The Transportation Historian
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transporthistorian.bsky.social
The Transportation Historian
@transporthistorian.bsky.social
540 followers 100 following 120 posts
Here I talk about the history and future of transportation (mostly in the US). I also delve into urbanism, biking, or technology occasionally. Also, I have a bad tendency to post late at night.

I like trains
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transporthistorian.bsky.social
Wabash #Pittsburgh Terminal

Apparently it was only in passenger operation for a relatively short period of time (1904-1931), but the architecture is really cool.

A lot of old #train stations like this had grand interiors, so I wonder what the interior looked like, but I couldn't find any photos.
A grayscale photo of the Wabash Pittsburgh Terminal Building in 1905. The intricate stone and brick building is approximately 10 stories tall and located on the corner of two streets, giving it a distinctive triangular shape. On top is a cupola and a large clock. On both streets people and carriages can be seen, as well as streetcar tracks. It was located approximately on the corner of what is now Stanwix Street and Liberty Avenue.
July 9, 2025 at 4:50 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
I really like seeing a government document arguing that we need to make our cities more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly.

If only the government would actually go and do it instead of making 164 page PDFs on why they should do it.
Improve efficiency by expanding affordable, accessible, efficient, and reliable options like public transportation and rail, and improving the efficiency of all vehicles... Because everyone deserves efficient transportation options that will allow them to move around affordably and safely, and because consuming less energy as we move saves money, strengthens our national security, and reduces GHG emissions.
December 28, 2024 at 2:30 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
This section basically states that while other nations have nationalized rail and highway systems, our rail system doesn't generally receive public funds while our highway system is nationalized, creating an unfair playing field. It also mentions that we HAD electric freight before.
While the expansiveness of the U.S. rail network is often cited as a barrier to electrification, the next three largest rail networks in the world (China at 75% electrified, Russia at 51% electrified, and India at 96% electrified) are majority electrified with overhead catenary, suggesting that size alone is not a major barrier to electrification. Nationalized rail systems are common globally, which affords governments greater involvement and authority in building out and investing in rail networks. The U.S. highway network is primarily publicly owned and largely publicly subsidized through federal and state gas taxes and general funds, whereas the freight rail network is primarily privately owned and generally not directly subsidized. Achieving the decarbonization goals for the entire transport system will require investment in rail infrastructure at a much higher level than in the past, both to expand the rail network and to decarbonize rail operations. In the early 1900s, a portion of the U.S. freight rail network relied on catenary, especially in places subject to congestion and pollution, such as tunnels. The energy crisis of the early 1970s prompted electrification studies for mainline freight rail corridors. Many of these corridors still transport the greatest amounts of tonnage and represent priority areas for electrification planning.
December 28, 2024 at 2:30 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
The two attached images are proposed routes for electric catenary. The first image is older proposals, but includes a huge number of routes all over the US. The second image is the routes currently thought to have "high-potential for catenary."
A map of the US with select rail corridors which were proposed for electrification in the 1970s and 1983. There are several corridors shown all over the country in almost every state, but most of these are not currently electrified. A map of high-potential routes for catenary. It has significantly fewer routes than the previous map. However, this map does include but is not limited to the following routes: Chicago to Portland/Seattle, Chicago to Detroit, Chicago to Salt Lake City, Chicago to Dallas then Dallas to Houston or Los Angeles, various corridors in the northeast, and a line south from Cincinnati to Atlanta.
December 28, 2024 at 2:30 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
In 1955, this is what the outside of #armynavy game looked like. For decades, the PRR used to run special services to and from the army-navy game in Philadelphia, utilizing a nearby yard as a makeshift station. The PRR always used their flagship electric GG1s for this service. Service ended in 1975.
An illustration of the outside of the 1955 army-navy game. The stadium is visible in the background on the left side. The picture is dominated by several passenger train stopped in a row with the GG1 locomotives in front. Hundreds of passengers are visible crossing in front of the parked locomotives, appearing to be returning to the locomotives after the game. Signs are posted in front of the locomotives, presumably to help passengers return to the correct train. Overhead catenary wires can be see above the trains, providing electrical power to the locomotives.
December 14, 2024 at 11:14 PM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
All I want for #Christmas is
Painting of a bright red Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 electric locomotive pulling a passenger train painted in the same red color scheme through a winter forest. Snow covers the tracks and is being thrown up from the wheels. A white cloud is forming behind the locomotive. A Pennsylvania Railroad caboose is on another track being pulled the other direction by another train hidden behind the first one.
December 12, 2024 at 10:00 PM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
All of them

(Although you should probably start with Columbus)
A map of the railroads in Ohio published in 1895. The map shows Ohio with its railroad lines, cities, counties, and their distances from Columbus measured in 25 mile increments. The map was published by the state and prepared under the direction of the Commissioner of Railroads & Telegraphs.
November 30, 2024 at 4:14 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
Head empty, only Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 electric locomotive.
Black and white photograph of Pennsylvania Railroad class GG1 electric locomotive 4868 pulling a passenger train with stainless steel cars around a curve on a dual-track mainline. High voltage power lines and some clouds are visible above.
November 24, 2024 at 6:03 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
In case anyone was curious what this photo of Columbus would look like if it was taken today, I tried to match up a Google Earth image with the old photograph.

