Departures
Just what does it mean to be a railfan? In Departures, we attempt to answer this question. Geeky but cool, obsessive yet interesting, artistic yet accessible, it’s a broad hobby with something for everyone. But what does it mean to you? We’ll discuss the leading trends in photography and how they shape our approach to the craft. For the historian and the collector, we’ll explore our rich past and look ahead to the future. Join us as we embark upon exciting railway journeys and discover what draws us trackside. Learn about the fascinating people who have enlivened our hobby and make us eager to join them. There’s never been a more exciting time to be a railfan, and we’ll show you why each month!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexander B. Craghead, is the author of Departures. He is a writer, photographer, illustrator, and self-described “transportation geek” from Portland, Oregon. His interest in trains was partially inspired by childhood stories about his great-great uncle, who worked for the Portland Traction Company, and his great-great grandfather, who worked for the Southern Pacific.
His writing and photography have appeared in Railfan & Railroad Magazine, Trains Magazine, and the National Railroad Historical Society Bulletin, and in Railroad Heritage published by the Center for Railroad Photography & Art.
February 15, 2020
United States Railroad Administration: The Forgotten National Railroad
American railways were briefly united under a single national company as the United States Railroad Administration from December 1917 through March 1920.
January 15, 2020
So, You Think You Want to Start a Railroad?
It’s a little-known fact that a bit of knowledge about railways can be dangerous. There’s always the strong possibility that you’ll go from hobbyist to railroad owner in fewer than 10 steps.
November 18, 2019
The Train that Takes Us Home
There has always been a strong link between trains and the holiday season. A train ticket just seems to go along with hot cocoa, holly leaves, and falling snow. But why?
November 5, 2019
Railroads and The Sea
For a brief moment in time, the Seattle & North Coast tried to keep the former Milwaukee Road Port Angeles Subdivision afloat… In more ways than one.
October 20, 2019
The Venerable Alco S-Series
The switch engine was ubiquitous, and one of the most popular and important models was the diesel-electric S-series produced by the American Locomotive Company from 1940 to 1960.
September 15, 2019
Cab Units: A Work of Art?
In the 1930s, railways across the continent began to apply sleek bodies to their steam locomotives, and some even took a gamble on new diesel technology.
August 15, 2019
Summer Vacation… It’s Not Too Late!
Before any more pages slip off the calendar, consider the following vacation ideas that should work for everyone, railfan or not.
July 19, 2019
Union Pacific’s Locomotive Ambitions
This quest for the largest locomotives reveals something essential about UP, a tendency toward a rugged ambition that was shaped by the West itself, and as old as the company.
May 28, 2019
Playing “What If?”
As a historian, one of my favorite mental games is to imagine alternative timelines, to play a game of “What if?”
May 5, 2019
The Transcontinental Railroad at 150
Prior to the Golden Spike, U.S. railroads were typically an extension of heavy manufacturing. They were part of the same world as steel mills, coal mines, and power plants.
