Clayton Hartford (bn9900)

I have been interested in railroads and in history all my life. I grew up within a mile of the Burlington Northern, and the Indiana Harbor Belt in LaGrange Illinois In the late 80s to late 90s both these railroads allowed every other railroad in Chicago to operate over them. Which afforded a railfan ample opportunities for a young teen within biking distance from home.

My uncle would take me railfanning almost every weekend and as we lived in the "Rail capital" of the world there was no shortage of railfanning.

I moved out to Bellingham Washington in 1999, helped start the Bellingham Railway Museum in 2003, and have volunteered there until i cloed due to covid in 2020.

I have become immersed in the history of the railroads in this area; the Great Northern, Northern Pacific, and the Milwaukee Road and their predecessors. However my favorite railroad of all time is the Chicago Burlington and Quincy, which ran a mile from my house in La Grange. The museum is now closed so you can reach me here.

In the Spotlight

Railroads of Whatcom County Washington

This hub is about the history of railroads in Whatcom County Washington. There were three class 1 railroads, two electric railways as well as many timber railways spanning the county. This hub gives a summery of their history from 1890s to today.

In the Spotlight

History of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad

The railroad that became a a leader in the industry, from mechanical, to tourism. This is the story of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy 1849-1970.

In the Spotlight

The History of Burlington Northern E's in Commuter Service

A history of the last intact E-unit commuter fleet operating in the world

In the Spotlight

What is Railfanning?

A railfan is someone who enjoys trains. This article outlines who a railfan is, what they do and even how they can help the security of this the country.

In the Spotlight

Railfanning Stevens Pass

Extending from Everett to Whenachee the BNSF Scenic Sub is the lowest railroad crossing of the casecades at 2200 feet.

In the Spotlight

Visiting Marias Pass

Marias Pass in Northwest Montana is a railroad hotspot. Great scenery lots of traffic and beautiful weather in Winter and Summer. This is a guide to the pass for the railfan.

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  United States

  Visiting Marias Pass

  24 months ago

  Marias Pass in Northwest Montana is a railroad hotspot. Great scenery lots of traffic and beautiful weather in Winter and Summer. This is a guide to the pass for the railfan.

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  Special Tips for Travel

  The Empire Builder

  4 years ago

  The Empire Builder operated by Amtrak as their trains 7 and 8, have a long and storied past.bThis hub looks at the history and the train as it operates today.

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  Chicago

  History of Chicagoland's Commuter Service

  5 years ago

  Chicago has one of the most interesting and history filled commuter services in the the Country. Read to find out how it all came about and how the service is expanding services as the need increases.

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  History of Business

  Coal: Is It Really That Bad?

  4 years ago

  Coal, the black diamonds that humans have been pulling from the earth for centuries, now come under attack. This hub will look at the transportation of coal why it is not as bad as some think.

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  2
  Travel Tips & Preparation

  Eat Sleep and ChooChoos

  17 months ago

  Where to Eat and sleep near the Railroad, great for the train enthusiast.

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  0
  History of Business

  History of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad

  4 years ago

  The railroad that became a a leader in the industry, from mechanical, to tourism. This is the story of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy 1849-1970.

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  8
  History of Business

  The History of Burlington Northern E's in Commuter Service

  4 years ago

  A history of the last intact E-unit commuter fleet operating in the world

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  4
  History of Business

  History of Named Passenger Trains in the US

  8 years ago

  There were many well known and lesser known trains that operated in the US and Canada. This is a blog about the most well known trains that operated between 1900 and the inception of Amtrak in 1971.

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  12
  History of Business

  Brief History of US Railroads

  17 months ago

  There's a lot of railroad history in the United States of America. This blog is to consolidate some of that history, but this is only a synopsis. There are many resources out there and if you have any questions I can help you in the right direction towards those sources.

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  12
  History of Business

  Railroads of Whatcom County Washington

  4 years ago

  This hub is about the history of railroads in Whatcom County Washington. There were three class 1 railroads, two electric railways as well as many timber railways spanning the county. This hub gives a summery of their history from 1890s to today.