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Atchison, Topeka And Santa Fe Railway

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the largest railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859. Although the railway was named in part for the capital of New Mexico, its main line never reached there as the terrain made it too difficult to lay the necessary tracks (Santa Fe was ultimately served by a branch line from Lamy, New Mexico). The Santa Fe's first tracks reached the Kansas/Colorado state line in 1873, and connected to Pueblo, Colorado in 1876. In order to help fuel the railroad's profitability, the Santa Fe set up real estate offices and sold farm land from the land grants that the railroad was awarded by Congress; these new farms would create a demand for transportation (both freight and passenger service) that was, quite conveniently, offered by the Santa Fe.

History

Startup and initial growth

Congress The railroad's charter, written single-handedly by Cyrus K. Holliday in January 1859, was approved by the state's governor on February 11 of that year as the Atchison and Topeka Railroad Company for the purpose of building a rail line from Topeka, Kansas, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and then on to the Gulf of Mexico. On May 3, 1863, two years after Kansas gained statehood, the railroad changed names to more closely match the aspirations of its founder to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. The railroad broke ground in Topeka on October 30, 1868 and started building westward where one of the first construction tasks was to cross the Kaw River. The first section of track opened on April 26, 1869 (less than a month prior to completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad) with special trains between Topeka and Pauline. The distance was only 6 miles (10 km), but the Wakarusa Creek Picnic Special train took passengers over the route for celebration in Pauline. Crews continued working westward, reaching Dodge City on September 5 1872. With this connection, the Santa Fe was able to compete for cattle transportation with the Kansas Pacific Railway. Construction continued, and the Santa Fe opened the last section of track between Topeka and the Colorado/Kansas border on December 23 1873. The Santa Fe's tracks reached Pueblo, Colorado on March 1 1876. Serving Pueblo opened a number of new freight opportunities for the railroad as it now could haul coal from Colorado eastward. coal.]] Building across Kansas and eastern Colorado may have been technologically simple as there weren't many large natural obstacles in the way (certainly not as many as the railroad was about to encounter further west), but the Santa Fe found it almost economically impossible because of the sparse population in the area. To combat this problem, the Santa Fe set up real estate offices in the area and vigorously promoted settlement across Kansas on the land that was granted to the railroad by Congress in 1863. The Santa Fe offered discounted passenger fares to anyone who travelled west on the railroad to inspect the land; if the land was subsequently purchased by the traveller, the railroad applied the passenger's ticket price toward the sale of the land. Now that the railroad had built across the plains and had a customer base providing income for the firm, it was time for the railroad to tackle the difficult terrain of the Rocky Mountains.

Crossing the Rockies, competition with the Rio Grande

Construction over the Rocky Mountains was slow, difficult and went as far as armed conflict with competitors such as the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in Colorado and New Mexico, and after capturing Raton Pass, the Southern Pacific Railroad in Arizona and California. The troubles for the railroad were more than just skirmishes with competitors. In the late 1880s, George C. Magoun, who had worked his way to become Chairman of the Board of Directors for the railroad, was progressively losing his own health. In 1889 the railroad's stock price, which was closely linked in the public's eye with the successes of the railroad's chairman, fell from nearly $140 per share to around $20 per share. Magoun's health continued to deteriorate along with the stock price and Magoun died on December 20 1893. The Santa Fe entered receivership three days later on December 23 1893, with J. W. Reinhart, John J. McCook and Joseph C. Wilson appointed as receivers. Joseph C. Wilson (top) and the Santa Fe Railroad (bottom).]]

Expansion through mergers

Joseph C. Wilson promotional publication "Along Your Way."]] A brief look at some key figures comparing the railroad's extent between 1870 and 1945 shows just how much the railroad had grown: :Source: Santa Fe Railroad (1945), Along Your Way, Rand McNally, Chicago, Illinois.

The failed SPSF merger

1945.]] The Southern Pacific Santa Fe Railroad (SPSF) was a proposed merger between the parent companies of the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe railroads announced on December 23, 1983. As a part of the joining of the two firms, all of the rail and non-rail assets owned by Santa Fe Industries and the Southern Pacific Transportation Company was placed under the control of a holding company, the Santa Fe–Southern Pacific Corporation. The merger was subsequently denied by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) on the basis that it would create too many duplicate routes. The companies were so confident that the merger would be be approved they began repainting locomotives and non-revenue rolling stock in a new unified paint scheme. After the ICC's denial, railfans joked that SPSF really stood for "Shouldn't Paint So Fast". While the Southern Pacific was sold off, all of the California real estate holdings were consolidated in a new company, Catellus Development Corporation, making it the State's largest private land owner. Some time later, Catellus would purchase the Union Pacific Railroad's interest in the Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal (LAUPT).

Merger into BNSF

On December 31, 1996 the ATSF merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad to form the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway. Some of the challenges resulting from the joining of the two companies included the establishment of a common dispatching system, the unionizaton of Santa Fe's non-union dispatchers, and incorporating the Santa Fe's train identification codes throughout.

Company officers

Presidents of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway: Burlington Northern Railroad
- Cyrus K. Holliday: 1860–1863
- Samuel C. Pomeroy: 1863–1868
- William F. Nast: September 1868
- H. C. Lord: 1868–1869
- Henry Keyes: 1869–1870
- Ginery Twichell: 1870–1873
- Henry Strong: 1873–1874
- Thomas Nickerson: 1874–1880
- T. Jefferson Coolidge: 1880–1881
- William Barstow Strong: 1881–1889
- Allen Manvel: 1889–1893
- Joseph Reinhart: 1893–1894
- Aldace F. Walker: 1894–1895
- Edward Payson Ripley: 1896–1920
- William Benson Storey: 1920–1933
- Samuel T. Bledsoe: 1933–1939
- Edward J. Engel: 1939–1944
- Fred G. Gurley: 1944–1958
- Ernest S. Marsh: 1958–1967
- John Shedd Reed: 1967–1986
- W. John Swartz: 1986–1989
- Mike Haverty: 1989–1995

Passenger train service

1995 passenger timetable. Vignettes of the American Southwest and Native American people were common in Santa Fe advertising.]] The Santa Fe was widely known for its passenger train service in the first half of the 20th century. The Santa Fe introduced many innovations in passenger rail travel, among these the "Pleasure Domes" of the Super Chief (billed as the "...only dome car[s] between Chicago and Los Angeles" when they were introduced in 1951) and the "Big Dome"-Lounge cars and double-decker "Hi-Level" cars of the El Capitan, which entered revenue service in 1954. The Santa Fe was among the first railroads to add dining cars to its passenger train consists in 1891, following the examples of the Northern Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads. Dining along the Santa Fe was often a memorable experience, whether it be on-board in a dining car, or at one of the many Harvey House restaurants that were strategically located throughout the system. In general, the same train name was used for both directions of a particular train. The exceptions to this rule included the Chicagoan and Kansas Cityan trains (both names referred to the same service, but the Chicagoan was the eastbound version, while the Kansas Cityan was the westbound version), and the Eastern Express and West Texas Express. All of the Santa Fe's trains that terminated in Chicago did so at Dearborn Station. Trains terminating in Los Angeles arrived at Santa Fe's La Grande Station until May, 1939 when the Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal (LAUPT) was opened. To reach smaller communities, the railroad often operated Rail Diesel Cars (RDCs) for communities on the railroad, and bus connections were provided throughout the system via Santa Fe Trailways buses to other locations. These smaller trains generally were not named, only the train numbers were used to differentiate services.

