New Additions for Spring 2024

It's train time in Chillicothe, Ohio in this 1911 view of a B&O passenger train. The stamp is RPO cancelled.

This circa 1906 right-of-way view along the Reading Railroad shows a good example of an early signal system known as a "banjo signal" because of the signal housing shape. Invented in 1969 by Thomas Hall and were also known as Hall signals. Using an early form of electrical track current, colored red or green fabric mounted on a frame rolled up or down inside the housing and utilized daylight for illumination. There was also a small opening lit by a lantern to show the color aspect at night. Used extensively on the Reading, Hall signals were the predecessors of the semaphore signal system. For more information, follow this link.

 It's train time in Bristolville, Ohio as the engine and station crew pose for posterity circa 1915.

 

The Los Angeles Limited carried passengers in sumptuous luxury, as can be seen from this 1910 postcard.

 

This is a rare circa 1906 postcard view of the Eldorado Springs Railway Company's passenger operation. Three miles of standard gauge track connected the resort of Eldorado Springs, known as "The Coney Island of the West", to Marshall, a mining town three miles to the east. Two years later, the Colorado & Southern took over the trackage and was finally electrified by the Denver & Interurban.

 

 

 

 

The Central of Georgia "Man O' War", one of two name trains operated by the railroad, ran from Columbus to Atlanta, was inaugurated in 1947.

 

 

 

 

The Budd Company of Philadelphia, PA designed these self-propelled, diesel powered rail cars and began production in 1949. Although not a new concept, almost four hundred units were made for use in commuter service and in areas with lower passenger traffic that didn't require a traditional train. Several cars could be coupled together and operated as an "MU", or multiple unit, train with the lead car controlling the motors and brakes of the others. The RDCs were available in a combination of passenger, baggage, and railway post office configurations. In Canada, both the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railroads operated the units. The Canadian National referred to their RDCs as "Railiners" while the Canadian Pacific used the term "Dayliners". For more information, click here.