According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there are approximately 5,800 accidents involving cars and trains each year. Most of those accidents happen at railroad crossings. Many drivers don’t…
You’ve probably seen their flashing red lights as you approach the crossing. Maybe you’ve raced to beat the gate arm as it comes down to block you from getting smacked by several thousand tons of rolling freight; next time, don’t do that. Or you may have even heard the dinging bells as you pulled up…
As we honor the anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies in American history, many of us can remember where we were on that fateful day in September nearly two decades ago. Maybe some of us were in school or at work, going to the grocery store or spending time with a loved one. Some…
It was a gorgeous sunny day in September. Schools were in session; the leaves were starting to change colors. It was the perfect day in late summer. All seemed right with the world, and the day was filled with promise. At 8:46 a.m., the entire country would come to a screeching halt as the first…
As the Second World War was drawing to a close, many American’s were longing to return to a time of prosperity and comfort; a time when restrictions were lifted, and they would have the freedom to move about the country. Many were dreaming of what life would be like after the war, mainly how they…
It was the end of the largest war America had ever seen, and many service members were returning home. America’s industry was at its zenith, and Americans were about to enter into a new golden age after nearly two decades of economic depression and war. The railroad played a prominent role in supplying the troops…
Since May 1851, the global community has come together to celebrate each participating country’s industrial and technological achievements in a World’s Fair or Exposition. Every five years, a new country and location are chosen to host an International Expo or World’s Fair. The United States has been home to a World’s Fair 14 times throughout…
Summer is winding down, and August is now upon us. In a normal year, we would be preparing to make the trek down to a special place where we could enjoy whirling rides, the animal barns, a chili cook-off, and funnel cakes that seem tall as the Statue of Liberty! That’s right; we’re talking…
With the summer heat still on the rise, it might be a scorcher out there today. There is nothing like reaching into the freezer for a nice ice cream cone, or a recently thawed steak to throw on the grill or even check in the fridge for a cold beverage. There is no better feeling…
From riding fast on your bike or going down the open road in a convertible, there is nothing better than a swift breeze on a hot summer day. Even train-cars got in on the action. Before the invention of air conditioning or where the technology might not be practical to install, the railroad’s open-air cars…