Product Description
The Yosemite Valley Railroad was constructed as a badly needed conveyance to Yosemite Valley in the days before the automobile. Visitation to Yosemite had been small, and the federal government wished to introduce the new park system to the public. A railroad through the Merced River Canyon from Merced was the answer to the challenging terrain. Thousands of acres of virgin timber forest and other natural resources along the way supported the building and operation of this rail line. From l906 until World War II, timber, gold, barium, limestone, freight, and visitors rode the rails to Yosemite National Park on this line. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A revealing and welcome look at the Yosemite Valley and its railroad
I own hundreds of railroad books, but until I received a review copy of Leroy Radonovich's Yosemite Valley Railroad, I had never seriously considered modeling the line.

However, the Yosemite Valley Railroad quickly won me over: introducing me to not only one of the most interesting shortline mountain railroads in the country, but also the story of the people and the industries that it served--and the challenges that it had to overcome.

That the Yosemite Valley is one of the nation's most picturesque areas is obvious; Ansel Adams creating some of his most beautiful photographs at Yosemite. One of earliest national parks, Yosemite defines dramatic mountain scenery and was an early tourist destination.

The Yosemite Valley Railroad carried met the mainline trains and carried vacationers to the huge Hotel Del Portal, one of the largest national park hotels.

But, as this book shows, there's far more to the Yosemite Valley Railroad than its passenger trains and its huge trainshed at El Portal. Until I read the Yosemite Valley Railroad, I had not been aware of the line's extensive freight operations from the area's extensive mining and lumbering operations.

And, I was certainly unaware of the line's incline created to bring loaded log cars down from the various lumbering camps in the area. The incline exceeded 80 degrees, and there are numerous photographs of the 12-foot in diameter trees that were lowered by cable to the railhead.

There are numerous photographs of the incline being built and at work. The steam-powered hoist, for example, had to pull itself up to the top of the incline on wooden skids. There are also great photographs of employees and their families happily riding the incline in the pre-OSHA days. There are also the sad photographs of runaway cars and severed cables.

If you're a railroad lover, and you spent most of your time on today's Burlington Northern Santa Fe, or, you focus on the Fallen Flag lines of the pre-Amtrak 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, you'll appreciate this fairly-priced, high-valley book will introduce you to a whole new railroad, and a new way of railroading, set in one of the most beautiful locations in the world. The photographs of the huge hotel, itself, are worth the price of admission! Note, Arcadia has also released a postcard selection that perfectly complements this book. Yosemite Valley Railroad (Postcards of America) ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Working on the Railroad
Great information on daily operations of a Railroad. The Author uses past and present pictures to explain he's point across. I wish he just stayed current. He's explain each occupation of the R.R. from the basis brakeman 101 to the engineer. As we know must of this job were eliminated as we come to new technology era. Overall, its a great book to understand the past but if you are looking current technology. It's not there.

An Insiders View of Working on the Railraod
This is an insiders look at what it's really like to work on the railroad. It's a collection of stories and pictures of men and machines from the later days of steam to today. Here is the engineer pulling on the throttle, but here also is the maintenance man carrying an oil can to lubricate the reciprocating parts of a steam locomotive.

The pictures and the book can't help but convey the romance of the men who make it happen on the railroad. This is in spite of the words that point out that the work is dangerous, that you can be called out at any moment, and that a lot of the work is very dirty - especially during steam engine days.

Mr. Solomon has spent most of his life writing about the railroads. He has already published twenty-something books before doing this one. He knows whereof he speaks and is able to explain what he knows clearly and interestingly. ... Read more

