A Chicago Burlington and Quincy Train Heads to Chicago

This Chicago, Burlington and Quincy train heads to Chicago.  The SD9 in the consist has received a fresh coat of red paint to match the newer GP30s and GP35s that have arrived on the CB and Q.

See my Chicago, Burlington and Quincy artwork at customtrains.org

 

A Chicago Great Western Train Heads To Oelwein, Iowa

This Chicago Great Western train heads to Oelwein, Iowa.  Today's train is powered by an SD40 and a GP30, which have replaced a few of CGW's covered wagon's here and there.  Unfortunately, the second generation locomotives were too little too late in a Midwest filled with competitors such as the Chicago and North Western and the Rock Island.

 

A Baltimore and Ohio Train Heads to Cumberland

This Baltimore and Ohio train heads to Cumberland from Pittsburgh.  Today's train carries carloads of steel to Baltimore.

See my Baltimore and Ohio artwork at customtrains.org

 

"Let's Draw A Train" By Andy Fletcher Western Pacific F7 913

Today in my "Let's Draw A Train" YouTube drawing demonstration series, I drew the cab of Western Pacific F7 #913, which is at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.  In this three part drawing demonstration, I discuss how I get the shape of an F-Unit nose and how important placing the striping is on locomotives in order to place the lettering.

See my Let's Draw A Train drawing demonstrations on my andyfletchertrains YouTube channel

https://youtu.be/QKknpFM20Vs

 

"Let's Draw A Train," Illinois Central SD40A #6007 by Andy Fletcher

I started a new drawing demonstration series on YouTube today called "Let's Draw A Train."  The first drawing demonstration I do is of the cab of Illinois Central SD40A #6007.  The drawing demonstration is in four parts to help you find parts of the segment that you want to work on the most.

Here is a link to part one of the Illinois Central SD40A 6007 cab drawing demonstration on YouTube

https://youtu.be/dNug0iFp1fg

 

A Tribute To BC Rail's Dash 8-40CMs

I always liked the Dash 8-40CM's of BC Rail.  For years, as a railroad artist in California, I only got to see BC Rail's Dash 8-40CM's in magazine photos.  Dash 8-40CM #4611 was the first locomotive I drew for BC Rail.  

Years later and after the CN merger, while visiting Decatur, Illinois, It was exciting to see a CN coal train waiting in a siding.  There, for the first time, I got to see Dash 8-40CM.

See my BC Rail artwork at customtrains.org

 

Dave's Depot Memories Taking Amtrak at Grand Junction, Colorado

Dave's Depot at the Grand Junction, Colorado Amtrak station was always one of my favorite stops on the California Zephyr trip from my hometown of Davis to Chicago.  At Dave's Depot, I would always stop and get an ice cream sandwich.  Several years ago, Dave's Depot unfortunately closed, however, I will always have great memories of eating ice cream sandwiches while taking Amtrak at Grand Junction.

 

Baltimore and Ohio Locomotives at Cincinnati

These Baltimore and Ohio locomotives move trains at Cincinnati.  The F7 leads a train to Cumberland, while the GP7 heads west to St. Louis.

See my Baltimore and Ohio artwork at customtrains.org

 

Burlington Northern F7 644 at Portland, Oregon

Burlington Northern F7 644 leads a local train at Portland, Oregon.  Today's train takes box cars and bulkhead flat cars back to the lumber mills.

See my Burlington Northern artwork at customtrains.org

An Atlantic Coast Line GP7 at Atlanta

 An Atlantic Coast Line GP7 leads a local train at Atlanta.  Today's train carries carloads of lumber and appliances that have been interchanged from the Louisville and Nashville.

