued to improve, train car dining started to rival some of the best five-star restaurants across the country….

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June 15, 2023

5 Historic Steam Engines At Strasburg Rail Road

Photo courtesy of Christopher R. Pollock. Whether you’re a railfan or not, you can’t deny the profound history that steam locomotives played in American history. At one point in time, steam was the “it” method of transportation. Strasburg Rail Road’s equipment roster is full of historic steam engines and unique motive power that you can…

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May 9, 2023

Beginner’s Guide to Railroad Signals: How To Read US Train Signals

Railroad signals play a crucial role in the safety of train transit. Just like normal highway traffic lights, railroad signals direct the engineman on how to proceed. But these signals are much more complex than normal traffic lights. This guide breaks down US Railroad signals into three sections: category, type, and how to read. We’ve…

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April 3, 2023

How Heritage Railways Preserve History

It’s hard to imagine a life where cars and planes didn’t exist. These are simple luxuries that most people take advantage of every day. But there was a time when these methods of transport fell short and steam railways reigned supreme.  As train ridership started to dwindle in the early-to-mid 50s, railfans pushed for railroad…

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December 7, 2022

How Types of Passenger Train Cars Have Evolved

Since their inception in the early 1800s, passenger train cars have undergone countless modifications. What started as small, unsteady, wooden carriages have fostered into massive, high-speed, aluminum cars that can transport more passengers over further distances.    Learn how different types of passenger train cars have evolved over the years into the familiar cabs we know…

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November 8, 2022

The Evolution of Travel on Passenger Trains

In the “Golden Age” of railroads, passenger trains were the safest and fastest mode of transportation. Near and far, they carried people to and from work, across state lines, and even across the country. They weren’t always the preferred method of travel, however. As we look into their history, we’ll examine how the passenger train…

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October 4, 2022