It’s got to be the Rock Island. It tried hard but couldn’t seem to make it. The best thing about the Rock was if you didn’t like the paint scheme wait 5 minutes and they’d probably change it. At least 7 paint schemes, oddball locos from every major manufacturer and an equally interesting mix of freight and passenger equipment and you’ve got a railroad sure to keep you interested
!!!Denver & Rio Grande Western!!! As I remember DRGW in the Colorado Mountains on the Moffat line in september 1978 and 1987, will never forget seeing the action!!! One coal train Had 16 locomotives working hard!!!
I would have to say my favorite fallen flag is the long fallen Arizona and New Mexico Railway followed by the EP&SW {El Paso and Southwestern RR].
I see no reason why my opinion didn’t get there. No question: Santa Fe is by far the “handsomest” of all (excuse my english). As a Costa Rican railfan we felt in love with those adds in Life and Look Magazines during the 50s, that included the NYC (because of their “Hudsons”) and the ¨Pennsy". I’d rather say i miss much the C&NW. There was the Northern Railway Co. here since the 1880s, to develop the banana plantations. I know you all ignore that “Chiquita Brand” came to life in my home town of Port Limón, where United Fruit Co. was born, and our railroad has the same logo from the Northwestern. I’m rulex44@yahoo.es…Good nostalgia and good blessings from Tiquicia.
America’s Resourceful Railroad
The Milwaukee Road
How can you top the Hiawatha’s or the big electrics out west ?
Craig
I grew up around the Springfield, MO area. We had Frisco (where my mother worked for 36 years) and MoPac. Frisco was the standard rr to me. I remember seeing UP engines run through. When little I rode several Frisco passenger trains. Too bad our government doesn’t give a damn about the passenger train but give millions to the airline industry. Frisco was a first class rr in more than one way. It is missed greatly.
The Wabash was a classic in Canada.Completely deiselized before CN & CP in
the spring of 1951
and their first diesel was a 40 tonner No 51 which arrived in 1939 and
operated with only an engineer. (Another first)
W K Cameron
(Retired Train dispr who dispatched Waba***rains in Canada)
I’ve got a few favorites myself: Milw, GN, NP, D&RGW, WP, N&W, RDG, WM, D&H, LV, NYNH&H and GM&O.
To me, everything so much better before Penncentral and Conrail in 1968 and 1976.[:D]
I don’t think that railroading has the same charm as it had before, on the other hand I’m a steamfreak with some interest in 1st and 2nd diesels and electrics.
It’s a shame that they didn’t save more steamlocomotives then they did.
Imagine to still have the MILV class A and F7 and NYC Hudsons and Niagaras around.
All the best my friends.
Jan
chicago and western indiana ( dearborn station )
New haven
Mine is the Minneapolis & St Louis. I grew up in a western Minnesota town served by it during the Great Depression. It was a spunky road.[:p]
mine would be the greenville +northern living in the usa in 1979/84 I enjoyed seeing and photographing the short line jeff england
For me it’s the Katy, I have very fond memories of this great line. Their steam engines and the grounds were always kept immaculate. When the it went diesel, their beautiful red locomotive were a sight to see. I grew up near their makeup yard and I never tired of sitting out in back of the house watching the daily routines. The arrival and departure of the TEXAS SPECIAL. Yes! the Katy will always live in my heart.
New York, Chicago, & St, Louis…The Nickle Plate
The dynamics of the games played over the ownership of said line is fascinating, Gould vs Vanderbilt, etc
You did not post the Chicago and North Western or the Chicago and Great Western. Those our my favorites.
MONON, the Hoosier Line!!!
Bangor & Aroostook RR in Maine - I grew up on that RR and was born in one of the railroad stations where my father was the station master. Good RR, made money, but sucked dry by NY lawyers who ran Iron Road…what a shame…
And just where is Seaboard Coast Line or Atlantic Coast Line Railroads?[?][?]
My all time favorite and one I grew up with is the SCL, black/yellow paint scheme! Sure would love to see these loco’s in O and G gauge! [8D]
Clay
The “Route of the Rockets and Rocket Freights”…the slogan still makes my heart skip a beat. Always, Always, Always, it’s Rock Island!
It will always be the ATSF as far as I’m concerned as my family worked for it in the 40’s and 50’s or as they called it the Atchison. Long live the holy cross emblem and the Santa Fe cigar bands across the nose of the locomotives of olden times.