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Congo 1977 Fishes: A Must-Have for Stamp Collectors

This video, presented by Ken Martin from the American Philatelic Society, explores the rich history of trains in America and their vital role in the postal system through the lens of postage stamps. Key themes include: The Dawn of Rail: The narrative begins on August 8, 1829, with the Stourbridge Lion, the first full-scale steam locomotive in the U.S. (0:10-0:27). Postal Revolution: In 1838, Congress designated all railroads as postal routes (0:42-0:55). By 1850, nearly 7,000 miles of track were dedicated to moving mail, a figure that quadrupled within a decade (0:58-1:10). The Railway Mail Service (RMS): Established in 1864, the RMS introduced specialized Railway Post Office (RPO) cars. Clerks sorted mail while the train was in motion, and ingenious methods were developed to collect canvas bags from stations without stopping (1:15-1:56). Transcontinental Impact: The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 (marked by the "golden spike") drastically reduced delivery times. Shipping a letter from the Midwest to the West Coast dropped from weeks to just over seven days (2:00-2:28). Philatelic Legacy: Throughout the video, Ken showcases an extensive collection of train-themed stamps commemorating locomotives, cabooses, and postal innovations, highlighting how these engines kept the nation connected until the RMS concluded in 1977 (2:33-2:39).

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