Vintage Diesel Locomotives
Posted in Posters on 01/18/2011 03:22 pm by admin
Austin Steam Trains: History Comes to Life
Steam trains are an important part of Texas’s proud history. When war with Mexico ended, the government of the newly-formed Republic of Texas sought to encourage investment. Improving transportation by building a railroad system seemed a logical choice, and once Texas attained statehood, several railway companies began work on constructing a rail system to serve the needs of the growing Texas population.
In 1853, the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos, and Colorado Railway began offering rail service between Harrisburg and Stafford, a distance of about twenty miles. This gave the company the distinction of being both the first railroad in Texas and the second railroad west of the Mississippi. As the rail system expanded, so did the risk to passengers; at the dangerous bridge crossing the Brazos river, for example, the conductor allowed travelers to disembark and take a ferry across rather than brave crossing the bridge on board the train.
The Southern Pacific Railroad agreed to begin construction on a line running from Caddo, near San Antonio, to Marshall, due east of Dallas, Texas. When this route was first completed in 1858, the steam locomotive intended to run the line had not yet arrived. However, in order to retain its state charter, the Southern Pacific Railroad was required by written agreement to provide rail service between these two cities. Rather than wait for the locomotive to arrive, the Southern Pacific Railroad opted to use ox-drawn rail carts to transport goods on the newly-laid rails.
In Austin, the train system was essential to move goods transported on the Colorado River to inland destinations. When Austin was named the capital city of Texas, the need for swift transportation increased substantially, and the first railroad into Austin was completed by the Houston and Texas Central Railroad company in 1871. This first steam train line was the beginning of the intricate system that connected Austin with the rest of Texas and the United States.
Today, steam trains no longer grace the old railroad lines. But you can still experience the history and adventure of riding the rails on an old fashioned steam train. The Austin Steam Train Association offers three-hour train rides every Saturday, recreating the historical experience of traveling through rural Texas by train. The original steam engine, the Southern Pacific 786, was manufactured in New York in August 1916. While it is currently being restored to working condition, the train association is using a diesel-powered Alco Diesel 442 locomotive to pull its vintage passenger cars.
The journey begins in Cedar Park, a suburb of Austin, Texas, and winds its way through historic Texas Hill Country, stopping along the way at the 1912 Bertram train depot. The train’s classic passenger cars offer three different levels of service, from Coach to First Class Pullman Lounge. The Coach service comes closest to the original rail experience, but lack the modern amenities of air conditioning and heating. Of course, the windows can be opened for better ventilation and natural cooling in summer. The Excursion Class and First Class Pullman Lounge cars offer air conditioning, heat, and other amenities for less adventurous travelers. If you are interested in chartering a car, the Boonesborough Lounge offers privacy and luxury for your special occasion.
Reservations are recommended, but tickets are usually available for purchase at the boarding area on the day of your journey as well. The Austin Steam Train Association offers riders the chance to travel back in time, making Texas history come to life for railway enthusiasts and tourists alike.
About the Author
Joe Cline writes articles for Austin real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Austin Texas Realtor and Lakeway real estate can be found on the net.
Vintage Diesel and artefacts Collection (Part 8 )
|
|
Retro Diesel Locomotive – 24H x 16W – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
|
|
Vintage Diesel Locomotive – 24H x 16W – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
|
|
Steam & Diesel Trains: 9 Old Railroad Videos $11.95 Diesel and Steam Trains: 9 Vintage Railroad Videos Plus two 1930′s ads featuring steam trains and an antique clip of a staged train wreck (1913). If you like old trains, you’ll love these films! Included videos: * 2 steam train locomotives collide head-on. (1913) 1:21 (B & W) California State Fair (Clip) – Progressive Film Producing Company of America * At This Moment – Handy (Jam) Organiza… |
|
|
Bachmann Trains Santa Fe Flyer Ready-to-Run HO Scale Train Set $59.71 00647 Features: -Open quad hopper.-Gondola.-Off center caboose.-Body mounted E-Z mate couplers.-36” circle of snap fit E-Z track.-Power pack and speed controller.-Illustrated instruction manual. Includes: -Includes EMD FT Diesel locomotive with operating headlight. Specifications: -Including 11 pieces of curved track and 1 curved plug-in terminal…. |
|
|
Life-Like Trains HO Scale Powered 0-4-0 Dockside Locomotive – Baltimore and Ohio $35.99 … |
|
|
MOPAC #4624 GE B30-7 Diesel HO Scale by Bachmann MOPAC #4624 GE B30-7 Diesel HO Scale by Bachmann… |
|
|
Vintage Diesel Power $5.95 This formative period of diesel locomotive evolution is examined with the help of more than 250 modern and period photos depicting passenger, freight, and switching locomotives. Author Brian Solomon covers every prominent manufacturer of the period—including Electro-Motive, Alco, Baldwin, and GE—as well as iconic models like Geeps, E and F units, PAs and FAs, sharknoses, U-boats, and more. The… |
|
|
Pennsylvania Railroad Locomotives: Photo Archive: Steam, Diesel & Electric $19.79 The Pennsylvania Railroad’s slogan was “Standard Railroad of the World.” Often referred to as the Pennsy, the railroad was an early advocate of standardization, especially with motive power. This book highlights the steam, diesel and electric locomotives. Known for a “dog’s breakfast” of locomotives, Pennsy experimented with different types of locomotives until … |
|
|
Vintage Diesel Locomotives (Enthusiast Color Series) $15.95 Diesel-electric locomotives from the mid-1930s to the late 1960′s are brought vividly to life! This full-color gallery showcases all the great locomotives from GM, GE, and Alco. Spotlighted are Electro-Motive’s famous E- and F-units, and GP-series “Geeps”, DL, PA, FA, and RS diesels from American Locomotive Company, and Baldwin’s “babyface” and “sharknose” locomotives. Plus Fairbanks-Morse switche… |