On October 23, 1936, one of the new Denver Zephyrs set a new world's speed record for a long distance non-stop run by dashing from Chicago to Denver in 12 hours, 12 minutes... 1017 miles at an average speed of 83.3 mph. Top speed on this spectacular run exceeded 116 miles an hour. It slashed by 53 minutes the previous record run of the original Zephyr, from Denver to Chicago in May, 1934.
The Burlington Lines of today had its inception in the tiny 12-mile Aurora Branch, chartered on February 12, 1849. From this modest beginning has emerged an 11,000 mile network of rails reaching into 14 Midwestern states. Burlington was first to operate a railway postoffice car; first to inaugurate a Diesel streamlined train; and first to introduce a Vista-Dome car.
The new diesel powered, stainless steel California Zephyr between Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City and San Francisco features the unique Vista-Dome cars. This train operates via the Burlington, Rio Grande, and Western Pacific railroads through the Colorado Rockies and Feather River Canyon... the Scenic Way Across America.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Burlington Zephyrs
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The Blue Angels
The United States Navy's Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, popularly known as the Blue Angels, first performed in 1946 and is currently the oldest flying aerobatic team.
The squadron's six demonstration pilots fly the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet in more than 70 shows at 34 locations throughout the United States each year, where they still employ many of the same practices and techniques used in their aerial displays in 1946.
Since their inception, the "Blues" have flown a variety of different aircraft types for more than 427 million spectators worldwide.
Since their first flight demonstration in Grumman F6F Hellcats in June 1946, the Blue Angels have thrilled millions of people with the most exact, low-level formation flying ever performed. Today the Blue Angels are flying supersonic F11F-1 Tiger, to demonstrate precision techniques of Naval aviation to Naval personnel and the public. (1950s postcard photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy)
The F11F-1 Tiger joined the fleet in 1957 as a replacement to Grumman's F8U Crusader. The Blue Angels flew the Tiger from 1957 to 1969. (U.S. Navy Photo)
The McDonnell Douglas A-4F "Skyhawk II" was flown by the Blue Angels from 1974 to 1986. (U.S. Navy Photo)
In 1986 the Blue Angels replaced their A-4F "Skyhawks" with the Boeing F/A-18 "Hornet".
The squadron's six demonstration pilots fly the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet in more than 70 shows at 34 locations throughout the United States each year, where they still employ many of the same practices and techniques used in their aerial displays in 1946.Since their inception, the "Blues" have flown a variety of different aircraft types for more than 427 million spectators worldwide.
Since their first flight demonstration in Grumman F6F Hellcats in June 1946, the Blue Angels have thrilled millions of people with the most exact, low-level formation flying ever performed. Today the Blue Angels are flying supersonic F11F-1 Tiger, to demonstrate precision techniques of Naval aviation to Naval personnel and the public. (1950s postcard photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy)The F11F-1 Tiger joined the fleet in 1957 as a replacement to Grumman's F8U Crusader. The Blue Angels flew the Tiger from 1957 to 1969. (U.S. Navy Photo)The McDonnell Douglas A-4F "Skyhawk II" was flown by the Blue Angels from 1974 to 1986. (U.S. Navy Photo)In 1986 the Blue Angels replaced their A-4F "Skyhawks" with the Boeing F/A-18 "Hornet".
Monday, May 6, 2013
National Train Day 2013
Amtrak will host the sixth annual National Train Day on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at historic L.A. Union Station from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This family friendly event is free to the public. National Train Day Link.
National Train Day is back to celebrate train travel and the ways trains touch the lives of people across America. May 11, 2013, will be the day where train stations and other venues across the country, host activities and exhibits that highlight the past, present and future of trains and travel. Amtrak will host major events in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles with free live entertainment and activities for both children and adults: interactive and educational exhibits, model train displays and tours of Amtrak equipment, and notable private railroad cars - just to name a few!
National Train Day is back to celebrate train travel and the ways trains touch the lives of people across America. May 11, 2013, will be the day where train stations and other venues across the country, host activities and exhibits that highlight the past, present and future of trains and travel. Amtrak will host major events in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles with free live entertainment and activities for both children and adults: interactive and educational exhibits, model train displays and tours of Amtrak equipment, and notable private railroad cars - just to name a few!
Amtrak California Zephyr near Truckee, California.
Photo by: Donald E. Jocelyn - Richard E. Cox Enterprises.
