Early Railroad

Early postcards have always fascinated me. Especially when the subject matter is railroading. I like them best when the trains are in action and traveling through great American landscapes.

Here are a few from my personal collection. The first postcard is postmarked 1922 and shows the SP railroad ferry (info below). The others date between 1900 and 1920.

Southern Pacific Railroad - Ferryboat "Solano" Port Costa
Benicia, California - Largest Ferry Boat in the world.

San Francisco Bay - The San Francisco Belt Railroad had slip at Pier 43 which allowed interchange with the Northwestern Pacific, the Western Pacific, and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroads.

Suisun Bay - The Central Pacific Railroad built a ferry that operated between Benicia and Port Costa, California from 1879 to 1930. (Southern Pacific)

Cape Horn and American River, California
Ogden Route - Southern Pacific Railroad.

Mt. Washington and Mt. Adams from Frankenstein
White Mountains, New Hampshire.

Sacramento River at Shasta Springs, California.

Early Railroad

Early postcards have always fascinated me. Especially when the subject matter is railroading. I like them best when the trains are in action and traveling through great American landscapes.

Here are a few from my personal collection. The first postcard is postmarked 1922 and shows the SP railroad ferry (info below). The others date between 1900 and 1920.

Southern Pacific Railroad - Ferryboat "Solano" Port Costa
Benicia, California - Largest Ferry Boat in the world.

San Francisco Bay - The San Francisco Belt Railroad had slip at Pier 43 which allowed interchange with the Northwestern Pacific, the Western Pacific, and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroads.

Suisun Bay - The Central Pacific Railroad built a ferry that operated between Benicia and Port Costa, California from 1879 to 1930. (Southern Pacific)

Cape Horn and American River, California
Ogden Route - Southern Pacific Railroad.

Mt. Washington and Mt. Adams from Frankenstein
White Mountains, New Hampshire.

Sacramento River at Shasta Springs, California.

Pacific Electric Railway

Electric trolleys first traveled in Los Angeles in 1887. The Pasadena and Pacific Railway was an 1895 merger between the Pasadena and Los Angeles Railway and the Los Angeles Pacific Railway. The Pasadena and Pacific boosted Southern California tourism by living up to its motto "from the mountains to the sea."

During this time, by consolidation of many smaller railroads, the Pacific Electric Railway was established by railroad and real estate tycoon Henry Huntington in 1901. Henry's uncle, Collis P. Huntington, was one of the founders of the Southern Pacific Railroad and had bequeathed Henry a huge fortune upon his death.

Only a few years after the company's formation, most of Pacific Electric stock was purchased by the Southern Pacific Railroad, which Henry Huntington had tried and failed to gain control of a decade earlier. In 1911, Southern Pacific bought out Huntington except for the LARy, the narrow gauge street car system known locally as Yellow Cars, and SP also purchased several other passenger railways that Huntington owned in the Los Angeles area, including the Pasadena and Pacific.

This resulted in what was called the "Great Merger" of 1911. At this time the Pacific Electric became the largest operator of interurban electric railway passenger service in the world with over 1,000 miles of track. The system ran to destinations all over Southern California, particularly to the south and east.

Major 1920s PE business was "taking the Red Car" for inland folks, such as in the Pasadena area, to the beaches at Santa Monica, Del Rey, Manhattan, Redondo, Hermosa Beach and Long Beach in Los Angeles County and to Newport Beach and Huntington Beach in Orange County.

On weekends, extra service beyond the normal schedules was provided, particularly in the late afternoon when everyone wanted to return at the same time. It was good times for residents of the region and good times for profits for the PE as this was the Roaring Twenties.

The Pacific Electric also ran frequent freight trains under electric power throughout its extensive service area (as far as 55 mile distant San Bernardino and 50 mile distant Redlands near Riverside), including operating electrically-powered Railway Post Office routes, one of the few U.S. interurbans to do so. This provided important revenue.

LINK: Much more at the Metro Library and Archive's on Flickr

Pacific Electric Railway

Electric trolleys first traveled in Los Angeles in 1887. The Pasadena and Pacific Railway was an 1895 merger between the Pasadena and Los Angeles Railway and the Los Angeles Pacific Railway. The Pasadena and Pacific boosted Southern California tourism by living up to its motto "from the mountains to the sea."

During this time, by consolidation of many smaller railroads, the Pacific Electric Railway was established by railroad and real estate tycoon Henry Huntington in 1901. Henry's uncle, Collis P. Huntington, was one of the founders of the Southern Pacific Railroad and had bequeathed Henry a huge fortune upon his death.

Only a few years after the company's formation, most of Pacific Electric stock was purchased by the Southern Pacific Railroad, which Henry Huntington had tried and failed to gain control of a decade earlier. In 1911, Southern Pacific bought out Huntington except for the LARy, the narrow gauge street car system known locally as Yellow Cars, and SP also purchased several other passenger railways that Huntington owned in the Los Angeles area, including the Pasadena and Pacific.

This resulted in what was called the "Great Merger" of 1911. At this time the Pacific Electric became the largest operator of interurban electric railway passenger service in the world with over 1,000 miles of track. The system ran to destinations all over Southern California, particularly to the south and east.

