The Talgo isn't just a novelty...it's a mainstream part of rail transportation around the world. We talk about its history and its impact on US passenger rail.____________Episode Links:1. The Jet Rocket (Streamliner Memories): https://streamlinermemories.info/?p=22622. The John Quincy Adams and Speed Merchant (Streamliner Memories)https://streamlinermemories.info/?p=22833. The history of the unique Talgo trains dynasty (Rolling Stock)https://rollingstockworld.com/passenger-cars/the-history-of-the-unique-talgo-trains-dynasty/4. Talgo (Wikipedia)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talgo_______________ ..read more

Precision Scheduled Railroading has been a lighting rod for the rail industry in recent years. Here, Phil breaks down the history of PSR, and talks about E. Hunter Harrison, a four-time, award-winning rail CEO who was its biggest champion. And thanks to INFORMS for providing great data on this, which is linked below: _________________________ Episode Links: What, Precisely, Is Precision Scheduled Railroading. David Hunt, Oliver Wyman via Informs: https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/INFORMS/e52cec4c-eedb-4c3b-a379-8408d89f8fc9/UploadedImages/2019_Seattle/20191021_INFORMS_RAS_PSR__Hunt ..read more

VIA Rail is Canada's national passenger rail system. Phil talks about why it came about, why it doesn't operate through trains with Amtrak, and why its system isn't very large. ___________ Episode Links: 1. Trackside Treasures: https://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-history-of-via.html 2. VIA Rail Canada Inc. and the Future of Passenger Rail in Canada https://lop.parl.ca/sites/PublicWebsite/default/en_CA/ResearchPublications/201555E _____________________________________________ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AllThingsTrains Website: https://www.allthingstrains.com Rumble: https ..read more

The Auto Train was a great idea, and it did very well...but by 1981 it was bankrupt and out of business. But a white knight was found in Amtrak, specifically W. Graham Claytor, Jr. who was the driving force in resurrecting the train and making it a shining star in the company's fleet of trains.________________________________________________Episode Links: Amtrak's Auto Train by Doug Riddell: https://www.rfandp.org/publications.htmlTheme Trains.com: The Story of the 1971-1981 Auto Train: https://www.themetrains.com/auto-train-main.htm_____________________________________________Patreon: https ..read more

Money. Power. Intrigue. It sounds like the plot line of a great movie, but it's the story of the rail industry for much of the 20th Century, told by Professor Richard Saunders, the author of several in-depth books on railroading and a veteran of the New York Central Railroad during its latter days. Let us know what you think of Merging Lines and if Phil is on the...right track... ________________ Purchase Links: Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/merging-lines-richard-saunders/1132648459 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Merging-Lines-American-Railoads-1900-1970/dp/0875807356 Ra ..read more

Continuing our discussion of intermodal transportation, we discuss the auto-train, which was a revolutionary effort in the 1970s to bring passengers back to the rails. Phil talks a little about why intermodal transportation is needed, how an auto train concept operated in Canada and then the original of the original A-T itself. ___________________ Episode Links: 1. Episode 017: Intermodal Does NOT Mean Sex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Sx4YVHrU9Q 2. Amtrak News, September 15, 1976 https://rb.gy/e22im6 3. Trackside Treasure, Auto With You Survey https://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com/2021 ..read more

No, we're not talking about sex. We're talking about how railroads use multiple modes of transportation to move people and goods. This overview covers the history and some interesting examples, including efforts by the North Shore Line, New Haven, and Commodore Vanderbilt. _________________________ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AllThingsTrains Website: https://www.allthingstrains.com Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-4552931 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AllThingsTrains4022 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllThingsTrains4022/ X: https://twitter.com/AllAboardMedia Instagram: https://www ..read more

We had a great time in Episode 015 talking about electrification in the railroad industry, but we had forgotten to talk about a few of the more interesting ones. This episode covers electrifications on the Virginian and Norfolk & Western Railways in Virginia, the Boston & Maine in Massachusetts, the Detroit, Toledo, & Ironton in Michigan, and how Henry Ford could have changed the rail industry. Subscribe & Share! ________________ Episode Links: 1. (All Things Trains): All Aboard Episode 015: Railroads...America's Biggest User of EVs?!? https://youtu.be/2-DUBZuBP9I 2. (Trains M ..read more

Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been big news lately, but did you know that railroads have long been big users of EVs and are the most prolific users today? Phil talks about why that is and should stay that way.Hit the like button and subscribe!! And thanks to all of our fellow #RobberBarons out there! ______________ Show Links: 1. (EDN.com) Edison’s 1st test of electric railway, May 13, 1880: https://www.edn.com/edisons-1st-test-of-electric-railway-may-13-1880/ 2. (Wikipedia) Baltimore Belt Line--discusses B&O's Baltimore electrification https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Belt_Line 3. E ..read more

When anyone mentions diversification by railroads, someone always gets upset. Phil talks about what diversification is, examples of railroads who did it, including the Penn Central (and how it relates to Donald Trump!) and the curious case of Norfolk Southern... ______________ Episode Links: 1. Tickets to see All Things Trains @ The Greenberg Train & Toy Show in Richmond, VA (January 20-21, 2024 at 600 Laburnum Ave. Richmond, VA 23222): https://checkout.eventcreate.com/richmond01-24/select-buy 2. (Railway Age): FRA Reviews GC, HOG Petition to Pilot Parallel Systems Technology: https://www ..read more