A Big Thank You to Everyone at Metra

Keeping Metra funded is key to Chicago's economy. When extreme weather hits, the great men and women of Metra make sure that commuters have safe and reliable transportation to work. A Big Thank You to everyone at Metra.

TTX Freight Car Artwork by Andy Fletcher

Yesterday I drew a TTX Company Rail Gon gondola to feature in a poster of TTX equipment which also includes 60' and 50' box cars, an intermodal spine car, an intermodal well car and a 60' flat car with tractors.  

See my TTX artwork at http://www.customtrains.org 

A Frisco Freight Train Heads From Memphis to Tulsa

This Frisco freight train heads from Memphis to Tulsa. It carries carloads for interchange with the Santa Fe. Frisco's slogan was "Ship 'it' on the Frisco."  

See my Frisco artwork at http://www.customtrains.org 

Trailer Train Rail Box 60' Box Car Drawing by Andy Fletcher

Today I drew a TTX Company Rail Box 60' Box Car.  Thank you Mari Dee at TTX for giving me this great TTX calendar to record this year's drawings on.  TTX's fleet of Rail Box cars is utilized by all of North America's railroads, giving great flexibility to the box car fleet.  

See my railroad artwork at http://www.customtrains.org 

Albany and Eastern GP38AC Drawing by Andy Fletcher

Today I drew Albany and Eastern GP38AC #2001.  Albany and Eastern is a member of ASLRRA and provides first mile/last mile rail service in the state of Oregon.  

See my Albany & Eastern artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

Maine Central Locomotives at Portland, Maine

These Maine Central locomotives prepare to lead their trains at Portland, Maine.  Maine Central served Northern New England and was known as "The Pine Tree Route."  

See my Maine Central artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

The Apache Railway C424 #98 Artwork by Andy Fletcher

Today I drew The Apache Railway C424 #98. The Apache Railway is a member of ASLRRA and is an Alco stronghold. Apache Railway provides first mile/last mile rail service in Arizona and connects to BNSF Railway. 

See my Apache Railway artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

East Penn Railroad GP38-3 GMTX #2801 Drawing by Andy Fletcher

Yesterday I finished drawing an East Penn Railroad GP38-3.  This locomotive is GMTX locomotive #2801 on lease to East Penn RR from GATX.  East Penn Railroad is a member of ASLRRA.  

See my East Penn Railroad artwork at http://www.customtrains.org 

Iowa Interstate Rock Island Heritage ES44AC #513

Iowa Interstate ES44AC #513 celebrates Iowa Interstate's heritage with the Rock Island railroad.  Iowa Interstate is a member of ASLRRA and provides first mile/last mile service to Iowa and Illinois.  

See my Iowa Interstate artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

The New York Central 20th Century Limited at La Salle Street Station, Chicago

"All Aboard," calls the conductor as the 20th Century Limited prepares to make its way from La Salle Street Station In Chicago. Its 3:00 PM departure puts it just ahead of the commuter rush on the Rock Island. Highball sounds. It is off to Englewood Union Station, then onto Toledo and ultimately Grand Central Terminal.  

See my New York Central artwork at http://www.customtrains.org‬

Western Pacific Locomotives Prepare to Lead Their Trains at Oakland

‪These Western Pacific locomotives prepare to lead their trains At Oakland. Western Pacific was known as The Feather River Route. 

See my Western Pacific artwork at http://www.customtrains.org‬

A Canadian National Grain Train Heads to Prince Rupert Port

This Canadian National train carries grain to Prince Rupert Port from across the Great Plains.  Canadian National's teamwork with its agricultural customers and with a vast network of ports helps foster trade.  
See my Canadian National artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

A Missouri Pacific Train Heads From Pueblo to St. Louis

This Missouri Pacific train heads to St. Louis with carloads for interchange with the Penn Central.  Today's train has Rio Grande carloads from Pueblo.  

See my Missouri Pacific artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

A Norfolk Southern Grain Train at Decatur, Illinois

This Norfolk Southern train heads to Archer Daniels Midland at Decatur, IL.  The Wabash originally served the people of Decatur, its agriculture and industry.  Norfolk Southern pays tribute to the Wabash with its SD70ACe Wabash Heritage Locomotive.  

