Santa Fe Railroad ~ Vintage Americana ~ World Travel Prints

“RAILFANS”

DO YOU KNOW A RAILFAN? This term includes every little boy, child, adult and grown man who is still infatuated with trains, train tracks, vintage trains, and the history and innovations of the first American Railroads. If so, or if you just love collecting vintage art prints, check out our selection of vintage Santa Fe Railroad art prints and posters between the era of the 1940’s and the 1950’s. These images are rarely seen, and are a unique gift for those who favor Americana, Vintage, Southwestern and Native American influenced Art.

Santa Fe Railroad, “The Chief Way,” Native American Indian, circa 1955

The ATSF, (Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe Railway), was often regarded as just the “Santa Fe,” due to its logo driven promotions and colorful print advertisement images seen during the 1940’s and 1950’s.

Originally chartered in February of 1859, the Santa Fe Railroad’s tracks crossed through Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company was also involved in agri-business, opening real estate offices that sold farm land that was awarded to them by the U.S. Congress; as a measure that would encourage and create a demand for Santa Fe rail transportation. A little known fact– The Santa Fe Railroad didn’t actually ever travel through Santa Fe, New Mexico. (the terrain was too difficult for rail travel)

Santa Fe Railroad, “Grand Canyon National Park,” Arizona, circa 1940’s

Santa Fe Railroad, “California,” Coastline and Spanish Mission, Oscar M. Bryn, circa 1940’s

The Santa Fe Railroad was one of the first innovators for inter-modal freight and travel services in the Unites States; tugboat fleets, domestic airlines, and bus lines that would help passengers reach destinations such as San Francisco which before then could not be reached just by rail. By the end of the 1970’s, ATSF operated over 12,800 miles of road and approximately 21, 472 miles of train tracks.

For almost 140 years, Santa Fe Railroad played a key role as a leader in American transportation, and new developments in U.S ground travel. In 1996, Santa Fe merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad, and is now a part of BNSF Railways.

Santa Fe Railroad, “Land of Pueblos,” Native American Indians, New Mexico, Vintage Poster, circa 1950’s