Product Description
This book tells the dramatic story of the years 1941-1945 when U.S. railroads, using fewer cars and locomotives than in WWI, moved more tonnage and more passengers than ever before. Divided into 13 chapters, plus a 32 page colour section, an introduction, bibliography and a complete index, the volume appeals to rail fans, historians, military historians, and many others. The book features 542 photographs, an additional 285 illustrations and a complete listing of U.S. military camps, posts and bases as of 1 August 1941. The book discusses the implications of the war on the railroads, embarkation of troops and materials, how the Military Railway Service joined the fight and what was happening on U.S railroads during the war. It also addresses new railroad cars and locomotives built for the war, military camp railroads, how Alaska's railroads played a part in the conflict, how women helped the war effort, and what was happening in foreign theatres. It describes how railroads aided in the return of wounded troops and equipment, and the atmosphere on the railroads immediately after the war. Scale drawings of war-emergency box cars are also included, as are troop train car plans.The book covers such topics as the huge Chicago & NorthWestern Proviso Yards during wartime, personal glimpses of the war from a number of railroaders and intriguing aspects of the war from the Army Engineers, Association of American Railroads and the War Department. Wartime products of locomotive and railroad car manufacturers such as Baldwin, Alco, Davenport, Lima, Whitcomb, Budd, Electro-Motive, H.K. Porter, Pullman, American Car & Foundry and the St. Louis Car Company are documented throughout the volume. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Insulting to veterans!
DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!!The book begins with a very patriotic dedication and right below that it states the book was printed in CHINA!!!What an insult to the sacrifice made by American men and women during World War Two.

Great book fills WW 2 history niche
For everyone interested in U.S. railroad history and the history ofWorld War II, this is the perfect book. It fills a niche that, for unknown reasons, has not been well covered. The railroads filled a remarkable role during the war, but other than a few books and articles, it seems to have escaped much attention.
This large book fills that hole admirably. Although the text is often minimal, the wealth of pictures and reproduced WW II railroad advertising, posters and other items provides a compelling visual record of those years. Sometimes I wished for just a bit more text to help explain some of the background and historical relevance of the images. Still, for both railroad history buffs and World War II historians, this is a book that should be read, enjoyed and used as a reference.

My dad loves it!
Well, I ordered it for my dad -- and he loves it!He was very happy because he couldn't find it anywhere but saw that it was available on Amazon.com -- that God for the internet ...

Best War Trains Book Ever
I love railroad history and World War Two - This book bridges both topics! It's very well done lots of pictures and information. From reading this book I can see why the WWII generation is called the greatest generation. This book is a must have for the railfan or modeler who grew up in the 1940's. I am a huge New York Central Rail Fan and there is some NYC info in it as well. ... Read more

Product Description
A fascinating account of the rise, decline, and rebirth of railroads in the United States, "American Railroads" traces their history from the first lines that helped Eastern seaports capture Western markets to today's revitalized industry. 24 halftone illustrations. 5 maps. 9 tables. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

American Railroads by Stover
This book is perfect for American History buffs. It contains
an exhaustive history of the evolution of railroading in the USA.
Railroads thrived throughout the 1850s in response to the trans-
Pacific trade in gold. In 1860, Chicago was served by 8 railroads.
The Pacific Railway Bill of 1862 heralded the first Pacific line.
A bill was signed on 7-1-1862. A picture of an 1870s railroad
management gathering depicted the executives in 3-piece suits and
beards. A sign posted land for $6 to $12. per acre in Illinois.
The NY-New Haven and Hartford RR line started circa 1844.
The book would be a perfect acquisition for the student in your
house.

ALL ABOARD!!!(But you might get derailed!)
Stover certainly gives us a lot of facts about the American railroad from its early beginnings to its present-day situation and in a very readable style. But the order that he chooses to present them in seems backwards. Examples: He frequently informs us of the changing track mileage of Class I railroads. Great, only what IS a Class I railroad? He finally explains that in the last chapter! He rightly devotes much of the midsection of the book to the Golden Age from the end of the Civil War to the beginning of World War I. But in Chapter 4 he explains the construction of the lines during that period as if people were jolting through it all on Civil War era rolling stock. What about airbrakes? That innovation he explains in Chapter 6. In Chapter 4 he mentions a railroad having 400 miles of electrified track just after the turn of the century. But he doesnft bother explaining ELECTRIFICATION of railroads until Chapter 8. And at the beginning of that chapter that deals with the decline of railroads after World War II, he suddenly jumps us from 1945 to 1965 when 707s were jetting people coast to coast in a few hours and sinking long-distance rail passenger service in their wakes. Hey, what about the immediate postwar years when flimsy props were crashing more people than they were getting to their destinationsG and such modern luxury limiteds sprouting vista-domes as the El Capitan were smoothly and safely whizzing passengers across the continent? Ah, that he explains towards the END of the chapter. These and so many other sidetrackings made me feel Stover was trying to derail me!

