railroad freight

FreightWaves Classics /Infrastructure: Champlain Canal opened the Champlain Valley to settlers and commerce

The Champlain Canal Lock C5 in Hudson Crossing Park. (Photo: hudsoncrossingpark.org)

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As noted in earlier FreightWaves Classics articles about canals, the years between 1800-1850 have been termed the Canal Era in U. S. history. From the earliest days of the nation, America’s leaders understood the need for a network of internal improvements to make transportation of people and goods easier. The success of the Erie Canal marked a period of intensive...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classicsinfrastructure-champlain-canal-opened-the-champlain-valley-to-settlers-and-commerce

FreightWaves Classics: Hawaii’s first railroad began service 143 years ago

The Kahului Railroad. (Photo: Hawaii Department of Transportation)

The Kahului Railroad (KHRR) was a common carrier railway company in the Territory of Hawaii. In fact, it was the first operating railroad in the Hawaiian Islands. Its first day of operation took place on July 17, 1879. The KHRR operated on a 3-feet narrow gauge track. It ran from Wailuku to Kuiaha on the north coast of the island of Maui. The company continues today as Kahului Trucking & Storage, a subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin.

Japanese sugar cane field workers. (Photo: Nisei Veterans Legacy)Japanese sugar cane field workers. (Photo: Nisei Veterans...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classics-hawaiis-first-railroadbegan-service-143-years-ago

FreightWaves Classics/ Infrastructure: Construction of the Delaware and Hudson Canal began 197 years ago

Mountains of coal were transferred to Hudson River barges at Roundout, NY. (Photo: Wayne County Historical Society/National Park Service)

The period between 1800 and 1850 has been termed the Canal Era in United States history. Since the country’s founding after the War of Independence, the new nation’s leaders understood the need for a network of internal improvements to make continental transportation easier. 

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The Erie...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classicsinfrastructure-construction-of-the-delaware-and-hudson-canal-began-197-years-ago

FreightWaves Classics/Infrastructure: New railroad sidings opened in South Dakota

An RCPE diesel locomotive. (Photo: thedieselshop.us)

South Dakota became the 40th state to join the Union in 1889. It ranks 16th in size among the 50 states, encompassing 77,123 square miles. It averages 10 people per square mile, and its total population is only about 900,000 people. (By comparison, the population density in Georgia is 149 people per square mile and 253 per square mile in California.)

Harvest time in South Dakota. (Photo: travelsouthdakota.comHarvest time in South Dakota. (Photo: travelsouthdakota.com

South Dakota has a strong agricultural base, which remains the largest industry in the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classicsinfrastructure-new-railroad-sidings-opened-in-south-dakota

FreightWaves Classics/Fallen Flags: A&CR provided Astoria a transportation link  

Commuters and stacks of lumber wait to board/be loaded on the A&CR. (Photo: Lower Columbia Preservation Society)

Background

In 1811, the town of Astoria, Oregon Territory was founded at the mouth of the Columbia River. Because of its location, many of the town’s civic and business leaders thought Astoria would become a key port. However, once ships entered the Columbia River, the majority of them continued upriver to Portland. 

While Astoria was founded in a beautiful area on the Oregon coast, it was isolated from much of the rest of the territory (and later the state). Since the town would not become a...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classicsfallen-flags-acr-provided-astoria-a-transportation-link

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