April 25, 2020

I've been working on the railroad (a video & some pics of my Lionel train collection)

Hello again DU'ers,

Being a few weeks into the lockdown here has given me time to further engage in a lifetime hobby of mine: model railroading.

Though nowadays the hobby seems to be in decline, with a demographic consisting mainly of boomers - and gen-x'ers like myself - in the postwar period having a Lionel train set for the kids was almost as much a part of the American Dream as a house with a picket fence and a car in the driveway. And after declining sales in the 60's, Lionel trains had made a comeback in the 1970's - with the trains being marketed more as collectibles for grown-ups rather than as toys for children.

I've been collecting Lionel trains for most of my life and thought I'd share a video and some pics showcasing the layout I've built & train collection I've acquired over the years since receiving my first Lionel train set when I was 8 years old.

So here is a short video (and below that, some pictures) showcasing my 8 x 9 foot Lionel O-gauge three-rail layout and my O-gauge model train collection – featuring engines & rolling stock from Lionel, MTH, Weaver, Williams, Atlas-O, K-Line, Ready Made Trains & Buffalo Creek Graphics. Steam, diesel & electric power. Passenger & freight.

Over 150 pieces of rolling stock in 10 minutes! From my web page at: https://northamericabyrail.info/model-railroading/

Hope you enjoy, and keep safe.

Layout Video:


Layout Overview Pic:


Train Pics:

Lionel/MPC Canadian Pacific F3 A-B-A & GP9 diesels pulling “The Canadian”


MTH Canadian Pacific FA2 A-B-A & GP9 diesels on the “Expo Limited”


MTH Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson steamer with a local freight


MTH Canadian National SW8 diesel with a transfer freight


MTH Canadian National Bullet Nose Betty steamer pulling the “Inter-City Limited”


MTH Canadian National F3 A-B-A & GP9 diesels pulling the “Super Continental”


Custom-painted MTH VIA Rail F3 A-B-A diesels with the “Skeena”


Williams Pennsylvania GG1 electric on the “Broadway Limited”


Williams Burlington E7 A-A diesels with the “Denver Zephyr”


Lionel/MPC Southern Pacific Daylight steamer with the “Coast Daylight”


Lionel Trains Inc Erie Lackawanna PA1 A-A diesels pulling the “Phoebe Snow”


MTH Canadian Pacific RS3 diesel with a branchline freight


MTH Ontario Northland E8 A-B-A diesels with a time freight


Weaver Canadian Pacific Empress steamer with the “Dominion”


Lionel Trains Inc Canadian Pacific F3 A-B-A diesels pulling the “Atlantic Limited”


Lionel Postwar Milwaukee Road GP7 diesel with a local freight


Lionel Postwar Union Pacific Alco A-A diesels with a time freight


Lionel/MPC Grand Trunk Western GP7 diesels with the “Maple Leaf”


Lionel Trains Inc Canadian Pacific GP9 diesel with a time freight


MTH Canadian Pacific E8 A-B-A diesels with a dead freight


Lionel/MPC Milwaukee Road EP5 electric & SD18 diesel pulling a time freight


Corgi TTC PCC streetcar

April 20, 2020

To Yellowstone Park and Seattle on Amtrak's Empire Builder

Hello Again, DU'ers,

In the summer of 2016 my wife & I took a ride on Amtrak's "Empire Builder" from Chicago, Illinois to Seattle, Washington with a stopover in Whitefish, Montana to visit Yellowstone National Park and thought we might share some pics.

I'll be the first to admit that pictures cannot do justice to actually seeing the scenic wonders of Yellowstone Park, and the blast furnace sounds and the sulfur smells of its geysers in person.

However if you are looking for a diversion from news about the pandemic, and are ready to channel your inner Lewis & Clark, then I hope you'll join us for a virtual journey across the Pacific Northwest!

The pics are from my website, https://northamericabyrail.info/

Hope you enjoy!

Chicago Union Station's Great Hall


Onboard Amtrak's Westbound "Empire Builder" departing Chicago Union Station


Chicago Skyline as seen from the train


Passing through Wisconsin Dells


Crossing the Mississippi River near Winona, MN


Onboard the Empire Builder racing through the badlands near Williston, ND


The Empire Builder at Havre, MT, fueled & ready for its haul over the Great Divide.


