What is your favorite U.S. railroad?

Question

Including Canada and Mexico

Answer 1

All of mine are "Fallen Flags" railroads from when I was growing up. They are in this order # 1 being first, Illinois Terminal, Illinois Central, Gulf Mobile & Ohio, then after merger Illinois Central Gulf.

Answer 2

I have to admire.hate the UP.

By accident of their founding fathers, who went bankrupt,--which means the original rail road was not a viable economic endevor-- they created the longest line-haul railroad. Which means profitability (once the initial cost was erased by bankruptcy).

But in more modern times, they are the best example of arrogance and hubris that is over come to create disaster then profitability. (That long line haul generates cash to compensate for many mistakes.)

Perhaps the next would be Norfolk and Western. Haul coal down hill--although they've were regarded as a well managed railroad, it's hard to lose money when loads roll down hill and all you have to haul back are empties.

Oh yea, really. I think I admire the best C&NW and Southern Pacific. It took a lot of good management to keep solvent with the disadvantages each had but it's construction. C&NW had a lot of money-eating branch lines (sometimes called the 'spagetti bowl') in the midwest. And SP had a uphill, fuel-eating haul over the Sierra Nevada whether hauling east or west, or long way around through the southwest. (Note how jammed up the system got after the UP took over, bought out SP mangement, then proceeded to manage it with superior UP management.)

Answer 3

I would have to say Amtrak. I know I'll get a lot of "are you serious" for that answer. If the other big railroads still had passenger trains, the I would have a harder time answering the question. I am a passenger train person. They, to me, bring back such a simplicity of life. When did doesn't matter what time you get there, just as long as you do. We are all in such a rush nowadays that most of us don't sit back and just enjoy the ride. We have to be there right now. Traveling by train, you just enjoy life. You can actually see the country, but just fly by it.

But if I would have to pick a freight railroad, I would have to go with Conrail.

Answer 4

As a retired Brakeman and Yardman from the CNR I have to go with the CNR, and not because I worked there. But because it was the best operating railroad in Canada. I once rode the head end of the Super Chief while on vacation back in 60s and it was a fantastic ride in one of those old F7 locomotives, so my second choice would be the Sante Fe.

Answer 5

The White Pass and Yukon railroad from Skagway to Whitehorse.
The scenery can't be beat, and the stop-over meal in Bennet was terrific. And the history of this railway is astounding.

Unfortunately, this line has come and gone several times since then, but if it's up an running, I'd recommend it highly.

Answer 6

Growing up here in Raleigh, North Carolina....I've always liked the Southern Railway for its green and silver steam locomotives. And the Seaboard Air Line, Atlantic Coast Line, and the Norfolk & Western. I also like the Daylight scheme of the Southern Pacific railroad, and the red and silver "warbonnet" scheme of the AT&SF.

Answer 7

I'd say the Fort Worth & Denver, after that the MKT. I grew up spending summers in a small Texas town where both roads
had depots. The Katy went down a lot sooner than the Denver did but by 1971 both depots were torn down. Still I have more fondness for the BNSF than I would the Yellow Borg, but we see lots of UP traffic coming through Austin even today.

Answer 8

Well, like some others have mentioned, I like CN for the reason that they put their signature on my paycheques. Then again, I have an emotional attachment to them, in that I'm the 3rd generation to work for them. It's fun to have an old engine with the zebra stripes in my consist at work these days, and think back to when I would tag along with Dad to work, and see those everywhere.

However, a sentimental favourite is the Seaboard System. I spent part of my younger years living with relatives in the South, and we had the Seaboard mainline across the road from us. Even though the flat gray, gawdy yellow and off-red/orange is one of the more drab and boring looks to have graced an engine, it's something I grew to like, and I remember it fondly.

Answer 9

I gotta go with ridgerunner. By the way. NO LAYOFFS!!!! We gotta keep dem checks comin' in.

But, the late, great Southern Pacific is and will forever be at the top of the heap. They wrote the book on mountain railroading.

Answer 10

Southern Pacific during the steam era. Really enjoyed the Southern Pacific Daylight.