HawkinsRails Presentations and Reprints

egyptian ver the years, I've greatly enjoyed presenting a variety of HawkinsRails presentations to various clubs, assemblies, and gatherings. Public speaking is a part of my daily vocation, so talking to groups about trains is an easy pleasure! I have revived several presentations that my late father presented to NRHS chapters and historical societies, and I have developed a number of my own picture-based programs based on subjects of interest and featured image collections here on our website. Listed below are some favorite presentations in recent years. If you are interested in a HawkinsRails presentation, for an in-person gathering or an online meeting, please contact me. I would be delighted to speak to your group. signature

Little Red Caboose

An overview in pictures of the rise and fall of the fabled North American caboose, and where one can see and ride some today. Featuring photos of dozens of cabooses, both wooden and steel.

Delta Route Difference

The story of the Columbus & Greenville Railway in Mississippi, with an emphasis on the unusual motive power that set the railroad apart from other southern shortlines.

Five Georgia Peaches

A photographic journey to five places around the state of Georgia where one can still ride a train simply for the fun of traveling the rails.

Deep South Desaturated

A large sampling of black & white photography from the 1960s documenting the waining days of steam locomotives still working for shortlines and industries in the southern states.

Southern Railway in Louisiana

Pictures, postcards, and maps offer a historical overview of the southwestern most terminal of the enormous Southern Railway system, which "Served the South" all the way down to the Big Easy.

Southern Shortline Stables

A photographic roster of first-generation diesels developing horsepower on shortlines across the southeastern United States from 1980 to the present day.

Novembers to Remember

A photographic scrapbook of 5 special excursions, all in central Appalachia, all in November. First we revisit the 1960 National Railway Historical Society meeting in Bristol and its excursions, then we chase the 75th and 80th runnings of the famous Clinchfield Santa Special.

Rocky Mountain Ties

A photographic travelogue through amazing railroad offerings in the beautiful state of Colorado, with emphases on narrow gauge museums and steam operations. Features images from 1959 and 2023 visits to the Centennial State.

Ralph and Ella's Railroad Roundup

Designed as a program introducing children to railroading, our Railroad Roundup covers the basics of railfanning: steam and diesel locomotives, freight car types and what they haul, Amtrak passenger car types, and (for parents) places in the southeast United States where you can still ride trains just for the fun of it!

	Little Red Caboose An overview in pictures of the rise and fall of the fabled North American caboose, and where one can see and ride some today. Featuring photos of dozens of cabooses, both wooden and steel.
Delta Route Difference The story of the Columbus & Greenville Railway in Mississippi, with an emphasis on the unusual motive power that set the railroad apart from other southern shortlines.
	Five Georgia Peaches A photographic journey to five places around the state of Georgia where one can still ride a train simply for the fun of traveling the rails.
Deep South Desaturated A large sampling of black & white photography from the 1960s documenting the waining days of steam locomotives still working for shortlines and industries in the southern states.
	Southern Railway in Louisiana Pictures, postcards, and maps offer a historical overview of the southwestern most terminal of the enormous Southern Railway system, which "Served the South" all the way down to the Big Easy.
Southern Shortline Stables A photographic roster of first-generation diesels developing horsepower on shortlines across the southeastern United States from 1980 to the present day.
	Novembers to Remember A photographic scrapbook of 5 special excursions, all in central Appalachia, all in November. First we revisit the 1960 National Railway Historical Society meeting in Bristol and its excursions, then we chase the 75th and 80th runnings of the famous Clinchfield Santa Special.
Rocky Mountain Ties A photographic travelogue through amazing railroad offerings in the beautiful state of Colorado, with emphases on narrow gauge museums and steam operations. Features images from 1959 and 2023 visits to the Centennial State.
	Ralph and Ella's Railroad Roundup Designed as a program introducing children to railroading, our Railroad Roundup covers the basics of railfanning: steam and diesel locomotives, freight car types and what they haul, Amtrak passenger car types, and (for parents) places in the southeast United States where you can still ride trains just for the fun of it!

egyptian hen I first proposed to my father the idea of launching a website to feature our combined railfan photography, what he liked most about the idea was the ease with which we could share interesting and obscure images with the wider railfan community. His only request was that such a website not become a commercial venture, but rather a means for promoting the hobby that has brought us immeasurable hours of enjoyment and fellowship with others over the years.

I am often contacted by railroad model craftsmen and history buffs interested in particular lines we feature, especially the Deep South shortlines and southern Fallen Flags. Over the years it has been a delight to make these connections, and to know that others share an interest in the same roads and equipment that have captured our attention.

To honor my father's collegial spirit regarding this hobby, I am happy to make available at no cost small quantities of digital files of our own photography, especially when requested for use in railfan research or prototype modeling. All photographs on this site marked JCH or RWH are available for sharing. Copies of other materials can be negotiated based on their intended use. Larger quantities are of our images are available for a service fee, and permission to use our original content in printed or online publications will gladly be considered on a case by case basis.

Contact me to make arrangements for securing reprints or digital copies of images found at HawkinsRails.

Contact me to make arrangements for securing reprints
or digital copies of images found at HawkinsRails.