Where have all the engines gone?

The first half of the 20th century is generally regarded as the Golden Age of railroading with the advent of famous passenger trains such as the New York Central’s Twentieth Century Limited and the Burlington Zephyr, stately railroad terminals in St Louis, Cleveland, Chicago, and San Francisco and other landmark locomotive feats occurring within the industry during that time (roughly 1900 through 1950). This was also the time that the railroad industry saw an all-time high of in use track mileage, linking North, South, East and West, peaking at 254,000 miles in 1916. Over all, it was the period in our nation’s history when nearly everyone was exposed to railroads in one shape or form, rugged steam trains to majestic diesel streamliner, particularly because it was the fastest and most efficient method of long range travel.

Following the end of  World War II passenger operations, and the railroad industry as a whole, went into a spiraling decline. Today less than 140,000 miles of serviceable track exist within the borders of the United States. During the Golden Age some overland routes had been built primarily to facilitate the sale of stock in the railroad parent companies. Redundant operations from the beginning, these were the first to be abandoned as the railroads’ financial positions began to deteriorate.

Where have all the engines gone?

The rails were routinely removed as scrap covered over or abandoned to save money on taxes. Many rights-of-way were destroyed, broken up or built over. Others have remained the property of the railroads or were taken over by local or state authorities. Many rights-of-way were turned into rail trails or left to sit fallow, which should the necessity arise be returned to rail service. To date, no rail trail or idled right-of-way in the has reverted to an active railroad operation.

Where have all the engines gone? Gone to scrapyards, everyone.

Garden Railroading is the rebirth of the Golden Age of the roads, only this time in miniature. More and more railroading enthusiasts have G Scale rights-of-way circling their yards, still dreaming of the legends of the road.

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