Still, if you manage to avoid being derailed by him on the way, by the end of the book Stoverfs explanations do give you a very good overview of the American railroad. But he ONLY explains. Nowhere does he DESCRIBE. So, if you want a fairly comprehensive list of events of this revolutionary innovation in transportation that played such a vital role in shaping modern America, then ALL ABORAD! But if you want to actually FEEL what it was like to ride on one of those bone shakers of the 1840s, to dine in the elegance of a dinning car of the 1890s, to board the first run of the streamlined, diesel-driven Zephyr in 1934, (and which Stover could so easily have given us by adding just a few descriptive paragraphs!j. . .then alas, you WILL get derailed!

Excellent Rail History
Well written, concise and very informative. One of the best general railroad history books I have ever read. Mr. Stover covers the development of railroads in America from the beginning to present with an objective view. ... Read more

Product Description
The rise and fall of the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railway from 1887 to its merger with the Soo Line in 1961 is the subject of this thoroughly researched book. The DSS&A was organized in the hope that it would become a transcontinental link between the Canadian Pacific at the Sault and the Northern Pacific at Duluth, with the major route taking passengers from the Twin Ports of Duluth-Superior through Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to St. Ignace. The line was forced to merge because of competition from more efficient lake vessels on Lake Superior, which could carry goods of lower value at much better rates than the DSS&A.

John Gaertner's account draws on a wide array of sources, such as the Soo Line records at the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul, the Michigan State Archives at Lansing, the Burton Historical Collection in Detroit, and local newspaper accounts. A compelling read for history buffs and railroad enthusiasts alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Required Reading to Understand the DSS&A
The Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railway was not one of America's fabled railroad companies that crossed great stretches of the country over mountains and plains connecting large industrial centers, it served only the small mining and forestry communities of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Northern Wisconsin, and touched Duluth.Gaertner does a thorough job explaining the growth of the DSS&A from a complex merger of small lines into a railroad along the south shore of Lake Superior with the potential to handle traffic from points further west to the east coast through its connection at Sault Ste. Marie with the Canadian Pacific.

Gaertner explains how the Canadian Pacific's ownership of both the Soo Line and the DSS&A was detrimental to the latter.The DSS&A never lived up to its potential due to the willful neglect of the Canadian Pacific and the tango of competition and cooperation with the Soo Line, its sister corporation.The DSS&A also faced competition for the ore hauling trade with the Milwaukee Road, the Chicago and North Western, and the regional Lake Superior and Ishpeming.Despite the best efforts to reach profitability, with a short exceptional period after reorganization in the 1950s, the DSS&A was never able to sustain this goal.It was eventually merged with the Soo Line and what is left of its tracks is now owned by Wisconsin Central which in turn is owned by Canadian National.

This history contains the details that railroad fans appreciate including details of freight and passenger train schedules and shifts in these schedules as well as equipment purchases and uses.The ferries and their operation at St. Ignace is well covered.The DSS&A also owed the Mineral Range Railroad and the Hancock and Calumet Railroad, both of which started out as narrow gauge lines, and Gaertner also reviews the history of these lines.The book is well illustrated and has maps displaying the entire line and the important segments of the line.The appendixes include a roster of the locomotives owned by the DSS&A, the Mineral Range, and the Hancock and Calumet and a detailed list of all the stations in the DSS&A system.Lastly, the book contains a detailed index.

Although Gaertner does mention the work life of the DSS&A employees in passing, he does not describe the workforce in any detail, its ethnic composition, its working conditions, its pay in comparison to other occupations, etc.Unions are mentioned abruptly with no explanation of their struggle, if any, to be recognized by the DSS&A management.More coverage of the common DSS&A worker would have been welcomed.A table of the maps would have been a helpful addition.

Overall, this is an excellent corporate history of a struggling railroad that once played a crucial role in the life of the remote communities of the Great Lakes north country.Gaertner leaves you well informed and craving to learn more about this railroad, the region, and its competitors.I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about the history of the region and the importance of railroads for its development.

