A change of pace today...a look at the works of man as opposed to the works of nature. We picked up my father-in-law from the Sebring, FL Amtrak station this past weekend. I took a several photos while there (of course) and feel this is the best one. The passenger train is just pulling into the station here and boy, what a racket they make! I sent this image to escafeld (Dave) because of his love of trains, and he suggested this cropping. So Dave, this one is for you. Olympus C8080 & PhotoshopCS ----- TRAVELING BY RAIL - - AN INFORMAL HISTORY The romance of railroading has directly influenced the history of America since 1830 when the steam engine "Tom Thumb" pulled the first passenger car 13 miles from Baltimore to Ellicott's Mill, Maryland. Today's railroad cars have come a long way since the first one in 1830. The initial "stage coach" type of passenger car quickly gave way to the double-track car that was the four runner of those we know today. Soon many of the larger cities along the Atlantic seaboard were visited by the travelers who arrived on the "exotic cars." The first passenger sleeping car was introduced on what was then known as the Cumberland Valley Railroad. It provided three tiers of bunks on one side of the car for weary passengers desiring a few hours' sleep while traveling between Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and points in the Cumberland Valley region of Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1856 George M. Pullman gave his name to a new type upper and lower berth sleeping car. In 1859 he introduced an all-steel version that was a major contributor to railway passenger safety. By 1850,railroads linked the Atlantic Coast with the Great Lakes; Chicago came in the line in 1853,and the rails stretched all the way from New York to the western side of the Mississippi River by 1856. By Acts of Congress in 1862 and 1864,the construction of the first transcontinental railroad was undertaken. It was completed on May 10, 1869 when the Union Pacific running westward from Nebraska,and the Central Pacific coming eastward from California met at Promontory Point, Utah for the famous Golden Spike ceremony. On long trips,passengers were required to change trains at several junction points,because of different track widths (gauge) which made through car service impossible. This inconvenience was eliminated in the 1880's when "standard gauge" of 4'-8 1/2" between the rails was adopted. Air brakes were patented by George Westinghouse in 1872,and were incorporated as standard equipment on passenger cars a few years later. Starting with the American Civil War, which military historians sometimes call "the first railroad war," the nation's rail network became a major factory in military logistics. During the Spanish American and both World Wars, tremendous amounts of material and millions of troops were moved efficiently by train. During World War I the Federal Government assumed control of the nation's railroads,and directed their operation through the United States Railroad Administration. The railroads were returned to their owners in 1920. A new chapter in railroad history began when the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) - - a quasi-public corporation, dedicated to providing modern, efficient, attractive service, began operating the nation's passenger railroads on May 1, 1971. As the nation moves toward tomorrow, new high speed ground transportation will supplement today's trains. The Department of Transportation is currently testing new modes of propulsion such as the linear induction motor, and a tracked air cushioned vehicle capable of speeds up to 300 miles per hour. Passenger car interiors and exteriors are being redesigned to permit easier boarding and exit as well as great comfort, safety, and convenience of passengers. (taken from the Amtrak Historical Society website)