If only I could put all the old rail infrastructure back in every city in Ohio...
Aerial Google Earth image of downtown Columbus, OH looking south. The Greater Columbus Convention Center is in the foreground in the same location that Columbus Union Station once stood. I-670 is barely visible at the bottom of the image. Several of the same roadways seen in the old photo are still present, but with several new ramps. LeVeque Tower is visible in the background, as are several newer skyscrapers.
November 22, 2024 at 2:27 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
This map shows the combined interurban networks of Ohio and Indiana, the two states with the largest networks, in 1908.
A map of interurban lines in Ohio and Indiana. Every major city is included plus several smaller cities. The largest concentration is in the areas between Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Toledo, and Dayton. Additionally, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Terre Haute appear to be regional hubs with several lines leading into surrounding areas.
November 13, 2024 at 9:25 PM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
Well, that is kinda neat I suppose
Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #2,706,281.
September 18, 2024 at 1:45 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
Currently thinking about the old Penn Station in NYC. I'd seen the exterior and waiting room before, but I never really looked into it. The waiting room alone was almost 15 stories tall. Bluesky doesn't have enough characters to do justice to this station, so you'll just have look at the pictures.
Penn Station's main concourse area, featuring a massive arched glass roof, large glass windows all around, and floors with glass holes to allow light through. Penn Station's concourse with train platforms visible below. Sunlight streams in from the roof. Several open staircases lead from the platforms to the concourse floor suspended above. Penn Station's massive waiting room, featuring large arched windows above, large pillars around the room, and several small lightposts. A handful of people are waiting and appear tiny compared to the room.
August 18, 2024 at 5:10 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
I finally decided to purchase a cargo #ebike for myself. I've been riding it for a little while now and it's been amazing. I rarely rode my #bike before and now I'm trying to find excuses to ride more often.
I'm planning to use it primarily to get groceries.

#Aventon #CargoBike
A picture of an Aventon Abound longtail cargo ebike on the edge of a sidewalk near some trees. The bike is sage green and features a step-through frame, storage bag, and smaller tires.
June 6, 2024 at 1:45 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
The Budd RDC (Rail Diesel Car) was a diesel multiple unit built between 1949 and 1962. They were particularly useful for rural passenger service with low traffic.
I really wish we still had these today for many routes which can't justify a larger train, but where a single car would be perfect.
Reading Lines 9163 departing Reading Terminal in September, 1964. The train consists of multiple stainless steel Budd RDC cars coupled together. Overhead catenary and the station roof is visible in the background.
June 5, 2024 at 4:29 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
A century ago, this photo was taken in Haubstadt, Indiana. This town had a train station and electric interurban service, with a population of less than 700.
Today, even major cities with populations in the hundreds of thousands sometimes lack basic rail service. It's painful how much we've lost.
Black and white photograph looking down the main street of a small town. Small two story wood and brick buildings line the street. In the center of the street are multiple train tracks, one of which has overhead catenary lines. A small wooden train station is visible in the distance with a rear caboose of a stopped cargo train visible on an adjacent track.
May 22, 2024 at 5:29 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
I was wrong about trains. Clearly, this is the future of transportation.
First Official Missile Mail United States Post Office. Depicts a missile flying through the sky with NAVY written on the side and U.S. Air Force markings.
April 2, 2024 at 3:30 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
I've had a physical copy of this #railroad #map of #Ohio from 1895, and I found the digital version. You can see that there was once #rail lines to nearly every city and town across the state. And of course this still doesn't include every railroad or any of the electric interurbans.
A map of the railroads in Ohio published in 1895. The map shows railroad lines, most cities, counties, and the distance from Columbus measured in 25 mile increments. It also has a list of every railroad operating in the state. The map was published by the state and prepared under the direction of the Commissioner of Railroads & Telegraphs.
March 6, 2024 at 3:52 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
It's a shame that trolleybuses seem to be forgotten by cities when considering making buses electric. They avoid a lot of the problems of modern battery electric buses.

Of course, I'd take more diesel buses over individual cars any day, but there are a lot of other electric transit options as well.
A photo of a green trolleybus on the side of the road connected to overhead wires for power.
March 1, 2024 at 2:07 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
I keep making posts way too late at night, but here's a special one for those of you who also stay up late.
An image of an old postcard labeled "NORTH MAIN STREET BY NIGHT, LIMA, OHIO." The image looks down a dark street illuminated only by the moonlight and is lined by three-to-four story buildings with lit windows. The moon is visible high in the sky with several large dark clouds surrounding it. A streetcar line runs down the center of the road, and a single streetcar approaches. Several people are visible on the street and sidewalk, and a handful of cars are parked on the edges of the street.
February 13, 2024 at 6:38 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
I found an old photograph online that I think is kinda cool from June 1895 of an electric interurban line being built in the middle of the street. I believe this is from Westerville, Ohio on South State Street.
A black and white photograph of interurban track being built in the middle of the street. Several people are standing over the tracks doing work with hand tools. Small buildings and trees line the sides of the street.
February 12, 2024 at 1:44 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
Columbus Union Station was a large train station located in the heart of Columbus. It was demolished in the seventies despite being placed on the national register of historic places. It was replaced by the Greater Columbus Convention Center. A single archway is all that survives of the station.
A black and white photograph of the front facade of Columbus Union Station. The entrance features highly ornate decoration with large pillars and archways. A streetcar is visible on the street in front of the station. A black and white photograph of the main portion of Columbus Union Station. The main station building is visible on the right side and the platforms are visible on the left side. The platforms are covered by a large roof structure. A small street is visible connecting the main station building to the main street network.
January 20, 2024 at 3:53 AM
transporthistorian.bsky.social
I finally bought a model GG1.

It almost certainly wasn't worth it, but I think it just looks so cool.
A photograph of an HO scale model Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 #4929 with the front headlight illuminated. The front and left sides of the locomotive are visible. The number 4929 and the word "PENNSYLVANIA" are clearly visible on the side. Two pantographs are visible on top of the locomotive.
January 8, 2024 at 6:57 AM