The United States Railroad Administration 1917-1920: The Men, the Machines, the Legacy

This video covers the creation, impact and legacy of the nationalization of U.S. railroads during WW1.

[@OriginalBongoliath]

The USRA designs helped in the model train world too. Companies like Lionel, Bachmann, MTH, and Broadway Limited saved money just like the real railroads did by using them and slapping a different paint job and road name on them. Most modelers didn't care as long as it was a steam engine even if the railroad didn't use USRA locos (or they made up a scenario where they did).

[@whispofwords2590]

I own quite a few of these USRA designs in N scale from BLI in ATSF, NP, and NYC livery. Even though they're generic as you say, they're still beautiful engines that encapsulate every aesthetic aspect of American steam locomotives I love. I also love the concept that the versatility of the design irl led to it being versatile as a model. Some more road specific detail would be nice though..

[@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr]

Hi OrginalBongoliath. I'm a Lionel train guy myself and I agree the toy train manufacturers took some liberties on a lot of things. Thanks for watching!!

[@Shipwright1918]

At least we used 'em. Over in the UK when British Railways had a go with building their Standard series of steamers, they were chucking some models away for scrap before they were even 5 years old.

[@nathanielmeade5731]

USRA is my favorite era, its what my N scale layout will be when finished

[@Colonel_Blimp]

I’m a retired railroader and I must say this was an excellent and informative video. Thank you.

[@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr]

Hi Chris McMahon. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!! Thank you for the feedback. Also, which railroad did you work for?

[@Colonel_Blimp]

@@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr Probably not one that would spring to mind! New Zealand Government Railways which became Kiwirail. We have a huge American influence. Our best early steam was Baldwins, of many wheel arrangements. In my time our diesels were EMDs and GEs. Our operating systems are track warrant control and CTC.

[@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr]

@@Colonel_Blimp That's interesting!! I would have thought British motive power would been dominant in the early to mid 20th century in New Zealand. We (the U.S.) were once part of the British Empire too and many of our early steam locomotives were imported from the U.K. Our early diesels were GE and EMD also with a few Baldwins and ALCO's mixed in. Today, it's mostly GE power.

[@Colonel_Blimp]

@@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr yes we had lots of British steam but much of it was unsatisfactory. Then we struggled with British first generation diesels until we bought GP9’s which were exactly what we needed. Simple, rugged and reliable.

[@tedfisher19]

Nice work. Very interesting. Thank you for creating and posting. Hard to imagine the difficulty of getting the railroads to agree on standardization choices.

[@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr]

Hi tedfisher19. Thank you for the feedback and thanks for watching!! Most of the railroads complaints were more a matter of sour grapes than anything else. It's amazing how they changed their minds on USRA designs in the post-USRA era!!

[@andrewadams3894]

I believe the USRA was responsible for the locomotive overhaul class system that was used to the end of steam. Perhaps this was later enforced by the ICC's accounting rules. Briefly, class 1 was a new boiler, class 2 was a new firebox, and class 3 was new tubes. Classes 1, 2, and 3 all included general repairs for a full term of service. Class 4 was necessary repairs for a half term of service and class 5 was necessary repairs for a quarter term of service. I have often wondered who was involved in developing this system and which railroads they used as inspiration. I guess I have to leave this question to someone with access to USRA archives.

[@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr]

Hi andrewadams3894. That's a great question and thanks for sharing all this great information!! There doesn't seem to be a lot of information on the USRA's involvement in the ICC's overhaul class system. I would suspect that Carl Gray's safety committee may had some input, perhaps the Builders Committee may have weighed in as well. This definitely warrants more research!! Thanks for watching!!!

[@leightonmoreland]

I got my hands on a copy of McAdoo's autobiography and it was absolutely fascinating. Do you know where I can find a list of what RR's the USRA controlled?

[@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr]

Hi leightonmoreland. Thanks for watching. I don't know of a list of railroads that were under USRA control. My sources just indicated the number was 90 or there about. McAdoo piqued my interest as well. Maybe someday I'll do a video on just him!!!

[@leightonmoreland]

@@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr his autobiography is a fascinating read, the USRA only covers 2 chapters but his whole life was a ride. The construction of the hudson river tunnels is a video in and of itself. My copy cost me like $200 and there were only like 600 copies printed, that being said every copy is autographed!

[@weylinwest9505]

The King of America's rail history is back!

[@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr]

LOL!!!! Thank you for the compliment, but I would hardly consider myself the King of rail history......but I'm working on it!!

[@weylinwest9505]

@@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr The way you do your videos, it reminds me of some VERY old train documentaries. It's nostalgic and very informative of things I didn't know that I didn't know.

[@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr]

@@weylinwest9505 Thank You. I'm glad you enjoyed it!!

[@the-bananatrain]

because I'm curious what's your opinion on the Bulgarian. 2-12-4T?

[@americansteamlegacy-yh9dr]

Hi the-bananatrain. I never looked into the non-U.S. 2-12-4's so I can't really offer an opinion other than to say the long wheelbase would make it struggle on sharp curves. Thanks for the question and thanks for watching!!