Episode – Railfanning.org

What If New York City Built a Subway 30 Years Earlier?

September 3, 2025 Railfanning.org

What if New York City had built a subway 30 years earlier? Imagine they did and took mere minutes to ride across the city in a pneumatic tube. Award-winning author and public radio host Matthew Algeo’s new book, “New York’s Secret Subway: The Underground Genius of Alfred Beach and the Origins of Mass Transit” (Island Press, Sept. 30, 2025, $35), explores the riveting, real-life story of Alfred Beach, a visionary inventor who constructed America’s first operational subway, in secret, beneath the streets of 1860s Manhattan. He joined Railfanning Review to discuss the plan and New York City of the era.

Oddities on the Georgia Rails (Part II)

February 4, 2025 Railfanning.org

In mid-December, Todd DeFeo, publisher and editor of Railfaning.org, presented “Oddities on the Georgia Rails” to the Georgia Archives. This is the second episode in a series of podcasts based on that presentation

Oddities on the Georgia Rails (Part I)

January 22, 2025 Railfanning.org

In mid-December, Todd DeFeo, publisher and editor of Railfaning.org, presented “Oddities on the Georgia Rails” to the Georgia Archives.

People and Places of the Western & Atlantic Railroad: Episode 2: Dalton, Georgia

October 24, 2024 Railfanning.org

For this second episode of “People and Places of the Western & Atlantic Railroad,” we’re in historic Dalton, Georgia. Today, we focus on the railroad and its role shaping this North Georgia city.

A Brief History of Streetcars in Athens, Georgia

April 30, 2024 Railfanning.org

Athens, Georgia, once boasted a robust streetcar network, and streetcars operated in the college town for about 45 years.

People and Places of the Western & Atlantic Railroad: Episode 1: Smyrna, Georgia

February 26, 2024 Railfanning.org

For this first episode of “People and Places of the Western & Atlantic Railroad,” we’re in the historic Smyrna Memorial Cemetery in Smyrna, Georgia, not far from the Western & Atlantic Railroad.

Railfanning Review: Death on the Rails (Part II)

December 31, 2023 Railfanning.org

In an earlier episode, I introduced my talk on “Death on the Rails,” a look at the many ways death might befall people on the rails, whether they were workers, passengers or innocent bystanders.

Railfanning Review: Campaign Trains: A Conversation with Author Edward Segal

December 8, 2023 Railfanning.org

I had the opportunity to speak with author Edward Segal, whose new book highlights the history of campaign trains. Segal has compiled a fascinating narrative, giving insight into one of the most overlooked aspects of railroad and political history: how candidates traveled.

Railfanning Review: Death on the Rails (Part I)

November 28, 2023 Railfanning.org

Recently, I gave a presentation titled “Death on the Rails.” It was an interesting look at railroad calamities across the years. It’s the kind of topic one could talk about for hours. I had 45 minutes.

Railfanning Review: Cobb County’s Commuter Railroad: The Atlanta Northern Railway

October 7, 2022 Railfanning.org

Earlier this year, I spoke to the Georgia Archives about my book on the Atlanta Northern Railway. I took an opportunity to focus on some happenings that I researched at the state archives and the difficulty in determining the facts of history.