Great Northern 4-8-4 type steam locomotive on display in Havre, MT


Sweet Grass Hills, MT


National Park Service volunteers provided a running commentary onboard the train. The Empire Builder closely follows the route of the Lewis & Clark expedition. Photo taken with permission.


Two Medicine, Montana. Crossing the highest trestle on the Empire Builder's route


Glacier Park Amtrak Station


Onboard the Empire Builder, roaring through the Rockies, Glacier National Park, MT


Glacier Park, MT


Front of our train entering a snowshed in Marias Pass


Front of our train entering a tunnel, Glacier Park, MT


Detraining at the Whitefish, MT Amtrak station.


By rental car driving south along Flathead Lake


(Edited to add the following three pics of preserved railroad equipment encountered on our drive through southern Montana-for the benefit of railfans commenting on my thread below )

Burlington Northern caboose on display at St Ignatius, MT


Northern Pacific 4-6-0 type steam Locomotive on display in Missoula, MT


Milwaukee Road EF4 class electric locomotive on display in Deer Lodge, MT


Driving along the Jefferson River Canyon


Yellowstone National Park, West Entrance


Antique 1937 Yellowstone tour bus


Silex Spring, Fountain Paint Pot Geyser Basin


Clepsydra Geyser, Fountain Paint Pot Geyser Basin


Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park


Grand Canyon & Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River


First time we ever saw a wild bison. Yellowstone National Park


Back onboard the Empire Builder. Station stop at Wenatchee, WA


Along the Columbia River near Wenatchee, WA


Climbing the front range of the Cascades near Leavenworth, WA


On board the Empire Builder rolling through the Cascade mountains


Waterfalls in the Cascades


Bavarian architecture at Skykomish, WA


Onboard the Empire Builder, passing wreck of World War II minesweeper 'Pacific Queen' in Puget Sound


Entering downtown Seattle


King Street Station, Seattle - final stop on the Empire Builder's route


Pikes Place Market, Seattle, WA


Ballard Locks, Seattle, WA


Seattle Skyline & Space Needle as seen from Kerry Park

April 11, 2020

The World's Longest Electrified Railroad

Hello again DU'ers!

About two decades ago, I went on a road trip across the Pacific Northwestern U.S. to photograph what remained of what was once the world's longest electrified railroad, and thought I might share a few pics here for trivia's sake and to offer a little distraction from the somber news about the global pandemic.

The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, also known as the Milwaukee Road, was the last transcontinental railroad to be completed across the Western United States in 1909.

In 1914 it also became the only transcontinental railroad to be electrified. By 1927 approximately a third of the route between St. Paul & Seattle, a total of 660 route-miles, was under the wires - making it the world's longest mainline railroad electrification at the time!

For nearly six decades, smooth, silent hydroelectric power was used to power both passenger & freight trains through the Rocky & Cascade mountains of Montana, Idaho and Washington - with a fleet of 116 electric locomotives of five different types ultimately placed into service. There were two electrified sections - the 440 mile Rocky Mountain Division and the 207 mile Coast Division - separated by a 216 mile un-electrified section known as "The Gap".

In the 1970's the Milwaukee Road, facing bankruptcy, became interested in selling off instead of renewing the electrification assets and, in the midst of an oil embargo, made the controversial decision to phase out electric operations in June of 1974.

However the Milwaukee's pulling of the plug on its electric operations was to no avail. The railroad entered bankruptcy, and in March 1980 the Milwaukee Road abandoned its Pacific extension- thus becoming the largest railroad to disappear from the map of the United States.

In my pictures below (originally shot on Kodachrome 64 slide film and which can also be seen on my website, https://northamericabyrail.info/ ) I've attempted to show both what was lost and also what remains of the Milwaukee Road's Pacific extension:
The bridges, tunnels, and rights-of-way; the engines and rolling stock preserved in various museums; the stations that served the passengers and the substations that supplied the power - frozen in time waiting for a train that will never come.

Also - in addition to my pictures below - I've included links to vintage images from other photographers that I found on the web, so that viewers may do a "now versus then" comparison.

Hope you enjoy.

My photograph of a Milwaukee Road boxcab electric locomotive on display in Harlowton, MT. Harlowton was the beginning of the 440 mile electrified Rocky Mountain Division which extended to Avery, ID.


