Transportation

1955 Ford Country Squire

Americans have always been a people on the move—on rails, roads, and waterways (for travel through the air, visit the National Air and Space Museum). In the transportation collections, railroad objects range from tools, tracks, and many train models to the massive 1401, a 280-ton locomotive built in 1926. Road vehicles include coaches, buggies, wagons, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and automobiles—from the days before the Model T to modern race cars. The accessories of travel are part of the collections, too, from streetlights, gas pumps, and traffic signals to goggles and overcoats.

In the maritime collections, more than 7,000 design plans and scores of ship models show the evolution of sailing ships and other vessels. Other items range from scrimshaw, photographs, and marine paintings to life jackets from the Titanic.

Topic: Railroads

Standard Trainman, Conductor and Porter's Cap

This generic railroad cap is black with a stiff crown, flat circular top and a short visor.
Description
This generic railroad cap is black with a stiff crown, flat circular top and a short visor. The cap's basic shape, similar to the French kepi, was used for passenger train conductors, passenger train brakemen (also termed "trainmen"), Pullman porters (in the ten decades before Amtrak), "Red Caps" (who help travelers with their luggage at stations), and - in the 19th century and first half of the 20th - stationmasters and station agents. Hat badges and other decoration could be added to signify the wearer's position and railroad.
ID Number
TR.334516
catalog number
334516
accession number
309861

Conductor's Cap, Long Island Rail Road

This small stiff gray cap has a short black patent visor a , with chromed metal badge, is from the Long Island Rail Road, principally a commuter line.
Description
This small stiff gray cap has a short black patent visor a , with chromed metal badge, is from the Long Island Rail Road, principally a commuter line. Historically, until takeover in the mid-20th century by public authority, the LIRR was a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the largest US railroad from about 1880 through the 1950s. This gray color was used on only a few railroads. The conductor had—and still has today—overall charge of the train and its management, the safety of its passengers, and the accounting of fares.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
TR.335006
catalog number
335006
accession number
315445

Railroad Cap Badge, Conductor, Southern Pacific Railroad

This metal cap badge reads “CONDUCTOR” in skeleton type letters. The badge is plated and has two fastening pins or posts on the back with pin backs attached. The badge identified the wearer as a conductor on the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Description
This metal cap badge reads “CONDUCTOR” in skeleton type letters. The badge is plated and has two fastening pins or posts on the back with pin backs attached. The badge identified the wearer as a conductor on the Southern Pacific Railroad. The Southern Pacific Railroad ran throughout the southwest United States, opening in 1865 and operating until 1996 when it was taken over by the Union Pacific Railroad. The conductor was—and is today—the sole on-board supervisor of the train’s crew, responsible for the movement of the train, the safety of passengers, and the security and accounting of cargo on board.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
ID Number
TR.333723
catalog number
333723
accession number
304341

Railroad Cap Badge, Motorman, New York Elevated Railway

This badge was affixed to the uniform cap of a motorman who operated trolley cars on the of the Third Avenue System. The Third Avenue Railway System operated a number of surface railways in Manhattan, the Bronx and in Yonkers and New Rochelle, New York.
Description
This badge was affixed to the uniform cap of a motorman who operated trolley cars on the of the Third Avenue System. The Third Avenue Railway System operated a number of surface railways in Manhattan, the Bronx and in Yonkers and New Rochelle, New York. The badge is die stamped in the shape of an eight wheel trolley. The badge bears the the wearer's crew position and identification number. It was worn approximately between 1910 to 1920.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
TR.335573
catalog number
335573
accession number
1979.0398

Railroad Cap Badge, Conductor, Utica & Schenectady Railroad

This silver metal cap badge bears the engraving “U.&S.R.R./CONDUCTOR” filled in with faded black paint. This badge was affixed to the uniform cap of a Utica & Schenectady railroad conductor who served aboard passenger trains.
Description
This silver metal cap badge bears the engraving “U.&S.R.R./CONDUCTOR” filled in with faded black paint. This badge was affixed to the uniform cap of a Utica & Schenectady railroad conductor who served aboard passenger trains. The Utica & Schenectady railroad began service in 1836, becoming a part of the New York Central Railroad in 1853. The conductor was—and is today—the sole on-board supervisor of the whole crew, responsible for the movement of the train, the safety of passengers, and the security and accounting of cargo on board.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1850
ID Number
TR.333734
catalog number
333734
accession number
304200

Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, ca. 1850

This railroad hand-signal oil lantern was likely used on the Concord Railroad during the middle of the 19th century. The metal lamp has a glass globe with the initials “C.M.&L.” engraved around the middle.
Description
This railroad hand-signal oil lantern was likely used on the Concord Railroad during the middle of the 19th century. The metal lamp has a glass globe with the initials “C.M.&L.” engraved around the middle. These initials likely stood for the Concord, Massachusetts, and Lawrence railroad.
Before the advent of portable two way radios, train crews communicated via hand signals during the day, and lantern signals during periods of low visibility or at night. Specific motions of the lantern convey precise instructions such as “Clear to Depart;" "Move the train Forward;" "Move the train Backward;" "Slow Down;" "Slow Down Further;" or "Stop and Remain Stopped."
date made
ca. 1850
ID Number
TR.322917
catalog number
322917
accession number
249870

Model of the 1837 Steam Locomotive, H. R. Dunham

This is a 1/2 inch scale model of the engine and tender that represent the general service locomotive, Dunham built around 1837 by H. R. Dunham & Co. of New York City for the Harlem Rail Road. Contemporary drawings reveal that Dunham closely followed Baldwin’s Lancaster design.
Description
This is a 1/2 inch scale model of the engine and tender that represent the general service locomotive, Dunham built around 1837 by H. R. Dunham & Co. of New York City for the Harlem Rail Road. Contemporary drawings reveal that Dunham closely followed Baldwin’s Lancaster design. The locomotive model shows a 4-2-0 wheel arrangment. Steam locomotives are often classified by wheel arrangement, in the order of leading, driving, and trailing wheels. This engine has four leading wheels, two driving wheels, and no trailing wheels.
The proliferation of new railroads encouraged many small machine shops to enter the locomotive business. While some of these firms, like that of M. W. Baldwin, would produce many engines and make a fortune, most, like H.R. Dunham & Co., built only a few machines and went out of business. Dunham constructed sixteen locomotives from 1836 to 1838 for the New York and Harlem, the Camden and Amboy, the Michigan Central and several other lines.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1961
ca. 1837
maker
Severn Lamb, Ltd.
ID Number
TR.319306
catalog number
319306
accession number
234646

Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, 1830s-1840

This signal lantern was used on the Camden & Amboy Railroad in New Jersey from around 1833 until 1840.
Description
This signal lantern was used on the Camden & Amboy Railroad in New Jersey from around 1833 until 1840. The top of the lantern bears the inscription “Edward Muschamp,” the conductor who used the lamp, as well as the inscription “Phile & NEW YORK RAILROAD” two cities connected on the Camden & Amboy route.
Before the advent of portable two way radios, train crews communicated via hand signals during the day, and lantern signals during periods of low visibility or at night. Specific motions of the lantern convey precise instructions such as “Clear to Depart;" "Move the train Forward;" "Move the train Backward;" "Slow Down;" "Slow Down Further;" or "Stop and Remain Stopped."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1831-1840
ca. 1831-1840
maker
unknown
ID Number
TR.181048
catalog number
181048
accession number
25376

Railroad Cap Badge, Conductor, New York Central System

This metal cap badge bears the text “NEW YORK CENTRAL/CONDUCTOR” in raised letters. A central blue oval on the badge reads “NEW YORK/CENTRAL/SYSTEM” in gold lettering.
Description
This metal cap badge bears the text “NEW YORK CENTRAL/CONDUCTOR” in raised letters. A central blue oval on the badge reads “NEW YORK/CENTRAL/SYSTEM” in gold lettering. This badge would have been worn by a conductor on the New York Central Railroad system, which served the northeast from 1831 until 1968, when it was absorbed by the Pennsylvania Railroad to form the Pennsylvania New York Central Transportation Company. The conductor was—and is today—the sole on-board supervisor of the whole crew, responsible for the movement of the train, the safety of passengers, and the security and accounting of cargo on board.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
TR.334028
catalog number
334028
accession number
309861