Major 1920s PE business was "taking the Red Car" for inland folks, such as in the Pasadena area, to the beaches at Santa Monica, Del Rey, Manhattan, Redondo, Hermosa Beach and Long Beach in Los Angeles County and to Newport Beach and Huntington Beach in Orange County.

On weekends, extra service beyond the normal schedules was provided, particularly in the late afternoon when everyone wanted to return at the same time. It was good times for residents of the region and good times for profits for the PE as this was the Roaring Twenties.

The Pacific Electric also ran frequent freight trains under electric power throughout its extensive service area (as far as 55 mile distant San Bernardino and 50 mile distant Redlands near Riverside), including operating electrically-powered Railway Post Office routes, one of the few U.S. interurbans to do so. This provided important revenue.

LINK: Much more at the Metro Library and Archive's on Flickr

Heartland Rails - USA

Kansas City Southern Railway - EMD FP9 - Elgin, Illinois, October 01, 2009 - Officials from KCS & CP tour the IC&E, seen here in Metra territory headed east at track speed. The VIP's will detrain at Bensenville and presumably take the Gulfstream home.

Iowa, Chicago & Eastern - EMD SD40-2 - Richwood, Wisconsin, October 07, 2009 - An ICE-powered train heads east nearing Watertown.

Amtrak - GE P42DC - Astico, Wisconsin, November 07, 2009 - The Empire Builder has 148 miles left in her trip cross country, running today right on time.

Canadian Pacific Railway - GE ES44AC - Maple Springs, Minnesota, October 11, 2009 - The 198 will run ahead of the steam special, making good time around the curves. It is the hottest train on this subdivision, and today's train is better than 7,000 ft. Of course, try convincing the fans waiting trackside on this day that SP 4449 wasn't the hottest train.

Southern Pacific Railroad - Steam 4-8-4 - CP River sub - Maple Springs, Minnesota, October 11, 2009 - Got glint?

LINK: To see more of Ray Peacock's great railroad photography, visit HearlandRails on the web.

And for those of you who have not seen Rays's other Heartland Rail posts, just click on the Heartland Rails link in the Viewliner Ltd. Index, located in the side bar.

Heartland Rails - USA

Kansas City Southern Railway - EMD FP9 - Elgin, Illinois, October 01, 2009 - Officials from KCS & CP tour the IC&E, seen here in Metra territory headed east at track speed. The VIP's will detrain at Bensenville and presumably take the Gulfstream home.

Iowa, Chicago & Eastern - EMD SD40-2 - Richwood, Wisconsin, October 07, 2009 - An ICE-powered train heads east nearing Watertown.

Amtrak - GE P42DC - Astico, Wisconsin, November 07, 2009 - The Empire Builder has 148 miles left in her trip cross country, running today right on time.

Canadian Pacific Railway - GE ES44AC - Maple Springs, Minnesota, October 11, 2009 - The 198 will run ahead of the steam special, making good time around the curves. It is the hottest train on this subdivision, and today's train is better than 7,000 ft. Of course, try convincing the fans waiting trackside on this day that SP 4449 wasn't the hottest train.

Southern Pacific Railroad - Steam 4-8-4 - CP River sub - Maple Springs, Minnesota, October 11, 2009 - Got glint?

LINK: To see more of Ray Peacock's great railroad photography, visit HearlandRails on the web.

And for those of you who have not seen Rays's other Heartland Rail posts, just click on the Heartland Rails link in the Viewliner Ltd. Index, located in the side bar.

KBF Transport 1950's

3 great 1950's postcards from Knotts Berry Farm. More of my favorite transportation postcards. The text that I have noted is printed on the back of the postcards.

KNOTT'S BERRY FARM - Buena Park, Calif - Showing old time locomotive train, which encircles Farm. Wide eyed tourists, by the thousands, throng here daily.

THE GHOST TOWN and CALICO RAILROAD MEETING THE STAGE COACH --- (The following script is also printed on the back) ...

"As an extra treat during our memorable visit in Ghost Town, we enjoyed a ride on the famous old narrow-gauge Train, formerly noted as the Denver Rio Grande. Talking about excitement - during the trip two hold-up men boarded the train and nearly scared the wits out of the passengers. We also rode in an authentic Stage Coach through the shady grounds surrounding Ghost Town".

THE CABLE CARS - Knott's Berry Farm, Ghost Town, Calif. - Here the visitors can once again ride the famous San Francisco Cable Cars through the parking lots of Knott's Berry Farm.

Editor: Yippee, cable cars through the parking lot.

Scenario:

SON: Look Dad, a 1955 Chevy.
DAD: No Son that's a 1954 Plymouth Station Wagon.
Just like the one we own. Only ours is green!
SON: WOW DAD! Your the greatest!
DAD: (big smile :-) ----- (1950's Folks!)

For those of you who don't know, Knotts did not charge admission to the Farm at this time. So a ride through the parking lot was pretty easy to deal with.

KBF Transport 1950's

3 great 1950's postcards from Knotts Berry Farm. More of my favorite transportation postcards. The text that I have noted is printed on the back of the postcards.

