South African Railways (SAR) Class 5E1, Bo-Bo type electric locomotive, early 1960s

Despite the name of the train being blue, the loco at this time was painted in green with yellow stripes. Developed by Metropolitan-Vickers (Metrovick), a total of 690 units of the 3 kV DC class were built across five distinct series between 1959 and 1969.

The Blue Train (Bloutrein) between Johannesburg and Cape Town adopted the name in 1946. It has been South Africa's luxury passenger train service with blue-and-silver cars since then. 

See earlier posts.

Santa Fe 2-6-2 built by Baldwin in 1903

This is now on display in Boot Hill Park, Dodge City, Kansas with "Boot Hill Special" on the tender. Initially a Vauclain compound, in 1918 it was simplified during a rebuild in the ATSF Topeka Shops. It received a new boiler around 1940. Upon retirement in 1954 it was donated to Dodge City, which at one time was a notorious outlaw town.

'I'm going to enjoy this good real book tonight'

DB V200 diesel with a local passenger train on the Schwarzwaldbahn, 1973

This was prior to the electrification of this famous scenic line. See earlier posts.

Ampelmännchen ("little traffic light man") statue, Germany

The East German version which was liked more than the West's version. Seen in Wiesbaden which is a big NATO base so the the slogan Grenze Uberwinden (overcome frontiers) seem appropriate.

1940 Twin Coach bus used by Pacific Electric, greater L.A.

Model 35-RL with 37 seats, in the Macy St. Yards, probably a pic taken when new. (colorized)

Lastochka (Swallow) electric multiple unit at Vyborg, Russia

In 2009, Russian Railways commissioned Siemens to develop a dual-system commuter electric train adapted to Russian conditions. The new trains were planned to be used in Sochi for commuter passenger service during the 2014 Winter Olympics , and then partially transferred to other lines for direct service on routes with sections using both AC and DC current. Siemens had previously produced EVS1/EVS2 "Sapsan" (Velaro RUS) electric trains for high-speed service on Russian Railways. 

The design of the new train was based on the five-car Siemens Desiro ML electric train . On December 29, 2009, Russian Railways signed a contract with the German company Siemens for the supply of 54 Siemens Desiro RUS electric trains worth €410 million. These electric trains were designated the ES1 series (Siemens electric train, type 1). The entire line of Siemens Desiro RUS trains localized for Russia received the commercial name "Lastochka"

Specifications

Maximum Design Speed 160 km/h (99 mph)
Track Gauge 1,520 mm (Russian broad gauge)
Car Body Material Lightweight Aluminium Alloy
Standard Formation 5 cars per standard trainset (can operate in multiple traction up to 10 or 20 cars)
Total 5-Car Length ~126.4 meters to 130 meters
Car Dimensions Width: 3.48 m | Height: 4.4 m to 4.85 m
Total Weight (Tare) ~260,200 kg to 264,000 kg (5-car configuration)
Acceleration 0.64 m/s²
Traction Motor Type: Asynchronous electric motors

1951 Pegaso Z102/103 sports car

Santa Fe at Santa Anita art

"A Special Lady at Santa Anita Station" by Stan Stokes featuring Santa Fe's well known 3751, the first 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive built (in 1927 by Baldwin) for Santa Fe and holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving locomotive of its arrangement type in the world -- and a 1930 Packard Eight (designed by Raymond Dietrich). 

Info on the station.

Available commercially as a print.

Pacific Electric trolleys and cars in Glendale, Greater L.A., 1949

735 S. Brand Boulevard.

View today