Scholarly, engrossing, very readable
John Gaertner has written an interestingly readable history of this regional railroad - an approachable style, high standards of scholarship, a very pleasant read. Highly recommended for the student of Michigan-Wisconsin history and rail enthusiast alike.

Thorough history of an Upper Peninsula railroad
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan (the "UP")is still relatively sparsely populated and the DSS&A had an uphill battle from the start to survive. This book provides an excellent history of its entire life, from the mid-nineteenth century construction of predecessor lines built to haul ore into Marquette to its 1961 merger with the Soo Line. The author makes a good case that majority ownership by the Canadian Pacific, although at times providing the cash to survive, in the long run sealed its fate by the parent company's favorable treatment of the Soo Line, a competitor of the DSS&A, especially for bridge traffic between Duluth/Superior and Sault Ste. Marie. As well as covering the construction history of virtually every mile of the railroad, the author does not neglect how the railroad was operated, giving details of how the trains ran and of the locomotives and cars used. Appendices provide a locomotive roster, list of stations and operating statistcs.
The black and white photos are well selected and nicely compliment the text, although generally of small size. The only color photo is on the dust jacket. A strong point of the book is in its maps that vary from single stations to complicated trackage in the Superior terminal area and the maze of narrow gauge lines in the Keweenaw Peninsula. This is one author who does not assume the reader's initimate knowledge of the gegography of his subject matter.
This is a must-buy for anybody interested in any of the subject railroads (DSS&A, Soo, CP), in the railroad or general history of the Upper Peninsula, the ore industry and, finally, with any general interest in railroad history. ... Read more

Product Description
With more than 220 black and white photographs from the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, and private collections across the country, this is the essential pictorial guide for all those interested in the role of the Iron Horse in the American Civil War. Like all wars, the Civil War was not all gunfire and panic. It was supply and transport, trains and trouble on the line, men in Blue and Gray fighting against almost unbelievable odds with lumbering, woodburning engines. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Civil War nut
This book combines two of my greatest interest, Railroads and the Civil War. After many, many hours searching websites and trying to collect Civil War era railroad photos, I came across this book. It was published back in the 60's, but Amazon connected me with someone willing to part with their copy. I am now holding all of those photos I've been trying to collect. If you've seen a Civil War railroad photo anywhere, I'm sure you will find it in this book. It does have writing as well, but you'll want it for the photos!

Blue and Gray on the Rails
Civil War Railroads by George Abdill is a wonderful browsing book on railroading in the 1860's.One can open to most any page and find an interesting story, anecdote, biography or fact about Civil War railroading. The book is organized chronologically with no clear academic theme. Itdraws few conclusions.It is, however, flooded with over two hundredphotos mainly from the Library of Congress and the National Archives. There is a wide mixed spectrum of topics including locomotives,rollingstock, structures, yards, track, car ferries was well as burned anddestroyed trains and bridges on both sides.Somehow Abdill seems to haveidentified by name almost every locomotive pictured.Devastation iscertainly a common thread.Book length topics like the Andrew's raid (thegreat locomotive chase) and the Lincoln funeral train are covered in only afew pages.

Readers should note this is a word for word reprint ofAbdill's 1961 book of the same title.The Indiana University Pressdigitally enhanced reprint on glossy paper greatly improved the photoquality from the muddy first edition.For the modeler it has no scaledrawings, track layouts or even color lithographs. It is very pleasingblend of many railroad topics. I was never bored.

I would recommend it toCivil War buffs, model railroaders and anyone interest in a fascinatingpart of our history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

THE Source for Nevada Railroading
Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California is the premier work on transportation in the Silver State. The photos are suprb, the text inclusive and the maps are a must for rail buffs and modellers seeking authenticity. I have owned this set for 35 years and it is nearly worn out from reference. The section on the southern roads is espcially well researched. I have been able to relocate features and buildings from Myrick's maps alone.

David Myrick did an excellent job of weaving history with technology in this readable work. Profusely illustrated, it connects time, place, and Nevada's colorful mining history together in a delightful fabric. The research appears flawless, as I have yet to find contradictory evidence in the several areas I have delved into. Reading the stories, one obtains a feel for the flow of commerce, the excitement of new discoveries, the character of the players in this real-life American drama. Detailed discussions of railroad technology, planning, construction, finance, and operations make this a delightful research tool.