Regular revenue trains

Santa Fe Trailways" logos bearing the names of its trains. In terminals such as Dearborn Station, bumper posts carried the logos as well, a practice that continued long after the railroad removed observations from its roster.]] The Santa Fe operated the following named trains on regular schedules:
- The Angel: San Francisco, California - Los Angeles, California - San Diego, California
- The Angelo: San Angelo, Texas - Fort Worth, Texas (on the GC&SF)
- The Antelope: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Kansas City, Missouri
- Atlantic Express: Los Angeles, California - Kansas City, Missouri (this was the eastbound version of the Los Angeles Express).
- California Express: Chicago, Illinois - Kansas City, Missouri - Los Angeles, California
- California Fast Mail: Chicago, Illinois - Los Angeles, California - San Francisco, California
- California Limited: Chicago, Illinois - San Francisco, California (via Los Angeles)
- California Special: Los Angeles, California - Clovis, New Mexico
- Cavern: Clovis, New Mexico - Carlsbad, New Mexico (connected with the Scout).
- Centennial State: Denver, Colorado - Chicago, Illinois
- Central Texas Express: Sweetwater, Texas - Lubbock, Texas
- Chicagoan: Kansas City, Missouri - Chicago, Illinois (this was the eastbound version of the Kansas Cityan passenger train).
- Chicago Express: Newton, Kansas - Chicago, Illinois
- Chicago Fast Mail: San Francisco, California - Los Angeles, California - Chicago, Illinois
- Chicago-Kansas City Flyer: Chicago, Illinois - Kansas City, Missouri
- The Chief: Chicago, Illinois - Los Angeles, California
- Eastern Express: Lubbock, Texas - Amarillo, Texas (this was the eastbound version of the West Texas Express).
- El Capitan: Chicago, Illinois - Los Angeles, California
- El Pasoan: El Paso, Texas - Albuquerque, New Mexico
- El Tovar: Los Angeles, California - Chicago, Illinois (via Belen)
- Fargo Fast Mail/Express: Belen, New Mexico - Amarillo, Texas - Kansas City, Missouri - Chicago, Illinois
- Fast Fifteen: Newton, Kansas - Galveston, Texas
- Fast Mail Express: San Francisco, California (via Los Angeles) - Chicago, Illinois
- Golden Gate: Oakland, California - Bakersfield, California
- Grand Canyon Limited: Chicago, Illinois - Los Angeles, California
- The Hopi: Los Angeles, California - Chicago, Illinois
- Kansas Cityan: Chicago, Illinois - Kansas City, Missouri (this was the westbound version of the Chicagoan passenger train).
- Kansas City Chief: Kansas City, Missouri - Chicago, Illinois
- Los Angeles Express: Chicago, Illinois - Los Angeles, California (this was the westbound version of the Atlantic Express).
- The Missionary: San Francisco, California - Belen, New Mexico - Amarillo, Texas - Kansas City, Missouri - Chicago, Illinois
- Navajo: Chicago, Illinois - San Francisco, California (via Los Angeles) Navajo. Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his "sidekick" Mortimer Snerd pose in the cab of Santa Fe #51L, an ALCO PA unit, to mark its delivery to the railroad in 1946.]]
- Oil Flyer: Kansas City, Missouri - Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Overland Limited: Chicago, Illinois - Los Angeles, California
- Phoenix Express: Los Angeles, California - Phoenix, Arizona
- The Ranger: Kansas City, Missouri - Chicago, Illinois
- The Saint: San Diego, California - Los Angeles, California - San Francisco, California
- San Diegan: Los Angeles, California - San Diego, California
- San Francisco Chief: San Francisco, California (via Los Angeles) - Chicago, Illinois
- San Francisco Express: Chicago, Illinois - San Francisco, California (via Los Angeles)
- Santa Fe de Luxe: Chicago, Illinois - Los Angeles, California - San Francisco, California
- Santa Fe Eight: Belen, New Mexico - Amarillo, Texas - Kansas City, Missouri - Chicago, Illinois
- The Scout: Chicago, Illinois - San Francisco, California (via Los Angeles)
- South Plains Express: Sweetwater, Texas - Lubbock, Texas
- Super Chief: Chicago, Illinois - Los Angeles, California
- The Texan: Houston, Texas - New Orleans, Louisiana (on the GC&SF between Houston and Galveston, then via the Missouri Pacific Railroad between Galveston and New Orleans).
- Texas Chief: Dallas, Texas - Chicago, Illinois
- Tourist Flyer: Chicago, Illinois - San Francisco, California (via Los Angeles)
- The Tulsan: Tulsa, Oklahoma - Chicago, Illinois
- Valley Flyer: Oakland, California - Bakersfield, California
- West Texas Express: Amarillo, Texas - Lubbock, Texas (this was the westbound version of the Eastern Express). West Texas Express.]] West Texas Express.]]

One-time and special trains

Occasionally, a special train was chartered to make a high-profile run over the Santa Fe's track. These specials were not included in the railroad's regular revenue service lineup, but were intended as one-time (and usually one-way) traversals of the railroad. Some of the more notable specials include:
- Cheney Special: Colton, California - Chicago, Illinois (a one-time train that ran in 1895 on behalf of B.P. Cheney, a director of the Santa Fe).
- Clark Special: Winslow, Arizona - Chicago, Illinois (a one-time train that ran in 1904 on behalf of Charles W. Clarke, the son of then Arizona senator William Andrew Clark).
- David B. Jones Special: Lake Forest, Illinois - Los Angeles, California (a one-time, record-breaking train that ran in 1923 on behalf of the president of the Mineral Point Zinc Company).
- Death Valley Scotty Special: Los Angeles, California - Chicago, Illinois (the most well-known of Santa Fe's "specials," also known as the Death Valley Coyote or Coyote Special; a one-time, record-breaking train that ran in 1905, essentially as a publicity stunt).
- H.P. Lowe Special: Chicago, Illinois - Los Angeles, California (a one-time, record-breaking train that ran in 1903 on behalf of the president of the Engineering Company of America).
- Huntington Special: Argentine, Kansas - Chicago, Illinois (a one-time train that ran in 1899 on behalf of Collis P. Huntington).
- Miss Nellie Bly Special: San Francisco, California - Chicago, Illinois (a one-time, record-breaking train that ran in 1890 on behalf of Nellie Bly, a reporter for the New York World newspaper).
- Peacock Special: Los Angeles, California - Chicago, Illinois (a one-time train that ran in 1900 on behalf of A.R. Peacock, vice-president of the Carnegie Steel & Iron Company).
- Wakarusa Creek Picnic Special: Topeka, Kansas - Pauline, Kansas (a one-time train that took picnickers on a 30-minute trip, at a speed of 14 miles-per-hour, to celebrate the official opening of the line on April 26, 1869).

Paint schemes & markings

Steam locomotives

1869 siding to meet an eastbound train in March, 1943.]] 1943 originally built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1927, passes through San Bernardino in January, 1999.]]

