The Diesel Railroad Locomotive - From Box Cabs And The SD40 To The SD70 And Gensets

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Railroad History - Fun Facts - The Modern Era (1980-Present)

Written By: Ken Hulsey

In the modern era the American railroad industry went through a series of drastic changes. Deregulation, mega-mergers and intermodal service, which ultimately saved the railroads, changed the landscape forever.

Let's take a quick look at some of the things that happened post 1980:

The Staggers Act deregulated railroads and allowed them to set their own rates for shipping services.

In the 1980s’ the Reagan Administration distanced itself from Amtrak. It was their policy that US passenger rail service should survive on its own. Amtrak as forced to pay for half their operating expenses from passenger fares. The railroad experienced more hard times in the 1990s’ and several unprofitable trains had to be discontinued. In response to all this, the railroad added several new features to rail cars such as TVs and Viewliners.

VIA likewise suffered financially during the 1980s’ and 90s’. The railroad purchased an refurbished dozens of passenger cars from US railroads. They continued to operate passenger trains in an “old-fashioned” manor with Pullman like sleeping cars and rear end observation cars. The railroad even allowed private companies to operate trains to tourist destinations.

In the 1990s’ several railroads began to merge into one another. Railroads found it more financially viable to exist as one large railroad instead of several small ones by the end of the decade there were only seven Class I railroads in the United States where once there were hundreds.

RailTex began as a railroad car leasing company. They soon started buying up small feeder railroads. Before long they owned several small railroads in the US and few in Canada and Central America. Though RailTex owns the smaller railroads they still let them operate independently.

In November 1995 the Canadian Government released all of its shares in the Canadian National on the New York, Montreal, and Toronto stock exchanges allowing the railroad to become a private company. In July 1999 the Illinois Central merged with the CN giving the railroad a major US artery, a frost free port at New Orleans and connections with Mexican railroads.

Railroading Terms - From The Modern Era (Circa 1980 - Present):

Second Generation Diesels – Developed in 1972 the EMD “Dash 2” series of locomotives provided 3,000hp with reduced emissions and improved traction control.

Engineer-less Locomotives – The use of a remote control locomotive, operated by a nearby worker, to perform switching duties.

FRED – The Flashing Rear End Device eliminated the need for a caboose on a freight train. The device monitors air brake pressure and motion and then relays the information to the engineer.

EABS – The Electronic Air Brake System is an electronic braking system designed to eliminate air brakes. The EABS is able to set the brakes on each car simultaneously via a computer in the locomotive.

Since the 1980s’ railroads have adopted environmentally friendly policies and practices in their day-to-day operations. Railroads have begun to clean up their old facilities, regulate the use of toxic substances and control the amount of pollutants that are released into the air and water.

With passing of the Stagger’s Act in 1980 the deregulation of the railroad industry made the ICC obsolete. In 1995 the government initiated the ICC Termination Act brought an end to the 109-year old commission and the “Railroad Era”.

Random Thoughts About The History Of Railroading In America:

In my opinion the building of America’s first transcontinental railroad is the most significant event. The linking of the East and West opened up the country for settlers and farmers to change the landscape of the “Great American Desert”.

Trains hold the same kind of magic that ships, planes and automobiles do. There has always been a romance about them. For myself personally, I have always been in awe of the massive size and power of trains. I suppose it is the main reason I love large steam locomotives so much. I once heard them described as “beautifully ugly” I guess that seems to fit them to a “T”. Once trains get in your blood they are there to stay.

See Also: Railroad History - Fun Facts - The Post-War Era (1945-1980)

Railroad History - Fun Facts - The Post-War Era (1945-1980)

Written By: Ken Hulsey

Modern Times & Twilight of the Railroad Era

Here are some fun, and interesting, facts from the post-war era of American railroading, circa 1945-1980. It was a time of transition as railroads moved from traditional steam power to diesel and railroads tried to compete with other growing forms of transportation.

After WWII the economical and social environment of the United States changed drastically. The railroads main forms of competition, which had been held back due to the war, were now free to serve the public. Factories that once built weapons now were churning out automobiles, gasoline that was rationed during the war was now cheap and plentiful, buses had cheaper fares, interstate highways were constructed and airlines grew in number. All these factors, combined with anti-railroad legislation left over from the turn of the century, spelled hard times for the railroads. Passenger and freight traffic experienced a sharp rate of decline after the war.