See my Atlantic Coast Line artwork at customtrains.org

"Union Pacific Trains" Music Video by Andy Fletcher

 Thank you to my friends George Foster and Jeff Haddow for contribuiting their great videos of Union Pacific trains to help make my new music video "Union Pacific Trains". Watch my new music video on my AndyFletcherMusic YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/p9tl3cs94OM

A Louisville and Nashville Train Heads To Atlanta at Memphis

This Louisville and Nashville train heads to Atlanta at Memphis.  Today's train carries carloads from the Missouri Pacific and Frisco.

See my Louisville and Nashville artwork at customtrains.org

 

Holiday Travelers Share Great Memories Aboard Amtrak

Holiday travelers anticipate seeing family and friends aboard Amtrak.  Travelers share stories of presents they are giving and great holiday memories.

See my Amtrak artwork at customtrains.org

 

A Northern Pacific Train at Missoula

This Northern Pacific train heads west at Missoula.  Today's train heads towards Spokane, Washington.  Northern Pacific was known as the Route of the North Coast Limited.

See my Northern Pacific artwork at customtrains.org

 

"Conrail, Paint It Blue" by Andy Fletcher

Thank you to my friend, Steve Myers, for contributing his great Conrail photos to help make my new music video “Conrail, Paint It Blue,” which pays tribute to the workers of Conrail and Conrail’s history. Watch the music video on my AndyFletcherMusic YouTube https://youtu.be/JPz0rC4oHU4

 

An Illinois Central Train Heads To New Orleans

This Illinois Central train heads to New Orleans.  Today's train carries carloads of coal and furniture from Illinois.  

See my Illinois Central artwork at customtrains.org

 

New York Central Locomotives Move Trains at Buffalo

These New York Central locomotives move trains at Buffalo.  The F7 leads a train to Chicago, while the GP7 leads a train to St. Louis.

See my New York Central artwork at customtrains.org

 

Clinchfield Locomotives Move Trains at Spartanburg

These Clinchfield locomotives move trains at Spartanburg.  The SD45-2 and SD40 prepare to move a train to Kingsport.

See my Clinchfield artwork at customrains.org

 

Lehigh Valley Locomotives Move Trains at Oak Island

These Lehigh Valley locomotives move trains at Oak Island.  The GP9 and RS3 move a general merchandise train to Buffalo.

See my Lehigh Valley artwork at customtrains.org

 

Frisco Locomotives Move Trains at Memphis

These Frisco locomotives move trains at Memphis.  The GP35 and GP7 lead a general merchandise train to Tulsa.  

See my Frisco artwork at customtrains.org

 

A Grand Trunk Western Train Moves Auto Parts At Detroit

This Grand Trunk Western train moves auto parts to Detroit.  Grand Trunk Western played a key role in shipping both materials and finished automobiles for the auto industry.  Grand Trunk Western is part of today's Canadian National.

See my Grand Trunk Western artwork at customtrains.org

 

A Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Train Carries Rio Grande Carloads To Denver

This Chicago, Burlington and Quincy train carries carloads to the Rio Grande at Denver.  The Rio Grande carloads will cross the Rockies and head onto Salt Lake City.  Quite a few will head west on the Western Pacific to California.

See my Chicago, Burlington and Quincy artwork at customtrains.org

 

An Arkansas and Missouri Train Carries BNSF Carloads at Springdale, AR

This Arkansas and Missouri train departs Springdale, Arkansas.  Today's train has carloads to interchange with the BNSF at Monett.

See my Arkanss and Missouri artwork at customtrains.org

See my "The Arkansas & Missouri Song" music video on my AndyFletcherMusic youtube channel

https://youtu.be/nnLIbge8cCk

 

Baltimore and Ohio Capitol Limited at Cumberland

The Baltimore and Ohio Capitol Limited heads west at Cumberland.  Today's train carries Holiday travelers to Chicago.  

See my Baltimore and Ohio artwork at customtrains.org

 

Railroads of Truckee by Andy Fletcher

Truckee played a key role in the building of the first Transcontinental Railroad and has played a key role the crossing of the Sierra by Southern Pacific and successor Union Pacific.  When taking Amtrak's California Zephyr, Truckee is a great station stop for great shopping, ski resorts and outdoor recreation throughout the Sierra.