Diesel locomotives, passenger

1999.]] 1999 Santa Fe's first set of diesel-electric passenger locomotives was placed in service on the Super Chief in 1936, and consisted of a pair of blunt-nosed units (EMD 1800 hp B-B) designated as Nos. 1 and 1A. The upper portion of the sides and ends of the units were painted gold, while the lower section was a dark olive green color; an olive stripe also ran along the sides and widened as it crossed the front of the locomotive. Riveted to the sides of the units were metal plaques bearing a large "Indian Head" logo, which owed its origin to the 1926 Chief "drumhead" logo. "Super Chief" was emblazoned on a plaque located on the front. The rooftop was light slate gray, rimmed by a red pinstripe. This unique combination of colors was referred to as the Golden Olive paint scheme [http://www.divisionpoint.com/photos/AT&SF_1spot/DP-3004-1Apilot.jpg] [http://www.divisionpoint.com/photos/AT&SF_1spot/DP-3004-1Apilotdetail.jpg]. Before entering service, Sterling McDonald's General Motors "Styling Department" augmented the look with the addition of red and blue striping along both the sides and ends of the units in order to enhance their appearance. In a little over a year the EMD E1 (a new and improved streamlined locomotive) would be pulling Super Chief and other passenger consists, resplendent in the now-famous Warbonnet paint scheme devised by Leland Knickerbocker of the GM "Art and Color Section." Reminiscent of a Native American ceremonial headdress, the scheme consisted of a red "bonnet" which wrapped around the front of the unit, that was bordered by a yellow stripe and black pinstripe. The extent of the bonnet varied according to the locomotive model, and was largely determined by the shape and length of the carbody. The remainder of the unit was either painted silver or was comprised of stainless steel panels. All units wore a nose emblem consisting of an elongated yellow "Circle & Cross" emblem with integral "tabs" on the nose and the sides, outlined and accented with black pinstripes, with variances according to the locomotive model. "SANTA FE" was displayed on the horizontal limb of the cross in black, Art Deco-style lettering. This emblem has come to be known as the "cigar band" due to its uncanny resemblance to the same. On all but the "Erie-built" units (which were essentially run as a demonstrator set), U28CGs, U30CGs, and FP45s, a three-part yellow and black stripe ran up the nose behind the band. A "Circle & Cross" motif (consisting of a yellow field, with red quadrants, outlined in black) was painted around the side windows on "as-delivered" E1 units. Similar designs were added to E3s, E6s, the DL109/110 locomotive set, and ATSF 1A after it was rebuilt and repainted. The sides of the units typically bore the words "SANTA FE" in black, 5"– or 9"–high extra extended Railroad Roman letters, as well as the "Indian Head" logo [http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=113871] [http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=113864], with a few notable exceptions. Railway identity on diesel locomotives in passenger service: Source: Pelouze, Richard W. (1997). Trademarks of the Santa Fe Railway. The Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society, Inc., Highlands Ranch, CO. pp. 47–50. In later years, Santa Fe adapted the scheme to its gas-electric "doodlebug" units [http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=97719]. The standard for all of Santa Fe's passenger locomotives, the Warbonnet is considered by many to be the most recognized corporate logo in the railroad industry. Early in the Amtrak Era, Santa Fe embarked on a program to paint over the red bonnet on its F units that were still engaged in hauling passenger consists with yellow (also called Yellowbonnets) or dark blue (nicknamed Bluebonnets) as it no longer wanted to project the image of a passenger carrier. Image:Santa Fe F7 300C.jpg|Santa Fe #300C, an EMD F7A unit photographed in 1972, wears the conventional Warbonnet scheme. Due to space limitations, the "Indian Head" logo was omitted from FA units. Image:ATSF Indian Head logo - F7B Unit Passenger Dec 76.jpg|An EMD F7B unit, photographed in December, 1976 carries the Santa Fe "Indian Head" logo. "SANTA FE" was added to FB units, below and just behind the icon, in 1954. Image:ATSF 358 GE U28CG San Diego CA 1968.jpg|A GE U28CG displays a variation in the standard Warbonnet passenger scheme. Note that the "Santa Fe" logotype is displayed in large, red "billboard"-style letters and the lack of yellow and black striping. Image:EMD F45 Santa Fe.jpg|Santa Fe #95, an EMD FP45 decked out in Warbonnet colors, including the traditional "cigar band" nose emblem. Its "as-delivered" paint job had "SANTA FE" in black, 9"-high Railroad Roman letters along each side.

Diesel locomotives, freight

EMD FP45 model RS-2) now bears the [http://www.sdrm.org/roster/diesel/d-2098/index.html #2098] and the AT&SF Zebra Stripe paint scheme.]] Diesel locomotives used in freight service (with the exception of streamlined units) between 1934 and 1960 were painted black, with a thin white or silver accent stripe and diagonal white or silver stripes painted on the ends and cab sides to increase the visibility at grade crossings (typically referred to as the Zebra Stripe scheme). The letters "A.T.& S.F." were applied in a small font to the sides of the unit just above the accent stripe, with the standard blue and white "SANTA FE" logo below. The years 1960 to 1972 saw non-streamlined freight locomotives sporting the Billboard color scheme (sometimes referred to as the Pinstripe scheme) wherein the units were predominately dark blue with yellow ends and trim, with a single yellow accent pinstripe. The words "Santa Fe" were applied in yellow in a large serif font (logotype) to the sides of the locomotive below the accent stripe (save for yard switchers which displayed the "SANTA FE" in small yellow letters above the accent stripe, somewhat akin to the Zebra Stripe arrangement). From 1972 to 1996, and even on into the BNSF era, the company adopted a new paint scheme often known among railfans as the Yellowbonnet which placed more yellow on the locomotives (reminiscent of the company's retired Warbonnet scheme), the goal again to ensure higher visibility at grade crossings. The truck assemblies, previously colored black, now received silver paint. In June, 1989 Santa Fe resurrected the Warbonnet and applied the scheme in a modified fashion to two EMD FP45 units, #5992 and #5998 (this time, displaying "Santa Fe" in large, "billboard"-style red letters across the side). The units were re-designated as #101 and #102 and reentered service on July 4, 1989 as part of the new "Super Fleet" (the first Santa Fe units to be so decorated for freight service). The six remaining FP45 units were thereafter similarly repainted and renumbered. From that point forward, all new locomotives wore the red and silver, and many retained this scheme after the Burlington Northern Santa Fe merger, some with "BNSF" displayed across their sides. Image:Santa Fe GP-35 -3332.jpg|Santa Fe #3332, an EMD GP35, displays the blue and yellow Billboard freight color scheme as it climbs out of the Cajon Junction in 1977. Image:Santa Fe FP45 5923.jpg|EMD FP45s, such as Santa Fe #5923 (shown here in 1972) wore the Billboard blue and yellow in much the same manner as Santa Fe's F units did. Image:Santa CF-7 2509.jpg|Santa Fe #2509, a CF7 locomotive that has been repainted in the Yellowbonnet freight livery, pauses in Santa Ana, California in 1976. Image:ATSF 943 Williams Junction AZ October 1994.jpg|A trio of General Electric "Dash 8" locomotives are resplendent in the silver and red Warbonnet paint scheme of the Santa Fe's "Super Fleet" (SRS) in October, 1994. Several experimental and commemorative paint schemes emerged during the Santa Fe's diesel era. One combination was developed and partially implemented in anticipation of a merger between the parent companies of the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific (SP) railroads in 1984. The red, yellow, and black paint scheme (with large red block letters "SF" on the sides and ends of the units) of the proposed Southern Pacific Santa Fe Railroad (SPSF) has come to be somewhat derisively known among railfans as the Kodachrome livery due to the similarity in colors to the boxes containing slide film sold by the Eastman Kodak Company under the same name (Kodachrome film was one of the preferred brands in use by railfans). A common joke among railfans is that "SPSF" really stands for "Shouldn't Paint So Fast." Though the merger application was subsequently denied by the ICC, locomotives bearing this color scheme can still be found occasionally in lease service. ICC ICC, leads the Super C high-speed intermodal train.]]