Plantation Locomotive, Olomana

The Olomana was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, for the Waimanolo Sugar Company of Oahu, then part of the Kindom of Hawaii. It was the third locomotive to arrive on the island and was originally named the Puaalii.
Description
The Olomana was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, for the Waimanolo Sugar Company of Oahu, then part of the Kindom of Hawaii. It was the third locomotive to arrive on the island and was originally named the Puaalii. This narrow gauge tank engine worked for 62 seasons, pulling cars of sugar cane from the fields to the processing plant located in northeastern Oahu. During this time few mechanical changes were made; however, the boiler was replaced twice and the fuel was changed from coal to oil in 1928.
During its service life the Olomana hauled or pushed small four wheel cars piled with sugar cane. The sticky juice from the cane lubricated the tracks so that extra sand was needed to improve the engine's traction. The Olomana and other two locomotives were outfitted with extra sand boxes during their service. Traction, not speed, was the Olomana's chief concern. She was designed for slow speed pulling, with 20 mph an optimum, and normal running speeds far below that pace.
The Olomana was retired in 1944 when the 'sugar railroad' was abandoned in favor of motor trucks. Four years later the engine was purchased by Gerald M. Best of California. Mr. Best and his wife, Harriet B. Best, restored the engine and operated it on a private railroad in Los Angeles area before presenting it to the Smithsonian in 1977.
Location
Currently on loan
Date made
1883
used date
1883-1944
user
Waimanalo Sugar Company
maker
Baldwin Locomotive Works
ID Number
TR.336162
accession number
1977.0647
catalog number
336162

Conductor's Cap; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad

The cap is black with a flat circular top and a short visor. The attached badge, of metal with red and black enamel, identifies the wearer as a conductor on the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad ("the Milwaukee Road").
Description
The cap is black with a flat circular top and a short visor. The attached badge, of metal with red and black enamel, identifies the wearer as a conductor on the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad ("the Milwaukee Road"). There are two small buttons on each side with the initials CMStP&P. The cap is made of a mesh fabric on top and sides, which identifies it as a summer cap. The cap is typical of those used on many US railroads in the 1930s through the 1960s. The conductor had—and still has today—overall charge of the train and its management, the safety of its passengers, and the accounting of fares.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
TR.334030
catalog number
334030
accession number
309861

Railroad Cap Badge, Brakeman, Great Northern Railway

This silver metal cap badge bears the engraving “G.N.RY.L./BRAKEMAN” filled with black paint. This badge would have been worn by a brakeman on the Great Northern Railway Line, which operated from St. Paul, Minnesota to Seattle, Washington from around 1890 until 1970.
Description
This silver metal cap badge bears the engraving “G.N.RY.L./BRAKEMAN” filled with black paint. This badge would have been worn by a brakeman on the Great Northern Railway Line, which operated from St. Paul, Minnesota to Seattle, Washington from around 1890 until 1970. The badge identified the wearer's crew position for passenger convenience, identifying the crewmember the passenger could speak with if there were questions, problems, or complaints. The brakeman’s duties included moving from car to car to trigger the brakes and slow the train, dropping cars at stations, lining switches, and signaling to crew members about train operations.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
TR.334029
catalog number
334029
accession number
309861

Railroad Station Agent Hand-Signal Lantern, 1930s-40s

This railroad hand-signal kerosene lantern was manufactured by the Handlan Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Missouri around 1930–1940. The lamp was used on the Eastern Shore (Maryland) Lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Description
This railroad hand-signal kerosene lantern was manufactured by the Handlan Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Missouri around 1930–1940. The lamp was used on the Eastern Shore (Maryland) Lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The lamp has a metal body, a blue glass globe encircled by protected metal wire, and a meal handle and base. The top of the lamp is inscribed with the Handlan logo and the text “HANDLAN/ST. LOUIS USA.”
Before the advent of portable two way radios, train crews communicated via hand signals during the day, and lantern signals during periods of low visibility or at night. This lantern with the blue globe was used by station agents to signal a train to pick up train orders, or to mark equipment that was being worked on and wasn’t to be moved.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Handlan Manufacturing Co.
ID Number
TR.335440
catalog number
335440
accession number
321691