See my Railroads of Truckee poster at customtrains.org

 

Railroads of Denver by Andy Fletcher

Denver plays an important role as a railroad city.  Its location made it an important gateway to the crossing of the Rocky Mountains to the west.  

The Rio Grande connected Denver to Salt Lake City, while railroads such as the Chicago Burlington and Quincy and Rock Island connected Denver to Chicago.  Santa Fe continued to the southwest to Los Angeles.  Union Pacific, in the years before its acquisition of the Rio Grande and then the Southern Pacific as well as the Chicago and North Western, connected Denver to Omaha.  Chicago, Burlington and Quincy would become part of Burlington Northern, which would ultimately merge with Santa Fe to form BNSF.

See my Railroads of Denver artwork at customtrains.org

 

A Chicago Great Western Train Heads To Kansas City

This Chicago Great Western train heads to Kansas City.  Chicago Great Western's system covered much of the Great Plains, however, systems such as the Rock Island and Chicago and North Western proved to be more efficient.  In the end, the CGW was merged into the Chicago and North Western, with much of its trackage being abandoned.

 

BNSF Steel Train at Stockton, CA

This BNSF train carries steel at Stockton, California.  Today's train is headed for Fresno on the former Santa Fe.

 

Illinois Terminal And The Glow Worm Music Video By Andy Fletcher

Thank you to my friend and Illinois Terminal railroader, Gary Forshaw, for contributing his amazing videos of Illinois Terminal to help make my music video for my song "Illinois Terminal And The Glow Worm. Watch the music video on my AndyFletcherMusic YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/0tYJelBJOKc

 

Boston and Maine pre-McGinnis era Locomotives

Today, we see several Boston and Maine locomotives in the pre-McGinnis era.  The E-unit is getting ready to head to Portland from Boston, while the F-units prepare to head to Vermont with a manifest freight.

See my Boston and Maine artwork at customtrains.org

 

Great Northern Locomotives at Spokane, Washington

These Great Northern locomotives move trains at Spokane, Washington.  The F45 and U33C lead a manifest train to the Twin Cities while the SW1500 builds a train in the yard.

See my Great Northern artwork at customtrains.org

 

An Auto-Train U36B at Sanford, Florida

This Auto-Train U36B departs Sanford, Florida headed to Lorton, Virginia.  Auto-Train's popular passenger service carried passengers automobiles from Virginia to Florida in order that passengers could have their cars at popular tourist destinations.

Although the original Auto-Train service went bankrupt mainly due to an attempt to expand its service, Auto-Train service was popular enough to be resurrected under Amtrak.

See my Auto Train artwork at customtrains.org

 

An Atlantic Coast Line GP7 at Jacksonville

Atlantic Coast Line GP7 leads a local freight train at Jacksonville, Florida.  Today's train has carloads of tools that have made their way from Atlanta on the ACL.

See my Atlantic Coast Line artwork at customtrains.org

 

Lehigh Valley Locomotives at Oak Island

These Lehigh Valley locomotives move trains at Oak Island.  The C420 leads a general merchandise train to Buffalo.

See my Lehigh Valley artwork at customtrains.org

 

Spokane, Portland and Seattle Locomotives at Portland

These Spokane, Portland and Seattle locomotives move trains at Portland.  The C636 and C425 move a general merchandise train to Spokane.  SP and S was well known for its fleet of Alco locomotives in the Northwest.

See my Spokane, Portland and Seattle artwork at customtrains.org

 

A Baltimore and Ohio Train at Pittsburgh

This Baltimore and Ohio train heads from Pittsburgh to Chicago.  Today's train has carloads of steel headed west.