The binding and printing are excellent, with beautiful crisp type and exceptionally clear photgraphs.

Overall, this set is a MUST for any serious student of Nevada railroads. Well worth the cost at todays price. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Very cool and reasonably thorough
Great book detailing Chicago and northern Indiana passenger rail services.If you have some or little knowledge of the area this is a great read with lots of pictures.If you are expert on the subject you will find it lacking but still with great pictures.

A welcome and seminal contribution to Railroading reference collections in general

Commuter railroads have been a key element to the grow and prosperity of American Midwestern cities for the more than a century. Co authored by railroad experts Patrick C. Dorin (Superior, Wisconsin) and Andrew T. roth (Belvidere, Illinois), "Chicagoland Commuter Railroads: Metra & Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District" is a profusely illustrated history of suburban rail passenger train services that played a critically important role in the grow of the Chicago Metro area. Beginning with a succinct review of the various commuter services that crisscrossed Chicago and its suburbs before the development of the Regional Transit Authority, "Chicagoland Commuter Railroads" continues with providing detailed information about the routes, train frequency, passenger numbers, and physical equipment associated with the commuter railroad. While most of the illustrations are historical black-and-white photographs, of special note is the Color Photo Gallery wonderfully showcasing individual commuter trains. A welcome and seminal contribution to Railroading reference collections in general, and Midwestern Commuter Train History in particular, "Chicagoland Commuter Railroads" is especially recommended for academic and community reference collections, as well as the private collections of railroading enthusiasts and history buffs.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Railroad Signatures Across The Pacific Northwest
The author takes you on a great ride across the Northwest showing a great correlation between the railroads and everyday living in the Pacific Northwest. From the heros to the crooks..the importance of each element of society in the formation of this great region.An easy book to read..a hard book to put down.

Visually stunning!
One of my favorite railroad history books, filled with information and numerous prints in color and black and white. The reproduction posters and advertising media is some of the best I've seen for a regional book. It isa great book to sit down with for an hour or a day, easy to read bits orchapters. Good historical information, well written. ... Read more

Product Description
An extensive and colorful salute to the nation's largest railroad during its most dramatic years, by one of America's most prominent railroad authors. 286 full-color photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Fantastic!
This book is outstanding, and an absolute requirement for any fan of the PRR. I've spent hours pouring over the incredible collection of photos collected in this book. 1940-1950 was probably the best time on ANY railroad - steam locomotives were at their largest, most powerful, and most technically advanced; and they shared the rails with the rapidly increasing swarm of diesels, all during a time of incredible railroad traffic volume. This book illustrates that time beautifully in full color. Don's extensive captions are wonderful as well, providing a flavor and context for the images portrayed.

PRR Eye Candy-The Pennsylvania Railroad: The 1940s-1950s
This picture book was made for people like me who grew up beside the "Pennsy" in the 1950s.Every picture is pure nostalgia.I lived on the PRR's Washington-Philadelphia main line before moving west in the mid 50s.I then travelled the PRR to Chicago a couple of times a year so virtually every picture rings a bell and what pictures!There isn't a dud among the lot.Mr. Ball surpassed himself in his editing and captions.For those familiar with his work that is saying alot.I think he had a special place in his heart for the Pennsy as I do.A gem of a book.

Really Excellent Photo Book
This is certainly an incredible collection of color photos of PRR during the period the book is about. It's really amazing to see the PRR in all its color glory. But the book has a couple down sides that prevent it from receiving 5 stars, IMHO. First, I think there is just a bit too much covered of other railroads. Now I realize that the PRR interfaced with what seems like everyone. The stuff about the LIRR is fine, and of course the subsids of the PRR should be covered. But the other stuff just doesn't belong. I also felt some of the captions go off on wild tangets. I want to know about what is in the picture, not the state of war at that exact moment or other such unrelated info.

Very nice book for your collection
What a great book!I loved the photos and the narrative.I very nice book to have for your collection and an interesting coffee table book for non-train people too.