Railroad Conductor's Case

This railroad conductor's case was used by an "A. Randall" in the 1860s and 1870s. A railroad conductor on a passenger train was (and is today) the supervising officer of the train and supervisor of the entire train crew.
Description
This railroad conductor's case was used by an "A. Randall" in the 1860s and 1870s. A railroad conductor on a passenger train was (and is today) the supervising officer of the train and supervisor of the entire train crew. In addition to this supervisory role, the passenger-train conductor serves as the purser, in charge of seeing to it that all fares are collected, either by himself personally or by his assistants, the uniformed trainmen on board. After fares are collected, the conductor does the accounting. A passenger-carrying railroad company was (and is) thus dependent on responsible and diligent conductors for its income.
In the days before laptop computers and scanned tickets, the passenger-train conductor carried redeemed tickets or stubs, as well as cash, in a locked case. On a passenger train, a conductor appropriated an unassigned passenger compartment as his office, and the ticket case was kept locked in the compartment when the conductor made his rounds.
date made
ca 1860
used date
ca 1860s
ID Number
TR.334930
catalog number
334930
accession number
315321

Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, 1870s-80s

This railroad hand-signal kerosene lantern was manufactured by the Adams & Westlake Company of Chicago, Illinois around 1870. Adlake was a major equipment supplier to railroads during the Westward expansion.
Description
This railroad hand-signal kerosene lantern was manufactured by the Adams & Westlake Company of Chicago, Illinois around 1870. Adlake was a major equipment supplier to railroads during the Westward expansion. The lantern is made of metal with a wire frame protecting the glass globe. The globe has the frosted name “J.H. Barrelle” in the center, surrounded by frosted glass floral designs. J.H. Barrelle was an agent for the Milwaukee Railroad, living in South Dakota in 1881, who likely used this hand-signal lantern.
Before the advent of portable two way radios, train crews communicated via hand signals during the day, and lantern signals during periods of low visibility or at night. Specific motions of the lantern convey precise instructions such as “Clear to Depart;" "Move the train Forward;" "Move the train Backward;" "Slow Down;" "Slow Down Further;" or "Stop and Remain Stopped."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1970-1989
1870s to 1880s
ca. 1870-1880s
maker
Adams & Westlake Company
ID Number
TR.322916
catalog number
322916
accession number
249870

Test Run of Vista Dome Railcar

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1945
ID Number
2013.0327.0978
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.0978

Men on top of train car

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1953
maker
Leipzig, Arthur
ID Number
2019.0272.0003
accession number
2019.0272
catalog number
2019.0272.0003

Urbina, Ecuador

mounted and matted, selenium toned, gelatin silver print by Neil MaurerCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
mounted and matted, selenium toned, gelatin silver print by Neil Maurer
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1969
date printed
1971
maker
Maurer, Neil
ID Number
2021.0060.0002
accession number
2021.0060
catalog number
2021.0060.0002

Railroad Surveyors

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1907
Associated Date
1907-11-06
ID Number
2018.0166.0032
catalog number
2018.0166.0032
accession number
2018.0166

Railroad Terminal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940s
ID Number
2013.0327.1043
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.1043

165--Life on the Rail

hand colored stereograph; printed on verso "165--LIFE ON THE RAIL."; group of men, women and children inside a railroad carCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
hand colored stereograph; printed on verso "165--LIFE ON THE RAIL."; group of men, women and children inside a railroad car
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1850s-1860s
ID Number
2012.3033.0359
nonaccession number
2012.3033
catalog number
2012.3033.0359

Group of men in railyard

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Associated Press
ID Number
2013.0327.0938
catalog number
2013.0327.0938
accession number
2013.0327

Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, 1930s-40s

This railroad hand-signal kerosene lantern was manufactured by the Handlan Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Missouri around 1930–1940. The lamp was used on the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad.
Description
This railroad hand-signal kerosene lantern was manufactured by the Handlan Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Missouri around 1930–1940. The lamp was used on the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad. The lamp has a metal body, a red glass globe encircled by protected metal wire, and a metal handle and base. The top of the lamp is inscribed with the Handlan logo and the text “HANDLAN/ST. LOUIS USA.” The red glass globe bears the stamped text “NY NH & H R.R.” which stands for the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad.
Before the advent of portable two way radios, train crews communicated via hand signals during the day, and lantern signals during periods of low visibility or at night. This lantern with the red globe was used by station agents to signal a train to stop, sometimes to pick up Form 31 train orders.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Handlan Manufacturing Co.
ID Number
TR.335441
accession number
321691
catalog number
335441

toy, handcar

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1971.295669.135
accession number
295669
catalog number
295669.135

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.