See my Baltimore and Ohio artwork at customtrains.org

 

BNSF Intermodal Train at Albuquerque, New Mexico

This BNSF intermodal train heads west at Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Intermodal trains provide flexible, fuel efficient transportation to move the freight we need everyday.

See my BNSF artwork at customtrains.org

 

Illinois Central Locomotives at Memphis

These Illinois Central locomotives move trains at Memphis.  The U33C and SD40A move a general merchandise train to New Orleans.  

See my Illinois Central artwork at customtrains.org

 

A Boston and Maine Piggyback Train

This Boston and Maine piggyback train heads to Boston.  For a railroad of its size, Boston and Maine had a large amount of piggyback trailers in service.  I often remember seeing quite a few Boston and Maine piggyback trailers when watching trains in my hometown of Davis, CA.

See my Boston and Maine artwork at customtrains.org

 

CSX SD70MAC #700, "Spirit of Cumberland"

Recently, I drew CSX SD70MAC #700, "Spirit of Cumberland," for a friend.  I have always enjoyed visiting Cumberland, Maryland on the CSX.  Whenever my travels take me through the area, if possible, I make a point to stop, have lunch, and see if I can see a CSX train or two.

 

Louisville and Nashville Locomotives at Cincinnati

These Louisville and Nashville locomotives move trains at Cincinnati.  The SD40 and SD40-2 move a train of empty coal hoppers back to Corbin, KY. 

See my Louisville and Nashville artwork at customtrains.org

 

A Gulf Mobile and Ohio Grain Train at St. Louis

This Gulf, Mobile and Ohio train carries grain at St. Louis.  Today's train is powered by an RS2 and an RS1.  Both locomotives have been repainted into the simplified red paint scheme.

See my Gulf, Mobile and Ohio artwork at customtrains.org

 

Boston and Maine Locomotives at White River Junction, Vermont

These Boston and Maine locomotives move trains at White River Junction, Vermont.  The GP38-2 and GP40-2 lead a train to Boston.

See my Boston and Maine artwork at customtrains.org

 

Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Locomotives Move Trains at Flat Rock, Michigan

These Detroit, Toledo and Ironton locomotives move trains at Flat Rock, Michigan.  The GP7 and GP9 lead a local train while the Bicentennial GP38-2 heads to Toledo.

See my Detroit, Toledo and Ironton artwork at customtrains.org

 

Florida East Coast Locomotives Move Trains At Miami

These Florida East Coast locomotives move trains at Miami.  The GP40-2 and GP38-2 move a piggyback train to Jacksonville.

See my Florida East Coast artwork at customtrains.org
 

Louisville and Nashville RS3 Leads A Local Freight at Corbin, KY

This Louisville and Nashville RS3 leads a local train at Corbin, Kentucky.  Today's train carries carloads of furniture and tools.

See my Louisville and Nashville artwork at customtrains.org

 

An Illinois Central Train Heads South From Homewood, Illinois

This Illinois Central train heads south from Homewood, Illinois.  Today's train has one of Illinois Central's SD45s in the lead.  Although quite a few railroads ordered SD45s in large numbers, the SD45 was a rarity on the IC.

See my Illinois Central artwork at customtrains.org

 

A Chesse System Train Carries Coal at Cincinnati

This Chessie System train carries coal at Cincinnati.  Today's train has a Baltimore and Ohio GP40 in its consist.

See my Chessie System artwork at customtrains.org

 

A Delaware and Hudson Train Heads to Binghamton, New York

This Delaware and Hudson train heads to Binghamton, New York.  Todays train is being pulled by a GP39-2 and an RS36.  

The D&H was a favorite among fans in the Northeast as it was truly the underdog to Conrail.

See my Delaware and Hudson artwork at customtrains.org

 

An Erie Railroad Train Heads To Buffalo

This Erie Railroad train heads to Buffalo.  A Noreaster is blowing off of the Great Lakes on this cold fall night as the train heads on its way.

See my Erie Railroad artwork at customtrains.org