The Pennsylvania Railroad 1940's-1950's
A wonderful window in time to the transition era on the PRR, and a valuable
reference for thePRR enthusiast and modeller.The book also showcases
the excellent photography of the late Don Ball Jr. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Good overview of a great RR and a Canadian institution
This is a good overview of a great railroad and a Canadian institution. The CP was more than just a railroad; it had hotels, ships, etc., and these are mentioned during discussion of this company, although the focus is primarily on the railroad. The photography is wonderful and makes the book. Too bad there wasn't more room for more specialized information on the locomotives and cars, but many are shown in the excellent photos. A good overview and first reference on the CP. ... Read more

Product Description
With simple text and bold, bright pictures this is another in Anne Rockwell's popular transport series which includes "bikes" and "fire engines". It is an entertaining introduction to trains of all kinds, all driven by charming foxes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book for young children with short attention spans!
I student teach with infants and toddlers (18 mos-2 yrs.).I am constantly looking for books to read in group time that do not have too many words and that will hold the attention of the children.This book wasgreat.They pointed out the colors of the trains, the fact that many ofthe trains looked different, and also some of the surroundings in thepictures.I would highly recommend it for a simple lesson ontransportation! ... Read more

Product Description
Visit the landmarks from the golden age of American railroads

In 1828, with the founding of the Baltimore & Ohio, America had its first railroad. As tracks crisscrossed the landscape, railroad stations sprang up across the nation. Many of them were monumental buildings, the pride of their cities and towns. But with the advent of the American romance with the automobile, the railroad industry fell into decline and many of these grand structures lost their use. Some were destroyed, others survive today as landmarks. With words and photographs, this book captures the spirit of over 700 American railroad stations that remain today, in all fifty states. Some are still stations, some are restaurants, some are museums. All are worth exploring as remnants of the great railroad system that once spanned the nation.

• Foreword by Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a vocal proponent of train station preservation
• Over 500 historic and contemporary detailed photographs and line illustrations
• Discussion of the importance of preservation issues and the difficulties encountered in rescuing railroad stations

JANET GREENSTEIN POTTER (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a writer, lecturer, and film producer. Her interest in historic preservation led to the production of a PBS program entitled "Whistle Stops to Railway Palaces: The Legacy of American Train Stations." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must have supplement for any railfan library.
Complete with brief, but detailed history and current uses for stations throughout the country, this tome is a must for any railfan to enjoys seeking out the train depots in cities along the path of his vacation route. Though by no means comprehensive (about 10 to 12 depots are listed for most states; Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio each have dozens,many of which are in excellent condition.), the book is nevertheless tremendously useful. In addition, one should consider Halberstadt & Halberstadt's "The American Train Depot & Roundhouse" and Ward's "Southern Railway Depots, Vol. 1 & 2. The out of print Alexander's "Down At The Depot" should be sought out as well ... Read more

Product Description
A riveting look at the evolution of transportation in American cities, Straphanging in America begins with an examination of the horsecar and omnibus, then traces the extraordinary impact of the cable car, elevated railway, interurban, and subway on city life -- and the nation. Capturing people's imaginations with its "magical" use of electricity, trolley cars made pollution-free, inexpensive, mass urban transportation possible and created suburbs. Interurbans connected cities, spawned new towns, and made overland travel a national pastime. Subways solved the problem of street congestion. Beyond the effects on landscape, urban transport unified cities as people of all economic backgrounds rubbed elbows. Vividly illustrating America's urban transformation, Straphanging in America captures the excitement of a nation and its burgeoning technology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A curious but elementary chronolgical narrative
This small book is a relatively quick read that provides a good, simplistic overview of the rise and development of public mass transit in the USA.There are enough factual tidbits and illustrations to assist the reader in digesting this basic treatment of how ever-changing transit vehicles helped to populate/expand many of our US cities. This particular book is what it is--and little more.Yet, it is worth a look! The good news is that this title can be found online in various conditions [from new and like new to good or fair] for reasonable cost. [ASIN:0195132297 Straphanging in the USA: Trolleys and Subways in American Life (Transportation in America)]] ... Read more

Product Description
For well over a century and a half the railroad has rolled on, crisscrossing the continent in the ceaseless activity that keeps the North American economy moving. This never-ending workday unfolds hour by hour in The Railroad Never Sleeps, a remarkable photographic chronicle of North American railroading over twenty-four hours.