References

- Baker Library Historical Collections, [http://www.library.hbs.edu/hc/sfa/atchison,_topeka.htm Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Records, 1879-1896]. Retrieved May 10 2005.
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- The Cosmopolitan (February 1893), [http://www.catskillarchive.com/rrextra/statsf.Html The Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe]. Retrieved May 10 2005.
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- Gibson, Elizabeth (July 16 2002), [http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/old_west/93512 The Old West - The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe (Part 1)]. Retrieved May 13 2005.
- Gibson, Elizabeth (July 23 2002), [http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/old_west/93514 The Old West - The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe (Part 2)]. Retrieved May 10 2005.
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- Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University (2004), [http://www.pratt.duke.edu/alumni/profiles_swartz.php Alumni Profiles: W. John Swartz]. Retrieved May 11 2005.
- Santa Fe Railroad (1945), Along Your Way, Rand McNally, Chicago, Illinois.
- Santa Fe Railroad (November 29 1942), Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway System Time Tables, Rand McNally and Company, Chicago, Illinois.
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External links

- [http://www.bnsf.com/ Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway] official website
- [http://www.csrmf.org/ California State Railway Museum] official website
- [http://www.titchenal.com/atsf/ayw1946/ "Along Your Way", 1946 edition]
- [http://www.sbrhs.org/history.html History of Santa Fe 4-8-4 #3751] at the [http://www.sbrhs.org/ San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society] official website
- [http://www.atsfry.com Russell Crump's Santa Fe Archives] — a very extensive set of resources for Santa Fe history.
- [http://atsf.railfan.net/atsfpres/ Santa Fe Preserved Locomotives]
- [http://www.trainweb.org/jssand/Captive/CapSFPass.htm Santa Fe Preserved Passenger Cars]
- [http://www.atsfrr.com/ Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society] official website
- [http://www.atsfrr.com/resources/Haben/Life/5-19-47.htm "Diesel Locomotives"] article from the May 18, 1947 issue of Life Magazine featuring the Santa Fe fleet.

List of United States railroads

There are approximately 150,000 miles (240,000 km) of railroad track in the United States, nearly all standard gauge. The following is a partial list of United States railroads which currently operate there. For former railroads, see List of defunct United States railroads.

Class I railroads

- BNSF Railway (BNSF) [http://www.bnsf.com/]
- CSX Transportation (CSXT) [http://www.csx.com/]
- Grand Trunk Corporation (GTW) (holding company owning all U.S. railroads controlled by the Canadian National Railway)
- Kansas City Southern Railway (KCS) [http://www.kcsi.com/]
- Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) [http://www.nscorp.com/]
- Soo Line Railroad (SOO) (controlled by the Canadian Pacific Railway)
- Union Pacific Railroad (UP) [http://www.uprr.com/]

Regional railroads

- Alabama and Gulf Coast Railway (AGR) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/AGR.htm]
- Alaska Railroad (ARR) [http://www.akrr.com/]
- Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad (BLE)
- Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad (BPRR) [http://www.gwrr.com/default.cfm?action=rail§ion=3B3a]
- Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad (CORP) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/CORP.htm]
- Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad (DME) [http://www.dmerail.com/]
- Dakota, Missouri Valley and Western Railroad
- Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway (DMIR)
- Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway (EJE) [http://www.tstarinc.com/eje/]
- Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) [http://www.feci.com/transportation.html]
- Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad (ICE) [http://www.icerail.com]
- Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) [http://www.iaisrr.com/]
- Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad (CKRY) [http://www.watcocompanies.com/Railroads/ko/ko.htm]
- Kyle Railroad (KYLE) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/KYLE.htm]
- Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad (MNA) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/MNA.htm]
- Montana Rail Link (MRL) [http://www.montanarail.com/]
- Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway (MMA) [http://www.mmarail.com/]
- Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado RailNet (NKCR)
- New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYSW) [http://www.nysw.com/]
- Northern Plains Railroad
- Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) [http://www.palrr.com/]
- Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad (PCC) [http://www.watcocompanies.com/Railroads/blmr_pcc/blmr_pcc.htm]
- Portland and Western Railroad (PNWR) [http://www.gwrr.com/default.cfm?action=rail§ion=3B4a]
- Providence and Worcester Railroad (PW) [http://www.pwrr.com/]
- Red River Valley and Western Railroad (RRVW) [http://www.rrvw.net/]
- South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad (SKOL) [http://www.watcocompanies.com/Railroads/sekr_skol/sekr_skol.htm]
- Springfield Terminal Railway (ST) [http://www.guilfordrail.com/] (operates the Guilford Rail System)
- Texas Mexican Railway (TM)
- Texas Pacifico Transportation
- Tuscola and Saginaw Bay Railway (TSBY) [http://www.tsbrailway.com/]
- Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway (WE) [http://www.wlerwy.com/]
- Wisconsin and Southern Railroad (WSOR) [http://www.wsorrailroad.com/]