See my Norfolk Southern artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

Florida East Coast Serves The People and Places of Florida

For many years, Florida East Coast has served the people and places of Florida.  Florida East Coast Railway and Grupo Mexico carry on this tradition as they serve Florida's communities and ports with modern GE Transportation ES44C4 locomotives to move today's freight we need.

See my Florida East Coast Artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

The Baltimore and Ohio Capitol Limited at Cumberland, Maryland

The Baltimore and Ohio Capitol Limited prepares to depart Cumberland, Maryland on its way towards Chicago.  The conductor shouts, "All Aboard."  The horn sounds highball, and the train is on its way.  

See my Baltimore and Ohio artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/baltimore---ohio.html  

A Union Pacific Auto Rack Train at Union Pacific Auto Distribution Center at Kent, Washington

This Union Pacific auto rack train carries finished auto mobiles from the Union Pacific auto distribution center at Kent, Washington.  Union Pacific, the Port of Seattle and Kent, Washington work together to foster trade by transporting the automobiles we need everyday. 
See my Union Pacific artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

Rock Island Locomotives at Des Moines, Iowa

These Rock Island locomotives prepare to lead their trains at Des Moines, Iowa. ASLRRA member regional railroad Iowa Interstate provides first mile/ last mile service in Iowa and Illinois on the former Rock Island. 

See my Rock Island artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/rock-island.html

Erie Railroad Locomotives at Chicago

These Erie Railroad locomotives prepare to move their trains at Chicago.  Erie Railroad connected the Midwest, the Great Lakes States and the Northeast.  

See my Erie Railroad artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

American President Lines 1,000,000th 1987 Container at Port of Seattle

I drew this American President Lines container in 1992 celebrating Port of Seattle's 1,000,000th container for 1987.  A lot of intermodal has been shipped through Port of Seattle since then. Thanks Port of Seattle for all you do to foster trade. 

See my railroad artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

Ferromex Moves the Freight That Moves North America at Ciudad Juarez

This Ferromex train moves freight at Ciudad Juarez. Ferromex moves the freight that moves North America.

See my Ferromex artwork at http://customtrains.org/ferromex.html 

Watco Kansas and Oklahoma Train at Hutchinson, Kansas

This Watco Kansas and Oklahoma train moves grain to the BNSF Railway interchange at Hutchinson, Kansas. Today’s train receives a boost from a GATX leased engine. Watco is a member of ASLRRA. 

See my Watco artwork at http://www.customtrains.org 

A Union Pacific Hub Group Intermodal Train From Global 3 at Rochelle, Illinois

Union Pacific and Hub Group partner to move the freight we need everyday.  This Union Pacific train moves Hub Group intermodal from Global 3 at Rochelle, Illinois. See my Union Pacific artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/union-pacific.html

A Red River Valley and Western Train Interchanges With BNSF at New Rockford, North Dakota

This Red River Valley and Western train takes grain hoppers for interchange with BNSF Railway at New Rockford, North Dakota.  RRV and W provides first mile/last mile service to customers in ND and MN and is a member of ASLRRA.  

See my RRV and W artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/red-river-valley---western.html 

A New York Central Freight Train Heads From St. Louis to Albany

‪
This New York Central freight train heads to Albany with carloads interchanged from Missouri Pacific and Gulf Mobile and Ohio at St. Louis. 

See my New York Central artwork at http://www.customtrains.org ‬

A Seaboard Coast Line GP38-2 at Hamlet, North Carolina

This Seaboard Coast Line GP38-2 leads a fast freight at Hamlet, North Carolina.  When in Hamlet, visit the Hamlet Depot and Museums.

See my Seaboard Coast Line artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

A Santa Fe PA1 Leads the Texas Chief at Fort Worth

This Santa Fe PA1 will arrive within the hour with the Texas Chief at Fort Worth.  At Fort Worth Union Passenger Station, we stop for a club sandwich and an ice cream soda before the train's arrival.
Across the concourse, a family prepares for its trip to Kansas City.  Our final destination today is Chicago.

See my Santa Fe artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/santa-fe-railway.html

A Gulf Mobile and Ohio RS2 Hauls Wood Chips at Mobile, Alabama

A Gulf, Mobile and Ohio RS2 leads a local freight at Mobile, Alabama.  The train has orders to set several cars of wood chips up ahead at the paper mill.
We give a wave to the conductor as the train passes.  He returns our wave and then looks ahead at the pulpwood cars as he prepares for the days chores.

