This World War II poster, produced by the Association of American Railroads in collaboration with the Office of Defense Transportation, features a powerful and streamlined side view of a locomotive barreling forward, underscoring the message that "WAR TRAFFIC MUST COME FIRST." The slogan is printed boldly across the top in white against a gradient blue sky, conveying urgency and priority for the movement of military resources. Beneath, in large letters, the phrase "DON'T WASTE TRANSPORTATION" reinforces the call to action, urging the public to prioritize rail transport for the war effort rather than personal travel.
The design emphasizes the locomotive’s strength and speed, representing the crucial role of railroads as the “Life-line of the nation.” This powerful imagery connects to the fact that trains were responsible for moving ninety-eight percent of military personnel across the United States during the war. The poster effectively uses patriotic duty to remind citizens that conserving transportation resources was essential to the war effort.