Local railroads

- Aberdeen, Carolina and Western Railway (ACWR) [http://www.acwr.com/]
- Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad (AR) [http://www.aberdeen-rockfish.com/]
- Acadiana Railway (AKDN)
- Albany and Eastern Railroad (AERC) [http://www.albanyeastern.com/pages/1/index.htm]
- Alexander Railroad (ARC) [http://www.cs.utah.edu/~zachary/arc/]
- Algers, Winslow and Western Railway (AWW)
- Aliquippa and Ohio River Railroad
- Almanor Railroad (AL)
- AN Railway (AN) [http://rail-management.com/an.htm]
- Angelina and Neches River Railroad (ANR) [http://www.anrrr.com/]
- Ann Arbor Railroad (AA) [http://www.annarbor-railroad.com/]
- Apache Railway (APA)
- Arcade and Attica Railroad (ARA) [http://www.anarr.com/]
- Arizona and California Railroad (ARZC) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/ARZC.htm]
- Arizona Central Railroad (AZCR) [http://www.verdecanyonrr.com/]
- Arizona Railroad
- Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi Railroad (ALM) [http://www.almrailroad.com/]
- Arkansas Midland Railroad (AKMD) [http://www.pinsly.com/arkansas_midland.html]
- Arkansas and Missouri Railroad (AM) [http://www.arkansasmissouri-rr.com/]
- Arkansas and Oklahoma Railroad
- Ashland Railway (ASRY)
- AT&L Railroad (ATLT)
- Athens Line (ABR)
- Atlantic and Western Railway (ATW) [http://www.rail-management.com/aw.htm]
- B&H Rail Corporation (BH) [http://www.lalrr.com/bh.html]
- Batten Kill Railroad
- Bauxite and Northern Railway (BXN)
- Bay Colony Railroad (BCLR) [http://www.baycolonyrailroad.com/]
- Bay Line Railroad (BAYL) [http://www.rail-management.com/bay.htm]
- Belvidere and Delaware River Railway (BDRV) [http://www.brwrr.com/Freight/bdrv059.htm]
- Blacklands Railroad (BLR) [http://www.blacklandsrailroad.com/]
- Blackwell and Northern Railway (BNR)
- Bloomer Line (BLOL)
- Border Pacific Railroad (BOP) [http://www.starrbridge.com/Ingles/border_pacific_railroad.htm]
- Buckingham Branch Railroad (BB) [http://varail.com/bb/]
- Caddo Valley Railroad
- Caldwell County Railroad (CWCY)
- Caney Fork and Western Railroad (CFWR)
- Carolina Coastal Railway
- Carolina Southern Railroad (CALA)
- Carrizo Gorge Railway (CZRY) [http://www.carrizogorgerailway.com/]
- Cascade and Columbia River Railroad (CSCD) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/CSCD.htm]
- Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway (CIC) [http://www.crandic.com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/cr_000231.hcsp]
- Central Columbiana and Pennsylvania Railway (CQPA)
- Central Michigan Railway (CMGN)
- Central Montana Rail (CM)
- Central New England Railroad (CNZR)
- Central Railroad of Indiana (CIND) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/CIND.htm]
- Central Railroad of Indianapolis (CERA) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/CERA.htm]
- Chattahoochee and Gulf Railroad (CHAT)
- Chattahoochee Industrial Railroad
- Chattooga and Chickamauga Railway (CCKY) [http://www.cagy.com/cckyrail.htm]
- Chesapeake and Albemarle Railroad (CA) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/CARR.htm]
- Chicago SouthShore and South Bend Railroad (CSS) [http://www.southshorefreight.com/]
- City of Prineville Railway (COP) [http://www.cityofprinevillerailway.com/]
- Claremont Concord Railroad (CCRR) [http://www.theccrr.com/home.htm]
- Clarendon and Pittsford Railroad (CLP) [http://www.vermontrailway.com]
- Colorado, Kansas and Pacific Railway
- Columbia Basin Railroad (CBRW) [http://www.cbrr.com/]
- Columbia and Cowlitz Railway (CLC)
- Columbus and Greenville Railway (CAGY) [http://www.cagy.com/cgrail.htm]
- Columbus and Ohio River Rail Road (CUOH) [http://www.ohiocentral.com/]
- Commonwealth Railway (CWRY) [http://www.gwrr.com/default.cfm?action=rail§ion=3B5a]
- Conecuh Valley Railroad (COEH)
- Connecticut Southern Railroad (CSO) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/CSO.htm]
- Copper Basin Railway (CBRY) [http://www.rail-management.com/cb.htm]
- D and I Railroad (DAIR) [http://www.lgeverist.com/companies/dandi/dandifset.html]
- Dakota Short Line
- Dardanelle and Russellville Railroad (DR)
- De Queen and Eastern Railroad (DQE)
- Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad
- Delta Southern Railroad (DSRR) [http://www.deltasouthernrailroad.com/]
- Depew, Lancaster and Western Railroad (DLWR)
- Dubois County Railroad (DCRR) [http://www.indianarailwaymuseum.org/DCRR_main.htm]
- East Cooper and Berkeley Railroad (ECBR)
- East Tennessee Railway (ETRY) [http://www.rail-management.com/et.htm]
- Eastern Alabama Railway (EARY) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/EARY.htm]
- Eastern Shore Railroad (ESHR)
- Eastern Idaho Railroad (EIRR) [http://www.watcocompanies.com/Railroads/eirr/eirr.htm]
- Eastern Maine Railway (EMR) [http://www.nbsouthern.com/]
- Effingham Railroad (EFRR) [http://www.efrr.com/]
- El Dorado and Western Railway
- Elkhart and Western Railroad
- Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad (ELS) [http://www.elsrr.com/]
- Everett Railroad (EV) [http://www.hometown.aol.com/everettrailroad/myhomepage/business.html]
- Falls Road Railroad (FRR)
- Finger Lakes Railway (FGLK) [http://www.fglkrail.com/]
- Florida Central Railroad (FCEN) [http://www.pinsly.com/florida_central.html]
- Florida Midland Railroad (FMID) [http://www.pinsly.com/florida_midland.html]
- Florida Northern Railroad (FNOR) [http://www.pinsly.com/florida_northern.html]
- Florida West Coast Railroad (FWCR)
- Fredonia Valley Railroad (FVRR)
- Fulton County Railroad
- Georgetown Railroad (GRR) [http://www.georgetownrailroad.com/]
- Georgia and Florida RailNet (GFRR)
- Georgia Central Railway (GC) [http://www.rail-management.com/gc.htm]
- Georgia Northeastern Railroad (GNRR) [http://www.gnrr.com/]
- Georgia Southwestern Railroad (GSWR) [http://www.gswrr.com/pages/782559/index.htm]
- Georgia Woodlands Railroad (GWRC) [http://www.omnitrax.com/gwrc.shtml]
- Gettysburg and Northern Railroad
- Gloster Southern Railroad (GLSR)
- Golden Isles Terminal Railroad (GITM)
- Golden Triangle Railroad (GTRA)
- Grainbelt Corporation (GNBC)
- Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad (GR) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/GR.htm]
- Great Northwest Railroad (GRNW) [http://www.watcocompanies.com/Railroads/gnr/grnw.htm]
- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR) [http://www.gsmr.com/]
- Great Walton Railroad Company (GRWR)
- Great Western Railway of Colorado (GWR) [http://www.omnitrax.com/grw.shtml]
- Green Mountain Railroad (GMRC) [http://www.vermontrailway.com]
- Gulf, Colorado and San Saba Railway (GCSR)
- Hampton Railway
- Hampton and Branchville Railroad (HB)
- Hartwell Railroad (HRT)
- Heart of Georgia Railroad (HOG) [http://www.hograil.com/]
- Hollidaysburg and Roaring Spring Railroad
- Hollis and Eastern Railroad (HE)
- Hoosier Southern Railroad (HOS) [http://www.pcrailport.com/hsrailroad.htm]
- Housatonic Railroad (HRR)
- Huntsville and Madison County Railroad Authority (HMCR) [http://www.hmcrr.com/]
- Huron and Eastern Railway (HESR) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/HESR.htm]
- Idaho Northern and Pacific Railroad (INPR) [http://www.rgpc.com/inprgeneralinformation.htm]
- Illinois and Midland Railroad (IMRR) [http://www.gwrr.com/default.cfm?action=rail§ion=3B1a]
- Illinois RailNet (IR)
- Illinois Western Railroad
- Indiana Rail Road (INRD) [http://www.inrd.com/main.html]
- Indiana Northeastern Railroad (IN)
- Indiana and Ohio Central Railroad
- Indiana and Ohio Railway (IORY) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/IORY.htm]
- Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/ISRR.htm]
- Iowa Northern Railway (IANR)
- Iowa Northwestern Railroad (IANW)
- Iowa Traction Railroad (IATR)
- Juniata Valley Railroad (JVRR) [http://www.nshr.com/JVRR/jvrr.shtml]
- Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad (KBSR)
- Kentucky and Tennessee Railway (KT)
- Keokuk Junction Railway (KJRY) [http://www.pioneer-railcorp.com/Subsidiaries/kjry/kjry.html]
- Kiamichi Railroad (KRR) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/KRR.htm]
- Knox and Kane Railroad (KKRR)
- Kosciusko and Southwestern Railway (KSRY?) [http://www.ksry.com/]
- KWT Railroad (KWT) [http://www.rail-management.com/kwt.htm]
- Lake State Railway (LSRC) [http://www.lsrc.com/]
- Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad (LSI)
- Lancaster and Chester Railway (LC) [http://www.landcrailroad.com/]
- Laurinburg and Southern Railroad (LRS)
- Lewis and Clark Railway
- Little Rock and Western Railway (LRWN) [http://www.rail-management.com/lr.htm]
