When You See Santa Fe Railroad — Astonishing Productivity Found

Opportunities Seen with This Railroad — Devoted Proven Marked Results Article One of a Seven-Article Series.

File: ATSF San Diegan heading South near Miramar, 1973.jpg Description English: May 1973, a post-Amtrak San Diegan heading South near Miramar Source ATSF 43C0002xxc Author Drew Jacksich from San Jose, CA, California Republic This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.CC BY 2.0 Deed | Attribution 2.0 Generic | Creative Commons CC BY 2.0 Deed | Attribution 2.0 Generic | Creative Commons I made no changes to this image.

Introduction

Let me take you on a journey through the remarkable history of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, also known as Santa Fe or ATSF. This railway, a titan among Class 1 railroads in the United States from 1859 to 1996, was a trailblazer in intermodal freight transport. Its merger with Burlington Northern Railroad on December 31, 1996, gave birth to the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway, a testament to its pioneering spirit that continues to inspire us today.

This is article one of a seven-article series examining the history of the ATSF, the railway expansion, the Southern Pacific merger, the Burlington-Northern merger, company officers, and passenger trains.

History

Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (ATSF)

Chartered in 1859 and begun in 1860, the ATSF was intended to provide service to Atchison, Topeka, Kansas, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. More than just a transportation system, the Santa Fe Railway was a lifeline, connecting communities and fostering economic growth. The first Santa Fe railroad train entered Santa Fe, New Mexico, in…