The History of the American Railroad with Albert Churella

Railroads have shaped America’s growth, technology, and daily life for nearly two centuries. In this episode of AMSEcast, Alan talks with Dr. Albert Churella of Kennesaw State University about how innovations such as the automatic knuckle coupler, Westinghouse’s air brake, and the move from steam to diesel transformed safety and efficiency. Dr. Churella explains how signaling, centralized traffic control, and GPS-based Positive Train Control modernized operations. While U.S. passenger service lags Europe, its freight rail system leads the world in ton-miles, fuel efficiency, and low emissions. Albert also previews his forthcoming book on Conrail, reflecting on the railroad industry’s resilience, its economic impact, and its enduring relevance today. About Dr. Albert Churella Dr. Albert Churella is a leading scholar of transportation history and policy with a particular focus on railroads. He earned both his MA and PhD from The Ohio State University and now serves as a professor at Kennesaw State University. Albert’s research explores how railroads shaped American economic growth, technology, and public policy, linking the past to today’s transportation challenges. His work combines rigorous scholarship with a clear, engaging style that reaches beyond academic audiences. In addition to his extensive publications, Albert is widely regarded as an expert who makes the complex history of railroads accessible and relevant to modern readers. Show Highlights

• (1:40) When the first train operated in the United States
• (14:13) America’s addition of the air brake and the automatic coupler
• (28:12) When track signals came into use
• (40:05) Are trains high-tech now?
• (45:04) The transition from steam to diesel and where the advancement was developed
• (58:29) Why railways are still important in the US
• (1:02:52) What Dr. Albert Churella is working on now

Links Referenced

• The Pennsylvania Railroad three-volume series:
  • https://www.amazon.com/Pennsylvania-Railroad-Building-1846-1917-American/dp/081224348X
  • https://www.amazon.com/Pennsylvania-Railroad-1917-1933-Railroads-Present/dp/0253066352
  • https://www.amazon.com/Pennsylvania-Railroad-Decline-1933-1968-Railroads/dp/0253069475