America Truly Has a Love For Amtrak

America is united by a love of Amtrak.  Whether it is our first train ride, or we have ridden for generations, we all have a deep love for the passenger train.
I myself like to draw trains when I ride Amtrak.  I like to watch the cities, towns and beautiful scenery go by.  I like to stop for caramel corn at Union Station.
I like to visit with those who have ridden the trains all of their life.  Every town has a story of its own.  People disembark.  To visit family and friends.  To head home.
All the same, people board the train.  Their journey just beginning.  It is time to see America.  The conductor asks where they are heading.  He places their ticket marked Denver or Chicago above their seat.  They are now a fellow passenger on this journey.
We are now exploring America together on Amtrak.  We are fellow travelers on this journey.  A journey aboard a train.  It is the train that unites us.  America truly has a deep love for the train.  Amtrak truly is in all of our hearts.

Thank You Galesburg for Expanding Your Amtrak Station

Many of us have visited Galesburg, Illinois, situated on the historic Santa Fe and Chicago Burlington and Quincy.  Through the years, we have attended Galesburg Railroad Days and watched the trains of Santa Fe, Burlington Northern, BNSF and Amtrak as they make their transcontinental trek.
Many of us, myself included, have boarded the Amtrak Southwest Chief and California Zephyr from Galesburg’s venerable depot.  At that, I would like to take a moment to say, “Thank you,” to the City of Galesburg for making a much needed expansion to their town’s Amtrak station.
We all enjoy riding Amtrak, and with much needed improvements to stations, cities such as Galesburg ensure that our Amtrak experience is truly second to none.  Thank you Galesburg.
Amtrak was designed to serve the communities of America.  Each community working together with Amtrak makes a teamwork of service to Amtrak’s riders.  With Galesburg’s improved station, that teamwork is truly winning.
Galesburg’s expanded station was financed in part by funds set aside for Amtrak in Illinois Jobs Now! and by funds for Rural Transportation Assistance in a Federal Transportation Administration 5311 Grant.  With projects such as the Galesburg Depot expansion, we truly can look forward to a greater Amtrak of today and tomorrow.

Drawing of the Day-May 15, 2016 Amtrak R4c Demonstrator #X995

My drawing of the day on May 15 was the Amtrak R4c demonstrator #X995.  R4c Demonstrator #X995 led to the development of the venerable AEM-7 locomotive which has served the Northeast Corridor for decades.

Drawing of the Day- April 28th, 2016 Amtrak B32-8WH #515

I just finished drawing #Amtrak B32-8WH #515. Locomotive #515 is a fan favorite as it is used in Auto Train Service between Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Florida.

Drawing of the Day April 17 2016 Amtrak E60 #603 From Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

Today I drew Amtrak E60 #603. It is part of the collection of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

Drawing of the Day April 16, 2016 Amtrak AEM-7 #915 from Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

I just drew Amtrak AEM-7 #915. Amtrak AEM-7 #915 has been donated to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania by Amtrak.

Thank You Amtrak, I Saw America So Grand

I saw America

From Amtrak today

Breathtaking beauty

Along the way

Sunshine's splendor

The morning glistening

To the Zephyr's song

Each moment listening

From my window's view

Mountains touched the sky

A welcoming wave

From the passerby

Across sparkling deserts

And rivers wide

Fishermen standing

At their side

With each salute

Across the land

Thank you Amtrak

I saw America so grand

Drawing of the Day-February 22, 2016 Amtrak CF7 #575

Today I drew Amtrak CF7 #575.  Amtrak CF7s were assigned to work train service, maintaining our railroad infrastructure.

Drawing of the Day-February 18, 2016-Amtrak Maintenance of Way GP7 #771

Today I drew an Amtrak maintenance of way GP7.  This locomotive shows the importance of America's railroad infrastructure.

Early Amtrak E-Units Poster by Andy Fletcher

Amtrak began service on May 1, 1971.  Amtrak was born from the passenger services of America’s railroad systems.  As a result, the equipment Amtrak inherited at its conception was the secondhand passenger equipment from America’s railroads.
Today, we can often forget that Amtrak was born from our railroad systems.  Amtrak was created as a solution for America’s passenger rail service, and it is held in high esteem by its riders, its workers and America as a whole.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Early-Amtrak-E-Units-11-x17-Poster-by-Andy-Fletcher-signed-/401067491725

Drawing of the Day February 6th, 2016-Amtrak/Seaboard Coast Line E8 #249

Here is today's finished drawing of Amtrak E8 #249.  It is a former Seaboard Coast Line E8 from the era of Amtrak's inception.

Applying the Ink to Amtrak/Seaboard Coast Line E8 #249 and compling Early Amtrak Poster

Here I am applying the black ink to today's drawing, Amtrak Seaboard Coast Line E8 #249.  It is important to trim around the areas I fill with ink with a fine-tip pen.
This locomotive is the last of a six locomotive poster celebrating the early E-units of Amtrak.  I have been working on these locomotives for just over a week.  Often, I draw engines in a series that can be compiled to make a themed poster. 

Drawing of the Day February 5, 2016-Amtrak/Union Pacific E8 #331

Today I drew Amtrak E8 #331.  It is a former Union Pacific E8 from the era of Amtrak's inception.

Why We Need Trains 3-Amtrak and Commuter Railroads-Truly a Transportation Asset

We look up, and a train races by.  Its passengers catching up on the morning news.  They sip a cup of coffee on their way to work, watching us stuck in traffic.  Their destination, Union Station, in the heart of the city.
Our long distance passenger and commuter train systems are perhaps one of our biggest urban assets.  This infrastructure that we take for granted, in places over 100 years old, was skillfully designed, allowing us to live and work day in and day out in the heart of our cities.
Trains allow us to practically commute to work.  Trains allow us to practically visit large cities from the suburbs.  To take in a football game, to go to a museum, or to visit our family and friends.
I often enjoy taking trains across America.  From Amtrak, we see America's many communities, each with its own great personality, its own story.  From the window of the train, we see main street cafes, book stores, and people of the town waving as we pass.
We see America's beauty. In snow covered mountains, and crystal blue lakes.  In the red-orange of fall and the bright green of spring.  We watch the seasons change as we roll down the track.
From town to town, city to city.  Trains truly are a part of America.  This is why we need trains.

Drawing of the Day-February 2nd, 2016-Amtrak/Louisville & Nashville E8 #224

Today I drew Amtrak E8 #224.  It is a former Louisville & Nashville E8 from the era of Amtrak's inception.

Drawing of the Day-January 29, 2016-Amtrak E8 #352 (Former Burlington Northern-Chicago Burlington & Quincy)

Today I drew Amtrak E8 #352, a former Burlington Northern unit, originally from the CB&Q.  This locomotive in this paint scheme is from the time period shortly after Amtrak's May 1, 1971 inception.