See my Gulf Mobile and Ohio artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/gulf--mobile---ohio.html

Great Job Everyone at Metra on Milwaukee Road Heritage MP36PH #405

Today I drew Metra Milwaukee Road Heritage MP36PH #405.  Great job everyone at #Metra on this locomotive.  It beautifully honors the Milwaukee Road, all who worked for her and all who rode her rails.  

See my Metra artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/metra-posters--matted-prints--magnets--etc..html

A Rio Grande SD40T-2 at Grand Junction, Colorado

We stand along the tracks of the Action Road at Grand Junction, Colorado as a Rio Grande SD40T-2 heads towards Denver with a piggyback train.  Today's train has trailers from the Western Pacific at Salt Lake City bound for the Rock Island.

On this Fall day, the aspen quake and complement the orange and even the road dust on the locomotives and trailers.  As the train passes, we give a wave to the conductor on the caboose.  All is well here on the Rio Grande.

See My Rio Grande artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

Visit my eBay store at https://www.ebay.com/str/andyfletchercustomtrains

A Great Northern Freight Train Heads From Duluth to Minneapolis

This Great Northern train heads from Minneapolis to Duluth.  Today's train carries tools for the iron mining industry.
Great Northern played a key role in opening the iron industry and the industries and agriculture throughout Minnesota and the Great Lakes Region.

See my Great Northern artwork at http://www.customtrains.org

Boarding the Wabash Blue Bird at Dearborn Street Station, Chicago

A Wabash E8 prepares to lead the Blue Bird from Chicago's Dearborn Street Station.  We hold a hot cup of coffee and a Chicago Daily News ready for our ride to St. Louis Union Station.
A cloud of vapor shrouds the steam generator on this winter afternoon.  Snow begins to fall, and we anticipate the comfort of the train.

See my Wabash artwork at http://www.customtrains.org
Visit my eBay store at https://www.ebay.com/str/andyfletchercustomtrains

A Santa Fe SD40-2 Leads a Piggyback Train at Winslow, Arizona

We stand at Winslow, Arizona and witness this Santa Fe SD40-2 as it leads a hot shot piggyback train from Kansas City to Los Angeles.  Santa Fe was known for its direct route from Chicago to the West Coast, which remains a vital asset to today's BNSF Railway.

See my Santa Fe artwork at http://www.customtrains.org
Visit my eBay store at https://www.ebay.com/str/andyfletchercustomtrains

A Delaware and Hudson Freight Train at Rouses Point, New York

This Delaware and Hudson freight heads from Rouses Point to Albany.  We give a wave to the engineer as the train passes our vantage.  
Business is good today on the D and H, as today's train has more loads than empties.  The I Love New York box car proudly advertises a tourism campaign that began by the State of New York in 1977.

See my Delaware and Hudson artwork at  http://www.customtrains.org
Visit my eBay store at https://www.ebay.com/str/andyfletchercustomtrains

A Milwaukee Road SD40-2 at Harlowton, Montana

A Milwaukee Road SD40-2 prepares to add a Little Joe to its freight at Harlowton, Montana.  Today's train prepares to conquest Pipestone Pass on its way to the West Coast on the Pacific Extension.

See my Milwaukee Road artwork at http://www.customtrains.org
Visit my eBay store at https://www.ebay.com/str/andyfletchercustomtrains

A Louisville and Nashville SD40 Leads a Freight Train at Corbin, Kentucky

This Louisville and Nashville SD40 leads a long freight train at Corbin, Kentucky.  Today's train is headed for the Ohio River at Cincinnati.
We give a wave as the locomotives pass, and, after the train passes, we stop for lunch.  Besides being a well known Louisville and Nashville town, Corbin was where Kentucky Fried Chicken started many years ago.

See my Louisville and Nashville artwork at http://www.customtrains.org
Visit my eBay store at https://www.ebay.com/str/andyfletchercustomtrains

A Maine Central GP7 Heads South From Bangor

This Maine Central GP7 heads south from Bangor with interchange traffic from Bangor and Aroostook.  Today's train carries carloads of lumber from Maine's pine forests and potatoes from Aroostook County.  At Portland, today's train will be interchanged to the Boston and Maine.