A vintage photograph of a pair of boxcabs in the Deer Lodge, MT locomotive shop - still in revenue service (photographer unknown)


My photograph of a Milwaukee Road shunting locomotive used at Deer Lodge, now on display in Harlowton, MT


A vintage photograph of the same Deer Lodge shop switcher in operation (photographer unknown)


My photograph of a Milwaukee Road wedge plow on display in Harlowton, MT


A vintage photograph of another plow when it was a functioning part of the Milwaukee's once-vast system (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the former Milwaukee Road roundhouse in Harlowton, MT - now a home for 4-legged horses instead of iron ones


A vintage photograph of the Harlowton Roundhouse serving in it's originally intended purpose (John Rust)


My photograph of the former Milwaukee Road engine facilities, water tower & freight yards at Harlowton, MT


A vintage photograph of the Milwaukee Road engine facilities at Harlowton, MT (Michael Sol)


My photograph of the old Milwaukee Road depot at Ringling, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight passing the depot at Ringling, MT (Steve Schmollinger)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road bridge over the Missouri River at Lombard, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road passenger train crossing the bridge at Lombard, MT (Sanford Goodrick "Under Milwaukee Wires" )


My photograph of a Milwaukee Road class EF4 "Little Joe" electric locomotive on display in Deer Lodge, MT
(These General-Electric-built export locomotives, originally destined for Russia & named after Joseph Stalin, were undeliverable after the 1948 embargo of the Soviet Union so instead the Milwaukee Road bought them in 1950)


A vintage photograph of a pair of "Joe's" in revenue service at Deer Lodge, MT (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the east portal of the Milwaukee Road's old Pipestone Pass Tunnel


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight exiting the west portal of Pipestone Pass tunnel (Ron V Nixon "Museum of the Rockies" )


My photograph of an abandoned Milwaukee Road boxcar at Vendome, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Rd freight beginning its climb to the continental divide at Vendome, MT (John Dziobko)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road depot in Missoula, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight passing the Missoula depot (photographer unknown)


My photograph of a Milwaukee Road bay window caboose on display at Alberton, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road bay window caboose in operation (photographer unknown)


My photograph of a Wylie Controller from a "Little Joe" electric locomotive on display in the Alberton Museum
(Named for its inventor, Milwaukee Road electrical engineer Lawrence Wylie, this controller enabled the Little Joe electric locomotives to run together in multiple unit lashups with diesels)


A vintage photograph inside the cab of a "Joe", the Wylie controller's handle is immediately to the left of the two gauges (used to show traction motor amperage and train speed) (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road depot in Alberton, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight passing the depot in Alberton, MT (Ron V Nixon "Museum of the Rockies" )


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road trestle at Saltese, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight crossing the trestle at Saltese, MT (Chris Bradley)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road's Dominion Creek trestle at Bryson, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight crossing the Dominion Creek trestle at Bryson, MT (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road's St Paul Pass tunnel at East Portal, MT


A vintage photograph of a set of Milwaukee Road engines running light at East Portal, MT (Bill Hooper)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road's St Paul Pass tunnel at Roland, ID


A vintage photograph of the Milwaukee Road's St Paul Pass tunnel at Roland, ID (Ron V Nixon "Museum of the Rockies" )


My photograph of Milwaukee Road trestles in the Bitterroot mountains, St Paul Pass, ID


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight crossing a trestle in the Bitterroots (Michael Sol)


My photograph of a Milwaukee Road Tunnel in the Bitterroots


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road Tunnel in the Bitterroots (Victor Hand)


My photograph of the old Milwaukee Road depot at Avery, ID


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight passing the depot at Avery, ID (Steve Schmollinger)


My photograph of the site of the former Milwaukee Road yard & right of way at Avery, ID


A vintage photograph of the Milwaukee Rd yard at Avery, ID, with tracks and trolley poles still in place (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road trestle over Lake Chatcolet. This location was in the un-electrified gap between the electrified Rocky Mountain and Coast Divisions.


A vintage photograph of the Milwaukee Road trestle over Lake Chatcolet (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the former Milwaukee Road yard at St Maries, ID, now in use by the St Maries River RR


A vintage photograph of the Milwaukee Road yard at St Maries, ID (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road bridge over the Columbia River at Beverly, WA. This was part of the Coast Division electrification.


