“First introduced by ATF in 1906, Railroad Gothic was the quintessential typographic expression of turn-of-the-century industrial spirit — bold and brash in tone, and a little rough around the edges. A favorite for the plain speak of big headlines, it quickly gained popularity among printers. Its condensed but robust forms were likely a source of inspiration for later families of industrial sans serifs.” [ATF Collection]
Digital revivals by Linotype (1 weight) and Red Rooster (Steve Jackaman, 2002; 1 weight). See also ATF Railroad Gothic which expands and smooths out the design.