- Livonia, Avon and Lakeville Railroad (LAL) [http://www.lalrr.com/]
- Louisiana and Delta Railroad (LDRR) [http://www.gwrr.com/default.cfm?action=rail§ion=3B2a]
- Louisiana and North West Railroad (LNW)
- Louisville and Indiana Railroad (LIRC) [http://www.anacostia.com/lir/lir.html]
- Lowville and Beaver River Railroad
- Luxapalila Valley Railroad (LXVR) [http://www.cagy.com/lxvrrail.htm]
- Lycoming Valley Railroad (LVRR) [http://www.nshr.com/LVRR/lvrr.shtml]
- M and B Railroad (MB) [http://www.rail-management.com/mb.htm]
- Madison Railroad (CMPA) [http://www.madisonrailroad.com/]
- Maryland and Delaware Railroad (MDDE)
- Maryland Midland Railway
- Massachusetts Central Railroad (MCER) [http://www.masscentralrr.com/]
- McCloud Railway (MCR)
- Meridian Southern Railway (MDS)
- Mid-Michigan Railroad (MMRR) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/MMRR.htm]
- Maryland Midland Railway (MMID) [http://www.mmidrwy.com/]
- Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad (MIDH) [http://www.mhrailroad.com/]
- Middletown and New Jersey Railway (MNJ)
- Milford-Bennington Railroad
- Minnesota, Dakota and Western Railway (MDW)
- Minnesota Northern Railroad (MNN)
- Minnesota Prairie Line (MPLI)
- Minnesota Southern Railway (MSWY)
- Mississippi Export Railroad (MSE) [http://www.mserailroad.com/]
- Mississippi and Skuna Valley Railroad (MSV)
- Mississippian Railway Cooperative (MSRW)
- Morristown and Erie Railway (ME) [http://www.merail.com/]
- Mohawk, Adirondack and Northern Railroad
- Mount Hood Railroad (MH) [http://www.mthoodrr.com/]
- Nash County Railroad (NCYR)
- Nashville and Eastern Railroad (NERR)
- Naugatuck Railroad (NAUG) [http://www.rmne.org/]
- Nebkota Railway (NRI)
- Nebraska Central Railroad (NCRC) [http://www.rgpc.com/ncrcgeneralinformation.htm]
- Nebraska Northeastern Railway (NENE)
- New England Central Railroad (NECR) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/NECR.htm]
- New England Southern Railroad
- New Hampshire Central Railroad
- New Hampshire Northcoast Corporation (NHN)
- New Hope and Ivyland Railroad
- New York and Atlantic Railway (NYA) [http://www.anacostia.com/nyar/nyar.html]
- New York and Greenwood Lake Railway (NYGL)
- New York and Lake Erie Railroad (NYLE) [http://www.nylerr.com/NYLE.php]
- New York and Ogdensburg Railway (NYOG) [http://www.vermontrailway.com]
- Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad (NBER) [http://www.nshr.com/NBER/nber.shtml]
- North Shore Railroad (NSHR) [http://www.nshr.com/NSHR/nshr.shtml]
- Northwestern Pacific Railway
- Octoraro Railroad
- Ogeechee Railway (OGEE)
- Ohio Central Railroad (OHCR) [http://www.ohiocentral.com/]
- Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroad
- Ohio Southern Railroad
- Oil Creek and Titusville Lines (OCTL) [http://www.nylerr.com/OCTL.php]
- Old Augusta Railroad (OAR)
- Ontario Central Railroad
- Ontario Midland Railroad (OMID)
- Otter Tail Valley Railroad (OTVR) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/OTVR.htm]
- Ouachita Railroad (OUCH)
- Panhandle Northern Railroad (PNR) [http://www.omnitrax.com/pnr.shtml]
- Pee Dee River Railway
- Pearl River Valley Railroad (PRV)
- Pecos Valley Southern Railway (PVS)
- Pend Oreille Valley Railroad (POVA)
- Penn Eastern Rail Lines (PRL)
- Pickens Railway (PICK)
- Pioneer Valley Railroad (PVRR) [http://www.pinsly.com/pvrr.html]
- Point Comfort and Northern Railway (PCN)
- Prescott and Northwestern Railroad (PNW)
- Progressive Rail (PGR) [http://www.progressiverail.com/]
- Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad (PSAP) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/PSAP.htm]
- R. J. Corman Railroad Bardstown Line (RJCR) [http://www.rjcorman.com/shortline/bardstown.shtml]
- R. J. Corman Railroad Cleveland Line (RJCL) [http://www.rjcorman.com/shortline/cleveland.shtml]
- R. J. Corman Railroad Central Kentucky Lines (RJCC) [http://www.rjcorman.com/shortline/centralky.shtml]
- R. J. Corman Railroad Memphis Line (RJCM) [http://www.rjcorman.com/shortline/memphis.shtml]
- R. J. Corman Railroad Western Ohio Lines (RJCW) [http://www.rjcorman.com/shortline/westohio.shtml]
- R. J. Corman Railroad Pennsylvania Lines (RJCP) [http://www.rjcorman.com/shortline/penn.shtml]
- Rarus Railway (RARW)
- Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad
- Redmont Railway (RRCI)
- Rochester and Southern Railroad (RSR) [http://www.gwrr.com/default.cfm?action=rail§ion=3B3a]
- Rock and Rail (RRRR)
- Rockdale, Sandow and Southern Railroad (RSS)
- St. Croix Valley Railroad
- St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad (SLR) [http://www.gwrr.com/default.cfm?action=rail§ion=3B6a]
- St. Marys Railroad (SM) [http://www.stmarysrr.com]
- Sabine River and Northern Railroad (SRN)
- Saginaw Valley Railway
- Salt Lake, Garfield and Western Railway
- San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway (SDAE) [http://www.sdcommute.com/agencies/MTS/PDF/sdaefact.pdf]
- San Diego and Imperial Valley Railroad (SDIY) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/SDIY.htm]
- San Diego Northern Railroad (SDNR) [http://www.sandiegocoaster.com]
- San Luis Central Railroad (SLC)
- San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad (SLRG) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/SLRG.htm]
- San Manuel Arizona Railroad (SMA)
- Sand Springs Railway (SS) [http://www.sheffieldsteel.com/ssrailway.htm]
- Sandersville Railroad (SAN)
- Santa Fe Southern Railway (SFSR) [http://www.sfsr.com]
- Santa Maria Valley Railroad (SMV) [http://www.smvrr.com]
- Savannah Port Terminal Railroad (SAPT)
- Seminole Gulf Railway (SGLR) [http://www.semgulf.com/]
- Sequatchie Valley Railroad (SQVR)
- Shamokin Valley Railroad (SVRR) [http://www.nshr.com/SVRR/svrr.shtml]
- Sierra Northern Railway (SERA?) [http://www.sierrarailroad.com/]
- Sisseton Milbank Railroad
- SMS Rail Service (SLRS) [http://www.sms-pennjerseyrail.com/]
- South Branch Valley Railroad (SBVR) [http://www.wvdot.com/4_railways/4c3_sbranch.htm]
- South Central Florida Express (SCFE) [http://www.ussugar.com/sugar/transportation.html]
- South Central Tennessee Railroad (SCTR)
- Southern Freight Railroad (?)
- Southern Indiana Railway
- Southern Railroad of New Jersey (SRNJ)
- Stillwater Central Railroad (SLWC) [http://www.watcocompanies.com/Railroads/slwc/slwc.htm]
- Stockton Terminal and Eastern Railroad (STE) [http://www.sterailroad.com/]
- Stourbridge Railroad (SBRR) [http://www.nshr.com/SBRR/sbrr.shtml]
- Sunflour Railroad
- Tacoma Rail Mountain Division (TMRW) [http://www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/rail/]
- Tenneken Railroad
- Tennessee Southern Railroad (TSRR) [http://www.tnsou.com/]
- Texas-New Mexico Railroad (TNMR)
- Texas North Western Railway (TXNW)
- Texas and Northern Railway (TN)
- Texas Rock Crusher Railway (TXR)
- Thermal Belt Railway (TBRY)
- Three Notch Railroad
- Timber Rock Railroad (TIBR) [http://www.watcocompanies.com/Railroads/tibr/tibr.htm]
- Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway (TPW) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/TPW.htm]
- Tomahawk Railway (TR) [http://www.rail-management.com/tom.htm]
- Toppenish, Simcoe and Western Railroad
- Trona Railway (TRC)
- Tulsa-Sapulpa Union Railway (TSU) [http://www.tsurailway.com/]
- Twin Cities and Western Railroad (TCWR) [http://www.tcwr.net/www/tcwr/]
- Tyburn Railroad (TYBR)
- Union County Industrial Railroad (UCIR) [http://www.nshr.com/UCIR/ucir.shtml]
- Utah Railway (UTAH) [http://www.gwrr.com/default.cfm?action=rail§ion=3B15a]
- V and S Railway
- Valdosta Railway (VR) [http://www.rail-management.com/val.htm]
- Vandalia Railroad
- Ventura County Railroad
- Vermont Railway (VTR) [http://www.vermontrailway.com/]
- Wallowa Union Railroad Authority (WURR)
- Warren and Saline River Railroad (WSR)
- Washington County Railroad
- Wellsboro and Corning Railroad (WCOR) [http://www.nshr.com/WCOR/wcor.shtml]
- West Isle Line
- West Tennessee Railroad (WTNN)
- West Texas and Lubbock Railway (WTLR)
- West Virginia Central Railroad (WVC) [http://www.mountainrail.com/WVCentralFreight.htm]
- Western Kentucky Railway (WKRL) [http://www.rail-management.com/wk.htm]
- Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad (WNYP) [http://www.wnyprr.com/]
- Western Rail Road (WRRC)
- Willamette and Pacific Railroad (WPRR)
- Willamette Valley Railway (WVR)
- Winchester and Western Railroad (WW)
- Wiregrass Central Railroad (WGCR)
- Wyoming and Colorado Railroad
- Yadkin Valley Railroad (YVRR)
- York Railway (YRC)
- Yreka Western Railroad (YW)

