Wendell1976

I had thought that Trains magazine had mentioned the part about the different railroads' comparison of their lines to the Milwaukee Road's. Thank you for the information. Wendell Idaho, USA

The main reason why the Soo Line was allowed to purchase the Milwaukee Road was because the Soo had less overlapping or duplicate lines compared to the Milwaukee. If the Chicago & North Western had bought the Milwaukee Road, railroad competition would have been decreased. The reason why the SPSF merger was denied was because the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Santa Fe Railway had way too many miles of mainline track in the American Southwest(California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas) combined. Wendell Idaho, USA

I had used the word "streetcar" as an adjective in the first sentence. I was describing what type of train it is. Wendell Idaho, USA

Here's a picture of a Toronto Transit Commission streetcar train in Toronto. The train is running down Dundas Street at the intersection with Church Street. The TTC uses broad gauge for their streetcar system. The rails are 58.875 inches(149.5425 centimeters) apart instead of 56.5 inches(143.51 centimeters) for standard gauge. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/278310/ Wendell Idaho, USA

The Santa Fe "Bluebonnet" locomotive looks really nice in the pictures. Keep up the good work with your layout. Wendell Idaho, USA

Here's a 1958 picture of a Pacific Electric Railway train in Long Beach, California. The train is running down Long Beach Boulevard between Anaheim Street and the world-renowned Pacific Coast Highway(PCH; California State Route 1). Today, the L.A. Metro A Line(formerly Blue Line) light-rail trains traverse this boulevard between Downtown Long Beach and Downtown Los Angeles(about a 25-mile/40-kilometer route). https://www.railpictures.net/photo/388493/ Wendell Idaho, USA

Here's another beautiful picture of a British Columbia Railway train in Lillooet, British Columbia, Canada. The train is traversing the Fraser River Canyon. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/302737/ Wendell Idaho, USA

Here's another picture of the Trona Railway near Trona, California. This is a "close-up" picture of the Trona Pinnacles. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/566193/ Wendell Idaho, USA

Good question, Keith. According to the Rail Pictures website, there had been some railroads that used two or more locomotives on local trains in the 1980's. Wendell Idaho, USA

Here's a couple of pictures of the Trona Railway near Trona, California. The train is passing by the Trona Pinnacles in the northern part of the Mojave Desert. The Trona Railway is a 30.5 mile(48.8 kilometer) shortline railroad that serves primarily the mining industry and interchanges with the Union Pacific Railroad(formerly Southern Pacific Railroad) in Searles, California. Trona(town) is near the southwestern border of Death Valley National Park and is about 170 road-miles(272 road-kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/341259/ https://www.railpictures.net/photo/538442/ Wendell Idaho, USA

I totally agree. It is only six cars on that train behind two locomotives. It looks like a local turn. Wendell Idaho, USA

Here's a picture of a Union Pacific Railroad train in Wadsworth, Nevada. The eastbound train is running alongside the Truckee River. Interstate 80(I-80) freeway is on the other side of the Truckee River(note the big truck on the right). Wadsworth is a suburb of Reno. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/582493/ Wendell Idaho, USA

Here's a picture of a Amtrak train in Lyle, Washington. The Empire Builder is moving westbound towards Portland, Oregon in the Columbia River Gorge area. On the other side of the Columbia River, vehicular traffic is moving on the Interstate 84(I-84) freeway. Lyle is 76 miles(121.6 kilometers) east of Vancouver, Washington and 85 road-miles(136 road-kilometers) east-northeast of Portland, Oregon. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/669239/ Wendell Idaho, USA

Nice set of video clips, Ray. Keep up the good work! Wendell Idaho, USA

This is true with the Union Pacific Railroad. UP has been doing a lot of cost cutting in recent years and they are laying a lot of people off today. And to make matters worse, UP operates in a lot of major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, Bay Area, and Chicago. The larger the metropolitan area, the less police that will be available. Wendell Idaho, USA

In both of these pictures, this is what happens when a railroad doesn't have enough manpower within its police department. Imagine if it is a lot more Class 1 railroads today like it was about 30 years ago. The railroad police would have a lot less territory to cover geographically which would equal to a lot less graffiti on railroad equipment and property. Wendell Idaho, USA

Here's another picture of a Metra commuter train in Chicago. With this drone shot, you get a better view of the downtown skyline and Lake Michigan. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/730168/ Wendell Idaho, USA

Here's a picture of a Utah Transit Authority(UTA) TRAX light rail train in Downtown Salt Lake City. The train is running down Main Street(Zero Street East/West) at the intersection with 400 South(4th South) Street. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/377692/ Wendell Idaho, USA

Here's a picture of a Westside Express Service(WES) commuter train in Beaverton, Oregon. The train is running down Southwest(SW) Lombard Avenue at the intersection with Southwest Canyon Road(Oregon Route 8). Tammies Hobbies model train store is a few hundred feet away from this intersection(www.tammieshobbies.com). Beaverton is a suburb of Portland. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/572080/ Wendell Idaho, USA

Thank you for posting the link to this magazine issue. Wendell Idaho, USA

Here's a picture of a Metra commuter train in Chicago. The locomotive is in the "heritage" design honoring the former Chicago & North Western Transportation Company(green and gold). The John F. Kennedy Expressway(Interstates 90 and 94 combined) is in the foreground. Lake Michigan is in the background to the left. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/751056/ Wendell Idaho, USA

In the January 2021 issue of Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine, Fernando Bellini built a nice Inglenook-like layout in HO scale. The layout measures only 79 inches(200.66 centimeters) in length and 8 inches(20.32 centimeters) in width which amounts to a little more than four square feet. Bellini used only three turnouts on his shadowbox layout. You can get the online magazine for free at www.model-railroad-hobbyist.com. Wendell Idaho, USA

Here's a beautiful picture of a Amtrak California Pacific Surfliner train in San Diego. The train is heading southbound towards Downtown San Diego via the Pacific Coast. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/755500/ Wendell Idaho, USA

Here's a couple of pictures of a CSX Transportation train in West Brownsville, Pennsylvania. The train is running down Main Street in both pictures. West Brownsville is a suburb of Pittsburgh. https://www.railpictures.net/photo/470598/ https://www.railpictures.net/photo/471314/ Wendell Idaho, USA

Long live the Espee! Wendell Idaho, USA