Drawing of the Day February 19, 2016- Ashley, Drew and Northern GP28 #1812

Today I drew Ashley Drew and Northern GP28 #1812.  Ashley Drew and Northern was a short line in Arkansas that hauled lumber and was owned by Georgia Pacific.

Drawing of the Day-February 15, 2016 Indiana Rail Road SD40-2 #4004

Today I drew Indiana Rail Road SD40-2 #4004.  Indiana Rail Road is an American Short Line and Regional Railroad member that connects with CSX, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, BNSF, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific.  Indiana Rail Road operates all-rail intermodal service in conjunction with Canadian National between the West Coast Ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert and Indianapolis. http://www.inrd.com/documents/news_releases/2013-01-16_INRD_Intermodal.pdf

Indiana Harbor Belt-Connects With All Chicago Railroads

For decades, Indiana Harbor Belt has connected the railroads serving Chicago.  Headquartered at Hammond, Indiana, the trains of Indiana Harbor Belt maintain a flow of freight as it moves across America's rail network.
Throughout its history, the Indiana Harbor Belt has been jointly owned by railroads connecting throughout Chicago.  This neutrality is important, as the Indiana Harbor Belt works as a bridge between all Chicago Railroads through America's busiest railroad hub.
In 1961, Indiana Harbor Belt was owned in part by Chicago and North Western, New York Central and Milwaukee Road.  After decades of mergers, at present day, Indiana Harbor Belt is owned 25.5% by Norfolk Southern, 25.5% by CSX and 49% by Canadian Pacific. source http://www.dhke.com/ihbarchive/ihbhst.html  
Indiana Harbor Belt also plays the important role delivering first and last mile traffic into our freight rail system.  A principal customer for Indiana Harbor Belt is the US Steel plant at Gary, Indiana.
Indiana Harbor Belt truly "Connects With All Chicago Railroads."  It is important that it maintains this role.

Drawing of the Day-January 26, 2016 Erie Western RS3 #1600

I just drew Erie Western RS3 #1600. Erie Western was a short-lived but well loved shortline in Indiana and Ohio. This drawing came at the request of Erie Western fan John Eagan of Hoosier Hobbies.

Drawing of the Day-January 19, 2016 Youngstown & Austintown GP7 #1501

Today I drew Youngstown & Austintown GP7 #1501. This engine was former Pittsburgh & Lake Erie GP7 #1501 and became Ohio Central #1501.

Trains of the Midwest

The Midwest has a rich history of railroads that connected its people, places, agriculture and industry.  Historically, many of the Midwest's railroads connected the Midwest with the Gulf Coast, the Northeast, and the West.

Many of the Midwest's railroads have become part of today's Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, CSX, Canadian Pacific or Canadian National.  Quite a few of the Midwest's shortlines and regional railroads remain.  Shortlines and regionals perform much of the key first mile/last mile service in unison with today's Class 1 railroads.

Chicago-America's Railroad Hub

Chicago is truly America's railroad hub.  Railroads from the Northeast, the Southeast and Gulf Coast and the Midwest and West join at Chicago.  Historically, Chicago's shortlines and belt railroads have served Chicago's industries and have linked the railroads that interchange in the Windy City.
Steel from the Steel mills of Chicago and Northern Indiana provided a key source of traffic to Chicago's railroads.  Steel from these mills helped build America.

Wisconsin Central-One of My First Drawings as a Railroad Artist

On my first big railfan trip to Chicago, I was lucky enough to see a Wisconsin Central train pulled by Wisconsin Central SD45s 6534 and 6510.  That was one of the most exciting trains I had seen up to that date.  As soon as I got home, I drew SD45 6534.

Wisconsin Central was one of the first regional railroads that I drew.  I loved Wisconsin Central's striking paint scheme and "Can Do" spirit as a railroad.

Drawing Wisconsin Central and Montana Rail Link started me on drawing many of the shortlines and regional railroads of the day.  In turn, that was a big start on my becoming a railroad artist.