See my Maine Central, Bangor and Aroostook and Boston and Maine artwork at http://www.customtrains.org
Visit my eBay store at https://www.ebay.com/str/andyfletchercustomtrains

A New York Central F7 Leads a Fast Freight at Buffalo

This New York Central F7 leads a fast freight at Buffalo, New York.  New York Central was known as the Scenic Water Level Route.  

See my New York Central artwork at http://www.customtrains.org
Visit my eBay store at https://www.ebay.com/str/andyfletchercustomtrains

A Union Pacific Freight Train Heads For Interchange With Chicago and North Western

These Union Pacific locomotives lead a general merchandise for interchange with the Chicago and North Western.  At Chicago, many of the train's carloads will be interchanged to CSX.

See my Union Pacific, Chicago and North Western and CSX artwork at http://www.customtrains.org
Visit my eBay store at https://www.ebay.com/str/andyfletchercustomtrains

A Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range SD38-2 Moves Taconite at Proctor, Minnesota

This Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range SD38-2 moves taconite at Proctor, Minnesota.  Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range was one of the US Steel Railroads and is part of today's Canadian National.

See my Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/dm-ir.html

An Illinois Central GP40 Leads a Grain Train at Fort Dodge, Iowa

This Illinois Central GP40 leads a grain train from Fort Dodge, Iowa to Chicago.  Illinois Central was known as the "Mainline of Mid-America."
See my Illinois Central artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/illinois-central.html

Lehigh Valley Locomotives at Oak Island Yard

These Lehigh Valley locomotives prepare to move their trains at Oak Island Yard.  Lehigh Valley was an Alco stronghold and remains in the hearts of us all.

See my Lehigh Valley artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/lehigh-valley.html

Missouri Pacific Locomotives at St. Louis

These Missouri Pacific locomotives prepare to move their trains at St. Louis.  Missouri Pacific was known as the "Route of the Eagles."

See my Missouri Pacific artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/missouri-pacific.html

Travel Aboard The Webb Rail Babbling Brook Is An Experience of a Lifetime

It is the after dinner hour aboard the Babbling Brook.  Passengers rejoice as they witness the sunset over coffee and desert.
This historic railcar gives passengers an opportunity to experience railroad history on a journey across America.  Travel aboard the Babbling Brook, restored by John Webb of Webb Rail, is truly an experience of a lifetime.

An Alaska Railroad GP38 Heads From Fairbanks to Anchorage

This Alaska Railroad GP38 works a grain train from Fairbanks to Anchorage.  The Alaska Railroad and the Port of Anchorage working together help foster global trade.  Alaska Railroad is a member of ASLRRA.

See my Alaska Railroad artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/alaska-railroad.html

A Chicago Burlington and Quincy SD9 at Denver

This Chicago, Burlington and Quincy SD9 leads a manifest freight out of Denver.  With the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, this locomotive's slogan "Everywhere West," proudly advertises the Burlington Route and its connections.

See my Chicago Burlington and Quincy artwork at http://www.customtrains.org 

A Chessie System Train Heads From Elkins, West Virginia to Cumberland

This Chessie System train heads from Elkins, West Virginia towards Cumberland.  At Cumberland, its carloads will be classified for destinations such as Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Baltimore.  

See my Chessie System artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/chessie-system.html

Drawing of the Day January 2nd 2019: Bay Colony GP9 #1706

Today I drew my first drawing of 2019, Bay Colony GP9 #1706.  Bay Colony is a member of ASLRRA that provides first mile/last mile railroad service in Massachusetts. 

See my Bay Colony artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/bay-colony-railroad.html

Discussing The Stock Market in the Club Car of a Pennsylvania Railroad Clocker

A Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 leads a Clocker from New York City to Philadelphia.  With the Wall Street Journal open and martinis poured freely in the club car, discussions flow about the yields of quarterly dividends.

See my Pennsylvania Railroad artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/pennsylvania-railroad.html

A Nickel Plate Road GP30 Works Fast Freight Trains

This Nickel Plate Road GP30 locomotive leads a fast freight at Chicago, Illinois.  GP30 locomotives worked fast freights on the railroad known for its slogan, "High Speed Service."

See my Nickel Plate Road artwork at http://www.customtrains.org/nickel-plate-road.html