Trains Unlimited

Discover the history of streamlined passenger trains as they wowed the American public from the 1930s to the 1960s.

The urban railroad systems came to respond to the needs of rapidly growing cities at the dawn of the 20th century, using different technological options: New York City, the subway; San Francisco, cable cars. The future points to light-rail technology.

A caboose followed at the end of every freight train, and its design was improved to ensure better conditions, visibility and security for the conductor and brakeman. Their bright colors (red, yellow...) helped them to stay on the memory of the kids that saw them pass, or eventually stop for the conductor to perform some community service when he received a radio message for help.

Circus spectacles were very popular, and had to move from town to town during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, involving heavy logistics of people, animals, and equipment. Specialized circus trains fulfilled that particular need, as seen during a day in the life of a traveling show.

Go inside the cab to learn what it takes to be a "captain of the rails" in this revealing look at the life of engineers.

The Pinkerton detectives protected trains from robbers, and strong men were also hired by the railroads to evict penniless people from taking the train without a ticket. From those early times, security on board of trains got more sophisticated until the end of the 20th century.

Model railroads from the earliest steam-powered 19th century to the mid-20th century electric trains were a fascination to kids always - but mainly an elaborate toy for hard-core adult fans, collectors and constructors.