Trains take us where we need and want to go. They give us a glimpse into other people’s lives. They bring jobs to cities, help local businesses flourish, draw activity to sleepy towns and help fund improvements to roads and buildings around the stations. They bring us to school, to work, to visit a friend in need. They connect our towns together. They connect us to each other. They tell the American story.
Only on a train do we see more of the world around us
and live more of the experiences we have when we discover the 'rail way'.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Vintage Airplanes
These cards are from a series of 40 American Heritage Cards produced by the Milton Bradley Company in 1961.
The Lockheed Vega, first introduced in 1927, set a new standard for all purpose passenger carrying aircraft. In June 1931 Wiley Post and Harold Gatty lifted the "Winnie Mae" off the Roosevelt Field runway in New York to fly around the world. More info on Wikipedia.
The National Air Races, held annually from 1926 until 1939, provided an exciting stimulant to aviation development. Perhaps the most unique racers built for this competition were the "Gee-Bees" designed by Bob Hall. More info on Wikipedia.
In the 1920's the Ford Motor Company was the best known name in industry and when Henry Ford went into the aviation business the nation sat up and took notice. The Ford Tri-Motor affectionately known as the "Tin Goose," was one of the finest airplanes ever built in America. More info on Wikipedia.
One of the most graceful flying boats ever built. the Boeing 314 Clipper went into service for Pan American Airways in 1939. Only 12 of these ocean spanning giants were ever constructed by Boeing, but their fame was world wide. More info on Wikipedia.
The famous "DC line" of Douglas propeller driven transport planes, begun in the mid 1930's, reached its ultimate development with the DC-7. This comfortable, dependable plane, introduced in 1953, soon became the mainstay of airlines all over the world. More info on Wikipedia.
The Lockheed Vega, first introduced in 1927, set a new standard for all purpose passenger carrying aircraft. In June 1931 Wiley Post and Harold Gatty lifted the "Winnie Mae" off the Roosevelt Field runway in New York to fly around the world. More info on Wikipedia.The National Air Races, held annually from 1926 until 1939, provided an exciting stimulant to aviation development. Perhaps the most unique racers built for this competition were the "Gee-Bees" designed by Bob Hall. More info on Wikipedia.In the 1920's the Ford Motor Company was the best known name in industry and when Henry Ford went into the aviation business the nation sat up and took notice. The Ford Tri-Motor affectionately known as the "Tin Goose," was one of the finest airplanes ever built in America. More info on Wikipedia.One of the most graceful flying boats ever built. the Boeing 314 Clipper went into service for Pan American Airways in 1939. Only 12 of these ocean spanning giants were ever constructed by Boeing, but their fame was world wide. More info on Wikipedia.The famous "DC line" of Douglas propeller driven transport planes, begun in the mid 1930's, reached its ultimate development with the DC-7. This comfortable, dependable plane, introduced in 1953, soon became the mainstay of airlines all over the world. More info on Wikipedia.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Modern Locomotives
A postcard retrospective of what were the "Modern Diesel Locomotives" of the 1940's and 50's.
Union Pacific "City of Denver" and the Chicago & North Western "Twin Cities 400" at Chicago, Illinois.
The "City of San Francisco" a Electro Motive E2 locomotive set jointly owned by Union Pacific, Chicago & North Western and Southern Pacific Railroads.
Deleware & Hudson "Adirondack" powered by ex-Santa Fe, Alco PA diesel locomotives at Montreal Station.
New York Central "New England States" train at Englewood Station outside of Chicago Illinois. EMD E8 diesel locomotives leading the way from Boston to Chicago.
EMD F9 diesel locomotive leads the Northern Pacific's "Mainstreeter" a companion train to the more prestigous "North Coast Limited" passenger train.
Union Pacific "City of Denver" and the Chicago & North Western "Twin Cities 400" at Chicago, Illinois.The "City of San Francisco" a Electro Motive E2 locomotive set jointly owned by Union Pacific, Chicago & North Western and Southern Pacific Railroads.Deleware & Hudson "Adirondack" powered by ex-Santa Fe, Alco PA diesel locomotives at Montreal Station.New York Central "New England States" train at Englewood Station outside of Chicago Illinois. EMD E8 diesel locomotives leading the way from Boston to Chicago.EMD F9 diesel locomotive leads the Northern Pacific's "Mainstreeter" a companion train to the more prestigous "North Coast Limited" passenger train.
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