History – Page 12 – Railfanning.org

Antebellum railroad tunnel still a marvel after all these years

June 22, 2009 Todd DeFeo

Crews building the Western & Atlantic Railroad from Atlanta to Chattanooga, Tenn., faced a number of natural obstacles. None, however, were as foreboding as Chetoogeta Mountain.

The former home of Casey Jones, perhaps the most famous locomotive engineer, is now a museum.

Get in touch with Casey Jones and Jackson’s railroad past

April 30, 2009 Todd DeFeo

When Casey Jones’ locomotive crashed near Vaughn, Miss., he vaulted into history and American folklore.

Japan’s railroad history doesn’t begin with the Shinkansen

April 29, 2009 Todd DeFeo

The Shinkansen glides swiftly along the rails that crisscross Japan. The high-speed bullet trains that whisk travelers from one side of Japan to the other are an icon of the country and a model for high-speed rail.

WDW Classics: It started with a steam train

April 20, 2009 Todd DeFeo

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – It’s no coincidence that the first attraction to greet guests of the Magic Kingdom is the railroad. After all, trains played such an important role in Walt Disney’s life – even Mickey Mouse was created on a train. Disney’s first foray into live steam locomotives came about in 1950 – five years before Disneyland opened. In July of that year, Disney completed The Carolwood Pacific Railroad, a 1/8 size live steam train layout he built in his backyard. When he decided to build Disneyland, Disney, with the help of fellow railfans Ward Kimball and Ollie

Marking the anniversary of The Andrews Raid

April 12, 2009 Todd DeFeo

For anyone looking to take advantage of the spring weather, today marks the 147th anniversary of the Andrews Raid.

Kingston: The turning point of the Andrews Raid

March 9, 2009 Todd DeFeo

Railroad travel was very different during the Civil War, and stops were frequent. In some cases, a town’s sole livelihood was the railroad.

‘Big Shanty, 20 minutes for breakfast’

February 19, 2009 Todd DeFeo

The General steam locomotive pulled the morning passenger train, winding its way through the rural Georgia countryside. Shortly before 6 a.m. on a rainy morning, Engineer Jeff Cain blew the locomotive’s whistle to signal that Big Shanty was approaching.

Standing where the raiders once stood

February 13, 2009 Railfanning.org

MARIETTA, Ga. – The Kennesaw House is an impressive building, even by today’s standards. But its role in one of the most fascinating events of the Civil War is what makes it truly unique. Built in 1845 as a cotton warehouse, it is one of the oldest buildings in Marietta, and it has witnessed a lot over the years. After serving as a warehouse for some time, the building was converted into the Fletcher House Hotel, and on April 11, 1862, with the Civil War in Full Swing, the Fletcher House unknowingly played host to a group of Union spies

‘The most extraordinary and astounding adventure’

January 24, 2009 Todd DeFeo

Trains still roar past the Kennesaw House located between the city square and the railroad tracks a block away. Turn back the clock 145 years to April 12, 1862, and the Kennesaw House was the stepping off point for one of the more intriguing episodes of the Civil War.

Tennessee Railroad Strike: 140 Years Later

February 6, 2008 Todd DeFeo

Today marks the 140th anniversary of an obscure railroad strike in Clarksville, Tenn.