Print this page The Steel Wheel
J.M. Syken
Course Outline
Through the viewing of several archival/documentary films produced in the 1940s/50s, we will examine the background and history of the development of the American railroad system in all regions of the continental United States.
We will examine the early propulsion methods during the steam era and the development of Diesel locomotives. We will examine the many varied maintenance and/or repair operations of a railroad, switching/routing technology, yard operations, passenger and/or commercial customer services/relations, foul-weather operations etc.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Understand/appreciate the development of the steam engine as the source of locomotive power for railroad trains;
- Understand/appreciate the early railroads in the eastern U.S. and how railroads served in the westward expansion to the Pacific;
- Understand/appreciate the maintenance/repair operations of a railroad including snow removal/clearing, track maintenance and engine repair/overhaul;
- Understand/appreciate the operations of a train yard;
- Understand/appreciate the use of switching/routing technology;
- Understand/appreciate the many people involved in operating a RR and the many jobs/tasks they perform
- Understand/appreciate the development of better tracks/track-beds and Diesel engines for greater power; and
- Understand/appreciate how antiquated anti-trust legislation placed a tax burden on railroads that their competitors were immune from.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for architects, engineers and other design professionals.
Benefit to Attendees
The attendee/s will gain an intimate knowledge and insight into the background, history, development, etc. of American railroads.
Course Introduction
The course incorporates the viewing of several archival/documentary films broken down as follows;
- Part 1 – Historical Overview
- Part 2 – A Railroad at Work - EAST
- Part 3 – A Railroad at Work - WEST
- Part 4 – A Railroad at Work - CENTRAL
- Part 5 – How to Run a Railroad
Part 1 examines the development of American railroads starting in the early 19th Century and their importance to the westward expansion and national economy. Part 2 examines the operations of the New York, New Haven & Hartford RR in the Northeastern U.S. Part 3 examines the operations of the Southern Pacific RR in the Western and Southwestern U.S. Part 4 examines the operations of the Rock Island RR in the mid-central and south-central U.S. Part 5 examines how a railroad (New York Central RR) is run and the problems encountered in the post-WWII era of increased competition.
Course Content
Part 1 – Historical Overview;
TITLE: Chicago RR Pageant (1949)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/ChicagoRailroadPageant
DURATION: 19:24
TITLE: Mainline U.S.A. (1957)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Mainline1957
DURATION: 19:04
Part 2 – A Railroad at Work - EAST;
TITLE: A Great RR at Work (1942) – Part 1
LINK: http://archive.org/details/GreatRai1942
DURATION: 24:43
TITLE: A Great RR at Work (1942) – Part 2
LINK: http://archive.org/details/GreatRai1942_2
DURATION: 04:22
TITLE: A Great RR at Work (1942) – Part 3
LINK: http://archive.org/details/GreatRai1942_3
DURATION: 10:18
Part 3 – A Railroad at Work - WEST;
TITLE: This is My Railroad – Part 1(ca.1949)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/ThisIsMy1940
DURATION: 17:57
TITLE: This is My Railroad – Part 2(ca.1949)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/ThisIsMy1940_2
DURATION: 11:01
Part 4 – A Railroad at Work - CENTRAL;
TITLE: Wheels of Progress (1950)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Wheelsof1950
DURATION: 19:02
Part 5 – How to Run a Railroad;
TITLE: The Big Train – Part 1(ca.1950)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/BigTrain1950
DURATION: 12:58
TITLE: The Big Train – Part 2(ca.1950)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/BigTrain1950_2
DURATION: 13:16
Course Summary
The clickity-clack of steel wheels traveling over steel rails, the sound of a steam-whistle, the excitement of a journey by train about to begin, the views of the countryside as the trains speeds by; it’s a kind of magic that no other mode of transportation can offer even in these days of jet travel and super-highways. But the railroads were not created for romance, they had an all-important job to do; tie a disparate nation together and make it one by getting the goods to market on-time and the passengers to their destination safely. Railroads were the first efficient method of traveling long distances over land and their role in the economic vitality of the nation as a cost-effective means of transporting bulk materials remains. The steel wheel keeps on rolling.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:
http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Rail_transport
http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/New_York,_New_Haven_and_Hartford_Railroad
http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Southern_Pacific_Transportation_Company
http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/Chicago,_Rock_Island_and_Pacific_Railroad
http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/New_York_Central_Railroad
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