KNOTT'S BERRY FARM - Buena Park, Calif - Showing old time locomotive train, which encircles Farm. Wide eyed tourists, by the thousands, throng here daily.

THE GHOST TOWN and CALICO RAILROAD MEETING THE STAGE COACH --- (The following script is also printed on the back) ...

"As an extra treat during our memorable visit in Ghost Town, we enjoyed a ride on the famous old narrow-gauge Train, formerly noted as the Denver Rio Grande. Talking about excitement - during the trip two hold-up men boarded the train and nearly scared the wits out of the passengers. We also rode in an authentic Stage Coach through the shady grounds surrounding Ghost Town".

THE CABLE CARS - Knott's Berry Farm, Ghost Town, Calif. - Here the visitors can once again ride the famous San Francisco Cable Cars through the parking lots of Knott's Berry Farm.

Editor: Yippee, cable cars through the parking lot.

Scenario:

SON: Look Dad, a 1955 Chevy.
DAD: No Son that's a 1954 Plymouth Station Wagon.
Just like the one we own. Only ours is green!
SON: WOW DAD! Your the greatest!
DAD: (big smile :-) ----- (1950's Folks!)

For those of you who don't know, Knotts did not charge admission to the Farm at this time. So a ride through the parking lot was pretty easy to deal with.

BN Western Star

The Burlington Northern Railroad was the product of a March 2, 1970 merger comprising the Great Northern Railway, the Northern Pacific Railway, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, and the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway.

On December 31, 1996, Burlington Northern merged with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to form the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, whose name was later shortened to BNSF Railway.

Burlington Northern Railroad - EMD E8(A) - Fargo, North Dakota, April, 1971 - The Western Star, a rainbow mix of BN cars, former schemes and current, departs Fargo.

Burlington Northern Railroad - EMD E8(A) - Fargo, North Dakota, April, 1971 - The eastbound Western Star pulls away from Fargo, bound for Minneapolis. Today's consist is a blend of ex GN and ex CB&Q power and equipment.

Burlington Northern Railroad - EMD E8(A) - Fargo, North Dakota, April, 1971 - The eastbound Western Star sits at the fuel racks in Fargo before heading onward.

Burlington Northern Railroad - EMD E8(A) - Fargo, North Dakota, April, 1971 - The Western Star heads in to Fargo with passengers and TOFC's (Trailers On Flat Cars).

LINK: See more great RR photos from Jim Hinkhouse on RailPictures.Net

BN Western Star

The Burlington Northern Railroad was the product of a March 2, 1970 merger comprising the Great Northern Railway, the Northern Pacific Railway, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, and the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway.

On December 31, 1996, Burlington Northern merged with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to form the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, whose name was later shortened to BNSF Railway.

Burlington Northern Railroad - EMD E8(A) - Fargo, North Dakota, April, 1971 - The Western Star, a rainbow mix of BN cars, former schemes and current, departs Fargo.

Burlington Northern Railroad - EMD E8(A) - Fargo, North Dakota, April, 1971 - The eastbound Western Star pulls away from Fargo, bound for Minneapolis. Today's consist is a blend of ex GN and ex CB&Q power and equipment.

Burlington Northern Railroad - EMD E8(A) - Fargo, North Dakota, April, 1971 - The eastbound Western Star sits at the fuel racks in Fargo before heading onward.

Burlington Northern Railroad - EMD E8(A) - Fargo, North Dakota, April, 1971 - The Western Star heads in to Fargo with passengers and TOFC's (Trailers On Flat Cars).

LINK: See more great RR photos from Jim Hinkhouse on RailPictures.Net

SP Steam 4-8-4

Southern Pacific Railroad - Steam 4-8-4 - Dayton's Bluff, Saint Paul, Minnesota, July 18, 2009 - As if on cue, the SP 4449 smokes it up for the onlookers above.

Southern Pacific Railroad - Steam 4-8-4 - Dayton's Bluff, Saint Paul, Minnesota, July 18, 2009 - The character of the steam engine from above.

Southern Pacific Railroad - Steam 4-8-4 - Oil Valley School Road trestle, Wacker, Illinois, July 18, 2009 - On the approach to Chadwick, IL., the SP4449 completes it's climb out of the Mississippi River valley and will soon encounter the hill 'n dale of the west end of the C&I.

LINK: More great railroad photos at HeartlandRails.Com - THANKS RAY !!!

SP Steam 4-8-4

Southern Pacific Railroad - Steam 4-8-4 - Dayton's Bluff, Saint Paul, Minnesota, July 18, 2009 - As if on cue, the SP 4449 smokes it up for the onlookers above.

Southern Pacific Railroad - Steam 4-8-4 - Dayton's Bluff, Saint Paul, Minnesota, July 18, 2009 - The character of the steam engine from above.

Southern Pacific Railroad - Steam 4-8-4 - Oil Valley School Road trestle, Wacker, Illinois, July 18, 2009 - On the approach to Chadwick, IL., the SP4449 completes it's climb out of the Mississippi River valley and will soon encounter the hill 'n dale of the west end of the C&I.

LINK: More great railroad photos at HeartlandRails.Com - THANKS RAY !!!