Switching and terminal railroads

- Adrian and Blissfield Rail Road (ADBF) [http://www.murdermysterytrain.com/]
- Akron Barberton Cluster Railway (AB)
- Alabama and Florida Railway (AF) [http://www.pioneer-railcorp.com/Subsidiaries/AF/af.html]
- Alabama Railroad (ALAB) [http://www.pioneer-railcorp.com/Subsidiaries/ALAB/alab.html]
- Albany Port Railroad (ALBY)
- Alamo Gulf Coast Railroad (AGCR) [http://www.martinmarietta.com/]
- Allegheny Valley Railroad
- Amador Foothills Railroad [http://amadornet.safepages.com/directory/travelers/cities/martell/amadorfoothillsentry.html]
- Appanoose County Community Railroad (APNC)
- Arizona and Eastern Railway (AZER) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/AZER.htm]
- Ashtabula, Carson and Jefferson Railroad (ACJR) [http://www.acjrailroad.com/]
- Austin Area Terminal Railroad (AATR)
- Ballard Terminal Railroad (BDTL)
- Belt Railway of Chicago (BRC) [http://www.beltrailway.com/]
- Bighorn Divide and Wyoming Railroad (BDW)
- Birmingham Southern Railroad (BS) [http://www.tstarinc.com/birmingham/]
- Black River and Western Railroad (BRW) [http://www.brwrr.com/]
- Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad (BSVY) [http://www.scenic-valleyrr.com/]
- Boot Hill and Western Railway (BHWY)
- Brandon Corporation
- Brandywine Valley Railroad (BVRY)
- Brownsville and Rio Grande International Railroad (BRG) [http://www.brgrr.com/]
- Buffalo Southern Railroad (BSOR) [http://members.aol.com/buffalosouthern/]
- Burlington Junction Railway (BJRY)
- C & NC Railroad (CNUR)
- C&S Railroad
- California Northern Railroad (CFNR) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/CFNR.htm]
- Camp Chase Industrial Railroad (CCRA)
- Canton Railroad (CTN) [http://www.cantonrr.com/]
- Cape Fear Railways (CF)
- Carolina Piedmont Railroad (CPDR) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/CPDR.htm]
- Carolina Rail Service (CRIJ)
- Central California Traction Company
- Central Illinois Railroad (CIRY)
- Central Midland Railway (CMR) [http://www.cmrailway.com/pages/1/index.htm]
- Chestnut Ridge Railway (CHR)
- Chicago Rail Link (CRL) [http://www.omnitrax.com/crl.shtml]
- Chillicothe-Brunswick Rail Authority
- Cimarron Valley Railroad (CVR)
- City of Rochelle Railroad
- Clinton Terminal Railroad (CTR)
- Cloquet Terminal Railroad (CTRR)
- CMC Railroad
- Coe Rail (CRLE)
- Colorado and Wyoming Railway (CW)
- Columbia Terminal (CT) [http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/WaterandLight/COLT/]
- Conemaugh and Black Lick Railroad (CBL) [http://www.bethintermodal.com/johnstown.htm]
- Connotton Valley Railway (CV?)
- Conrail (CSAO) [http://www.conrail.com/]
- Corpus Christi Terminal Railroad (CCTA) [http://www.gwrr.com/default.cfm?action=rail§ion=3B5a]
- Crab Orchard and Egyptian Railroad (COER)
- Dakota Southern Railway
- Dallas, Garland and Northeastern Railroad (DGNO) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/DGNO.htm]
- Decatur Junction Railway (DT) [http://www.pioneer-railcorp.com/Subsidiaries/dt/dt.html]
- Delray Connecting Railroad (DC) [http://www.delrayconnectingrailroad.com/]
- Delta Valley and Southern Railway (DVS)
- Denver Rock Island Railroad (DRIR)
- East Camden and Highland Railroad (EACH) [http://www.eachrailroad.com/]
- East Chattanooga Belt Railway
- East Erie Commercial Railroad (EEC)
- East Jersey Railroad and Terminal Company (EJR) [http://www.imtt.com/bayonne.html]
- East Penn Railways
- Eastern Illinois Railroad (EIRC)
- Ellis and Eastern Company
- Farmrail Corporation (FMRC) [http://www.farmrail.com/]
- Flats Industrial Railroad (FIR)
- Fordyce and Princeton Railroad (FP)
- Fore River Transportation Corporation (FOR)
- Fort Smith Railroad
- Fort Worth and Western Railroad (FWWR) [http://www.fwwr.net/]
- Galveston Railroad (GVSR) [http://www.rail-management.com/gr.htm]
- Garden City Western Railway (GCW) [http://www.pioneer-railcorp.com/Subsidiaries/gcw/gcw.html]
- Grafton and Upton Railroad (GU)
- Great Miami and Scioto Railway (GMRY) [http://www.great-miami.com/html/g__m____s_.html]
- Great River Railroad (GTR)
- Great Western Railway of Iowa
- High Point, Thomasville and Denton Railroad
- Hutchinson and Northern Railway (HN)
- Indian Creek Railroad (ICRK)
- Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad (IHB) [http://www.ihbrr.com/]
- Indiana Southwestern Railway
- ISG Cleveland Works Railway (CUVA)
- ISG South Chicago and Indiana Harbor Railway (SCIH)
- Jefferson Warrior Railroad (JEFW)
- Kendallville Terminal Railway
- Kiski Junction Railroad (KJR) [http://www.kiskijunction.com/]
- Knoxville and Holston River Railroad (KXHR)
- Lake County Railroad (LCR) [http://www.lakecountyor.org/Railroad.htm]
- Lake Terminal Railroad (LT)
- Landsville Terminal and Transfer Company
- Little Kanawha River Rail (LKRR)
- Little Rock Port Railroad (LRPA)
- Longview Switching Company
- Los Angeles Junction Railway
- Louisville, New Albany and Corydon Railroad (LNAC)
- Luzerne and Susquehanna Railway
- Mahoning Valley Railway (MVRY)
- Manufacturers' Junction Railway (MJ) [http://www.omnitrax.com/mj.shtml]
- Manufacturers Railway (MRS) [http://www.anheuser-busch.com/overview/Railway.htm]
- Massena Terminal Railroad (MSTR)
- Maumee and Western Railroad
- McKeesport Connecting Railroad
- Meeker Southern Railroad
- MG Rail (MGRI)
- Michigan Shore Railroad
- Michigan Southern Railroad
- Minnesota Commercial Railway (MNNR) [http://www.tcwronline.net/MNNR.html]
- Mississippi Central Railroad (MSCI) [http://www.pioneer-railcorp.com/Subsidiaries/msci/msci.html]
- Mississippi Delta Railroad (MSDR)
- Mississippi Tennessee Railroad (?)
- Missouri and Valley Park Railroad
- Modesto and Empire Traction Company (MET) [http://www.metrr.com/]
- Moscow, Camden and San Augustine Railroad
- Mount Vernon Terminal Railway
- Municipality of East Troy Railroad (METW) [http://www.easttroyrr.org/]
- N. D. C. Railroad
- Napa Valley Railroad (NVRR) [http://www.winetrain.com/]
- Nashville and Western Railroad
- New Castle Industrial Railroad (NCIR)
- New Orleans and Gulf Coast Railway (NOGC) [http://www.rgpc.com/nogcgeneralinformation.htm]
- New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) [http://www.nopb.com/]
- New York Cross Harbor Railroad Terminal (NYCH) [http://www.nyrr.com/]
- Newburgh and South Shore Railroad (NSR) [http://www.omnitrax.com/nsr.shtml]
- North Carolina and Virginia Railroad (NCVA) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/NCVA.htm]
- Northern Ohio and Western Railway (NOW)
- Northwestern Oklahoma Railroad (NOKL)
- Oakland Terminal Railway (OTR)
- Ohi-Rail Corporation (OHIC)
- Omaha, Lincoln and Beatrice Railway
- Oregon Pacific Railroad
- Owego and Harford Railway
- Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) [http://www.anacostia.com/phl/phl.html]
- Patapsco and Back Rivers Railroad (PBR)
- Peninsula Terminal Company
- Pennsylvania Southwestern Railroad (PSWR)
- Peoria and Pekin Union Railway (PPU)
- Philadelphia, Bethlehem and New England Railroad (PBNE)
- Pioneer Industrial Railway
- Pittsburgh, Allegheny and McKees Rocks Railroad (PAM)
- Pittsburgh and Ohio Central Railroad
- Port Bienville Railroad (PBVR) [http://www.portandharbor.com/railroad.html]
- Port Jersey Railroad (PJRR) [http://www.pjrr.com/]
- Port Terminal Railroad Association
- Port Terminal Railroad of South Carolina (PTR)
- Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad (POTB) [http://www.potb.org/railroad.htm]
- Port Utilities Commission of Charleston, South Carolina (PUCC)
- Portland Terminal Railroad
- Quincy Railroad (QRR)
- R. J. Corman Railroad Allentown Lines (RJCN) [http://www.rjcorman.com/shortline/allentown.shtml]
- Railroad Switching Service of Missouri (?)
- Raritan Central Railway (RCRY)
- Republic N and T Railroad
- Richmond Pacific Railroad (RPRC) [http://www.levinterminal.com/Rail.html]
- Rio Valley Switching Company (RVSC)
- Riverport Railroad (RVPR) [http://www.riverportrailroad.com/]
- St. Maries River Railroad (STMA)
- Salt Lake City Southern Railroad
- San Joaquin Valley Railroad (SJVR) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/SJVR.htm]
- San Pedro Southwestern Railroad (SWKR)
- Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway (SCBG)
- Semo Port Railroad (SE) [http://www.semoport.com/railroad/index.html]
- Shawnee Terminal Railway
- Sidney and Lowe Railroad
- South Brooklyn Railway
- South Buffalo Railway (SB) [http://www.gwrr.com/default.cfm?action=rail§ion=3B3a]
- South Carolina Central Railroad (SCRF) [http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/SCRF.htm]
- South Plains Lamesa Railroad (SLAL)
- South Plains Switching
- Southern Switching Company (SSC

