A Look Back: The History of Trains

A Picture Tells A Thousand Words...Take A Look At The Historic Evolution Of Train Travel

From steam to diesel-powered engines, from New York to Los Angeles, Americans have had a long love affair with trains. Long before Amtrak began operations in 1971, people were riding the rails. In 1830, a steam engine named "Tom Thumb" pulled the first passenger car 13 miles. Since then, many advancements and upgrades have not only linked our country together, but enticed passengers to get on board. As the transportation industry evolved, Amtrak was created to ease congestion on highways and at airports, and to restore the efficiency, attractiveness and convenience of train travel. Amtrak's original passenger cars were acquired from private railroads and came in all different colors, which is why the public and the media called them "Rainbow Trains."