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight crossing the bridge over the Columbia River at Beverly, WA (Rob Leachman)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road substation at Cle Elum, WA
(These substations converted 100,000 volts AC from the hydro companies into 3,000 volts DC for the locomotives)


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight passing the substation at Cle Elum, WA (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road's Snoqualmie tunnel


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight exiting the tunnel at Snoqualmie, WA (photographer unknown)


My photograph of a Milwaukee Road trestle in Snoqualmie Pass


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road passenger train crossing a trestle in Snoqualmie Pass (photographer unknown)


My photograph of Seattle's Union Station


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road passenger train departing Seattle's Union Station (Michael Sol)

April 5, 2020

Rocketing to Rupert on "The Skeena" (And by Ferry to Vancouver Island)

Last summer my wife & I took a ride on "The Skeena" - VIA Rail Canada's train that operates through the Northern British Columbia Rockies on a 2-day journey from Jasper, Alberta to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, via Prince George, BC, where an overnight stop-over is made (passengers can overnight in one of the local hotels).

The train is often ironically referred to by it’s unofficial moniker – the "Rupert Rocket" and is classified as a remote essential service by the Federal Government of Canada.

Interesting fact: Prince Rupert, on the Northern British Columbia coast, is only 40 miles from Alaska!

From Prince Rupert, we took the BC Ferry 'Northern Expedition' on a 16 hour day cruise to Port Hardy, BC on the northern tip of Vancouver Island and from there rented a car and drove to Tofino on the west coast of the island.

Though the weather didn't always co-operate and the train was late due to a huge amount of freight traffic (it was scheduled to arrive in Prince Rupert at 8pm on the second day, we didn't arrive until 4am the next morning) the trip was very enjoyable.

For those cooped up at home listening to the endless depressing news about the pandemic, we thought we might once again offer a little distraction & share a few pics from our website at: https://northamericabyrail.info/

Hope you enjoy!

VIA Train #5 - The 'Skeena' - at Jasper, AB being readied for departure to Prince Rupert, BC.


Jasper VIA Rail Station


Onboard the westbound Skeena departing Jasper, AB


The westbound Skeena travelling along Moose Lake


Mount Robson, highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, 12,972 ft. Summit is only visible on average 16 days per year.


Coach seating on VIA Rail's Skeena


Scenic dome section in Park car on VIA Rail's Skeena


Bullet Lounge in Park car on VIA Rail's Skeena


Travelling through the Rocky Mountains, Harvey, BC


Travelling through the Rocky Mountains, Dunster, BC


Onboard the Skeena in the Rockies west of McBride, BC


By train along the Fraser River


250 meter tunnel west of McBride, BC


Onboard the Skeena in the Rockies & along the Fraser, west of McBride, BC


View from rear of train crossing Hansard Bridge over the Fraser River


Prince George, BC, VIA Rail station


Onboard the Skeena running along Fraser Lake


Lunch in Touring Class on the Skeena


Along the Endako River


Onboard the Skeena along Burns Lake


Burns Lake, BC, station stop


Onboard the westbound Skeena east of Houston, BC


Meet with a CN ballast train near Telkwa, BC


Onboard the westbound Skeena at Smithers, BC, VIA Rail Station


Coast Mountains west of Smithers, BC


Onboard the Skeena departing Smithers, BC


Hudson Bay Mountain & Kathlyn Glacier


Crossing a trestle in Bulkley Canyon at dusk


Entering a tunnel in Bulkley Canyon at dusk


Prince Rupert, BC, VIA Station & Ferry Terminal


View from Highliner Plaza Hotel, Prince Rupert, BC


Outside cabin on the BC Ferry 'Northern Expedition' headed from Prince Rupert, BC to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island


Island and mainland-bound ferries passing each other


Cruising BC's inside passage


View from Glen Lyon Inn, Port Hardy, BC


Canadian Forest Products steam locomotive on display at Woss, BC


By rental car through Vancouver Island. Cameron Lake, BC


By rental car through Vancouver Island. Kennedy Lake, BC


Pacific Sands Hotel, Tofino, BC


Beach at the Pacific Sands Hotel, Tofino, BC


Totem Pole, Tofino, BC


Harbor, Tofino, BC


Pacific Terminus, Trans Canada highway, Tofino, BC