United States Railroad Administration

FreightWaves Classics/Fallen Flags: Wabash Railroad served the Midwest, its industries and people (Part 2)

A Wabash trailer-on-flatcar. (Photo: Wabash Railroad Historical Society)

To read Part 1 of this article, follow this link.

World War I

Despite going into receivership in late 1911, the Wabash did well because of its key corridors, which carried a diversified traffic base. Its network was slightly over 2,000 route miles and served Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha and Buffalo.  

In 1912 the company adopted the slogan “Follow The Flag.” It was a simple marketing tactic that earned the Wabash one of the most innovative logos and slogans of all time.

To exit...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classicsfallen-flags-wabash-railroad-served-the-midwest-its-industries-and-people-part-2

FreightWaves Classics/Fallen Flags: James Hill built the Great Northern Railway into a powerhouse (Part 2)

A set of Great Northern covered wagons and their mixed freight depart from Minneapolis' Union Yard during the 1960s. (Photo: Adam Burns Collection/American-Rails.com)

There are many people interested in former transportation companies, whether they were trucking companies, railroads, airlines or ocean lines. These companies are called “fallen flags,” and the term describes companies whose corporate names have been dissolved through merger, bankruptcy or liquidation.

In Part 1 of this article the early history of what became the Great Northern Railway was the focus. In Part 2, an overview of Great Northern’s history in the 20th century is the focus.

The Great Northern Railway logo. (Image: Adam Burns/American-Rails.com)The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightwaves-classics-fallen-flags-james-hill-built-the-great-northern-railway-into-a-powerhouse-part-2