MoPac freeway under construction as a KATY local passes by.

The Austin Steam Train Association's Capital City Express flies out from the flora on the Llano subdivision on its way towards the city of Austin where it will be wyed and return North to Cedar Pa... (more)

Being around a steam locomotive at night is an experience all by itself. Without the distractions of scenery and sunlight, an engine crew's focus is entirely on railroading and the locomotive. The... (more)

In 1947 and thereafter Texas law required all freight locomotive tenders to have a doghouse in which the head brakeman was to ride. However, as seen in this view of Mikado No. 1113 rolling backw... (more)

Pacific No. 409 struggles up a 1.7% grade as it leads The Texas Special out of Austin. The train which usually consisted of 12 cars used Missouri Pacific tracks as it left the city southb... (more)

The Daffan Double. A 121 crew completes the double after the 111 job lost two motors and went dead shortly after laying down on Daffan Hill. The first cut is seen between the switches at De... (more)

A southbound Missouri Pacfic freight wih a mixture of units is just north of Austin on New Year's Day 1971. My future wife is learning what she's in for as she sits in my 1967 Alfa Romeo coupe. We... (more)

The southbound Sunshine Special glides through the cut north of Sixth Street in Austin. Diesels had replaced the Pacifics which were the previous power. The cut was removed during the constructio... (more)

Ten-wheelers were usually required as helpers for northbound freights ascending the grade out of Austin in 1947.

The very first train to arrive in Austin came on Christmas day 1871 with much celebration. That day paved the way for Austin to become the metropolis it is where freight trains play second fiddle ... (more)

With the Austin city limit a mile behind it, the Texas Special heads north. Its thirteen cars testify to the fact that rail was still the way to travel in the summer of 1947.

A big wave from a GP9 wobbling by grandmothers house is offered to a youngster getting his first taste of railroading on a hot summer day.

Jimmy prepares to line a switch into Texaco as the engineer does a classic lean out the window of this rebuilt NW2. The Austin & Northwestern is a fallen flag and all that remains of this scene is... (more)

The Texas Special is southbound leaving Austin.

Morning shadows are still long as the fireman manages the water spout, and the engineer performs his time-honored task of oiling around.