Cars, trucks and buses utilized an interstate highway system that was built with government money. Likewise airlines were heavily subsidized. While the government was investing money in other forms of transportation the railroads had to maintain their own rails (Highways were maintained by the government) and pay heavy taxes.

When the railroads switched from steam to diesel during the decade after WWII the work force changed drastically. There was no longer a need for the massive maintenance shops the kept the fleet of steamers up and running. This was an extreme hardship in several small towns where the locomotive shops were the areas main employer.

President Kennedy devised “Arbitration Award 282” in August 1963. This allowed they railroads to do away with the now unnecessary position of “fireman” on passenger and freight trains. The main provision of this act was that railroads simply couldn't fire all of their fireman. Existing fireman would be allowed to retire, resign or accept a severance package.

Diesel Locomotive Manufacturers of the post WWII era:

General Motor’s Electro-Motive Division – Became an industry leader.
Fairbanks-Morse – Built early gasoline driven rail cars, 1,000 hp switchers and a limited amount of road diesels. Went out of business in 1958.


Baldwin – The steam locomotive giant bought the Lima Locomotive Company in 1950. Used Westinghouse equipment to build diesel-electric locomotives. Though the manufacturer had lucrative contracts and built 3,000 units, its practice of marketing “customized diesels” proved antiquated.


The American Locomotive Company (ALCO) – Allied with GE to gain an early hold in the locomotive market. Produced a 2,000hp locomotive for dual freight and passenger service. GE severed its relationship and the company went out of business, although it still built locomotives through the Montreal Locomotive Works until 1969.

The EMD GP7 & GP9 were very unique locomotives. The design was initially envisioned as a switcher, but its good visibility in both directions leads to its use a mainline workhorse. Overall 6,000 “Geeps” were produced and many units remained in service until the 1990s’.

In the 1950s’ and 60s’ the American and Canadian railroads made several attempts to lure passengers. The US railroads sponsored a radio program to keep the industry in the public eye. Railroads from both countries introduced “Vista Dome” cars that gave passengers an exceptional view of the countryside. New private sleeping cars were introduced. The Canadian railroads even tried a moderately successful staggered rate program known as the “Red. White & Blue Fares.” Railroads even developed new modern looking logos and shiny new cars, but in the end it made little difference.

When the railroads in the United States and Canada were threatening to abandon their passenger service the respective governments stepped in and formed the National Rail Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and the Crown Corporation (VIA). Both governments deemed that passenger rail service still filled a public need and that this was the only way to keep passenger trains running.

In the 1950s’and 60s’ several railroads merged into one another. These railroads generally serviced adjacent areas and found better financial stability by increasing their base. This trend happened again in the 1990s’ when 40+ Class I North American railroads merged into 7.

Although the Pennsylvania and New York Central merged into one railroad, the Penn Central, the railroad still operated as if they were still separate. Crews from the individual railroads often fought and had trouble learning the practices of the other railroad. Shipments being delivered to the wrong destination and derailments were common. When the ICC ordered that the failing New York, New Haven & Hartford to merge into the Penn Central things became even more complicated. The line began bankruptcy proceedings in 1970.

Union Pacific vice-president William McDonald came up the idea of forming Conrail to bail out the failing Penn Central, Lehigh Valley, Central of New Jersey and Reading railroads.

Railroads began to use telephones, television monitors, microwave communications, computers, classification yards, hot box detectors, undercarriage inspection units, Timken roller bearings and disc brakes.

New Railroad Terms From The Post WWII Era:

TOFC – Trailer on Flat Car is the shipment of truck trailers on a railroad flat car.


COFC – Container on Flat Car is the shipment of a international shipping container on a railroad flat car.


Auto Railers – Is the practice of attaching railroad wheel trucks directly to trailers or containers to eliminate the use of a flat car.


Unit Trains – Unit trains are comprised of one type of freight car that hauls one specific commodity such as coal or wheat.


Mini Trains- Mini Trains are 10 to 15 car Unit Trains.


Due to the changing economic climate and the decline of rail service the Pullman Company, REA and US Railway Mail Service became outdated and unneeded.