October 2012 – Page 2 – Railfanning.org

Railroads’ Humble Beginning (Part III)

October 3, 2012 Todd DeFeo

Across the Atlantic Ocean, the United States was keeping pace with its British counterparts.

The End of the Southern’s Crescent

October 2, 2012 Todd DeFeo

While Amtrak started its operations in 1971, not all railroads gave up passenger service. Southern Railways’ Crescent route between New York and New Orleans was once such example.

Railroads’ Humble Beginning (Part II)

October 2, 2012 Todd DeFeo

In 1772, Oliver Evans created a 21-ton boat on wheels that could travel on both land and water. The vehicle boasted a paddle that helped it glide across the water. A steam engine helped it ride along the land.

Canadian Pacific Announces the Departure of Mike Franczak

October 1, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

CALGARY, Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Canadian Pacific Railway (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) today announced that Mike Franczak, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, has resigned from Canadian Pacific, effective today. Mike joined CP in 1987 and has since advanced through a series of operating positions of increasing accountability and scope across CP’s network. “I wish to congratulate Mike on his distinguished career and thank him for his 25 years of dedication to CP and its customers,” said CEO E. Hunter Harrison. “Mike served the company well in all areas for which he had responsibility. We wish him success

The Brief Tenure of the Illinois Central Gulf in Middle Tennessee

October 1, 2012 Todd DeFeo

After the Tennessee Central wrapped up its operations on Aug. 31, 1968, some of the railroad’s locomotives were parked in Hopkinsville, Ky., news accounts suggest. The next day, the Illinois Central assumed the line’s operations between Hopkinsville and Nashville, Tenn.

Railroads’ Humble Beginning (Part I)

October 1, 2012 Todd DeFeo

The earliest railroads looked little like their modern ancestors. Beyond the rails and wheels on cars, they had little in common. They couldn’t haul the huge loads that today’s railroads can and their mode of power was either man or animal, usually horse or ox.