1859

1859 is a common year starting on Saturday.

Events

January

- January 2 - Erastus Beadle publishes The Dime Book of Practical Etiquette.
- January 24 - Wallachia and Moldavia are united under Alexander John Cuza under the name Romania (see December 1 1918 for the final unification, Transylvania and other regions were still missing at this time).

February

- February 14 - Oregon is admitted as the 33rd U.S. state.
- February 27 - US congressman Dan Sickles shoots Philip Barton Key for having an affair with his wife

March

- March 9 - The army of Piedmont-Sardinia mobilizes against Austria, beginning the crisis which will lead to the Austro-Sardinian War.
- March 26 - French amateur astronomer claims to have noticed a planet closer to the Sun than Mercury - later named Vulcan

April

- April 9 - The Austrian army in Italy mobilizes against Piedmont.
- April 23 - The Austrians send an ultimatum to Piedmont, demanding demobilization. This puts Austria in the position of an aggressor, and leads to French intervention. Piedmont rejects the ultimatum, and war breaks out.
- April 25 - Ground is broken for the Suez Canal
- April 26 - Austro-Sardinian War - Giuseppe Garibaldi's Hunters of the Alps confront Austrian forces led by Field Marshal-Lieutenant Carl Baron Urban at Varese.
- April 29 - Austrian troops begin to cross the Ticino River to Piedmont

May

- May 21 - The bell of Big Ben activated
- May 22 - Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies is succeeded by his 23-year-old son Francis II of the Two Sicilies
- May 30 - Sardinians defeat the Austrian army at Battle of Palestro

June

- June 4 - Battle of Magenta in Austro-Sardinian War - French and Sardinians defeat Austrians
- June 6 - The British Crown colony of Queensland in Australia is created by devolving part of the territory of New South Wales
- June 8 - French and Piedmontese forces enter Milan.
- June 8 - Battle of Marignaro (1859) French victory over Austrians
- June 24 - Battle of Solferino: Kingdom of Sardinia and Napoleon III of France armies defeat Franz Josef I of Austria in northern Italy. Battle also reputedly inspires Henri Dunant to found the Red Cross

July

- July 6 - Australia: Queensland is established as a separate colony from New South Wales.
- July 8 - Charles XV succeeds his father Oscar I King of Sweden and Norway (as Charles IV).
- July 8 - Armistice between Austria and others
- July 11 - Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph, faced with an expensive war against France and the Kingdom of Sardinia and potential revolution in Hungary, meets Napoleon III, who also worries at the costs of extending the war and fears the effects of Italian nationalism, at Villafranca. By the preliminary treaty signed there, hostilities cease. Lombardy is ceded to the French (who immediately cede it to Sardinia), while the Austrians keep Venetia and the French promise to restore the Central Italian rulers expelled in the course of the war. This brings the Austro-Sardinian War effectively to a close.

- October 6 - Thomas Austin takes 24 rabbits and 5 hares to Australia in order to release them there as a game. They will multiply exponentially.
- October 12 - Self-described "Emperor of the United States" Joshua A. Norton 'orders' the U.S. Congress to dissolve.
- October 16 - John Brown raids Harper's Ferry in Virginia, the signal for a general slave rebellion.
- October 18 - Troops under Colonel Robert E. Lee overpower Brown at the Federal arsenal.
- October 26 - The Royal Charter is wrecked on the coast of Anglesey, Wales with 454 dead.

November

- November 1 - The current Cape Lookout, North Carolina, lighthouse was lighted for the first time. Its first-order