On May 10, 2007, the anniversary of the Golden Spike ceremony marking the completion of the first U.S. transcontinental railroad, several of todays top railroad photographers set out for every corner of the continent to capture the railroad in action at every hour of the day and night. The result is a magnificent portrait of railroading across the vast canvas of North America, from rural outpost to urban center, port city to Great Plains, dawn to dusk to deepest night.

The breathtaking photographs and detailed captions depict every type of railroading--heavy-haul unit trains, intermodal, modern passenger and commuter lines, short-line services, and more. Together they create a complete picture of the motive power, rolling stock, workers, and operations that keep North American life and business on the rails. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

1 day in the life of railroads
The book features 1 full day in the life of US railroads. It is a series of pictures and captions - with some text - representing many aspects of all US railroads - including freight, passenger, commuter - in one same day. All pictures were taken on a same day by many photographers ... Read more

Product Description
Visionary Railroader chronicles the life of a key figure in the history of rail travel in the United States. As president of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, Jervis Langdon Jr. had the opportunity to put progressive concepts into practice.

In 1964, Langdon took charge of the Rock Island, and by the time he left in 1970, he had spearheaded major improvements for this struggling carrier. The same year, he became lead trustee for the bankrupt Penn Central and three years later assumed the presidency. From his role in passing the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 to his work on creating the quasi-public Conrail, Visionary Railroader examines the impact of Langdon's active life with clear text, unique representations of media of the day, and select family photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An important contribution to the thin genre of Railroad Management
Books about contemporary railroad management are thin and far between, in part because the history is still being written and the theories are still being tested. For this reason there is little yet written about railroad management in the final years of the Age of Regulation, ie up to 1980. This is unfortunate, as the lessons are useful to today's industry and perhaps more importantly to today's policy makers.

"Visionary Railroader" complements Rush Loving's "The Men Who Loved Trains", which focuses on Conrail and its predecessors from the perspective of multiple personalities; in contrast, "Visionary Railroader" focuses on one individual's role on 3 very different railroads (B&O, Rock Island, Penn Central) in roughly the same era. It also complements Richard Saunders' overview of the industry in "Merging Lines" by presenting a highly personal slice of life of one man's leadership role during those complex and difficult times.

While I never met Mr. Langdon, the book made me feel that I knew him as a person in addition to his important role in 2 of the railroads in my life.

Henry Posner III
Chairman, Iowa Interstate Railroad (Rock Island successor)
Former Employee, Conrail (Penn Central successor) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Definitive History of US Railroads in the Modern Era
Drawing from numerous sources, Saunders weaves the economic and political history behind Railroading As We Know It Today into a work that is all at once comprehensive, insightful and engaging. This is no less than the Definitive Work and I have been recommending it as such to colleagues.

Having been with the Rock Island and Conrail for much of the time period covered, I can also attest that he seems to have gotten the facts not only right, but also in perspective.

Henry Posner III

Chairman
Railroad Development Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA

A great book.
This book carries on the very fine writing from this author's previous work, Merging Lines. This is an exceptionally good history of railroads in America since 1970. It explains why we see which railroad companies are still operating and what happened to the likes of Southern Pacific, Western Pacific, Conrail, Southern, Rio Grande, etc. It is a very easy read and hard to put down. I look forward to the next book from this author. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Fotos excelentes.
Las fotos son de buena calidad, con un brillo adecuado. Quizas el texto contiene algunos errores, pero no importan, si compras el libro por sus fotos. Muy bueno para railfans que viven fuera de U.S. y que no tenemos estos trenes para verlos todos los dias.

A solid, glossy pictorial.
I like this book. It has numerous color photos and is informative. This book is a quality product. Solid. Heavy. Durable for taking it out of the home. I found the text to be easy to understand and the catagories were well thought out. In addition, the size of the book itself exudes ease of use and a portability to boot.Get this book. It is a welcomed addition to your railroad library.

Not for the serious railfan.
This book is not for the serious railfan.Pictures are ok, but some are from tourist railroads and some are staged.My problem with this is they are not identified as such.Most pictures lack location and date.There are inaccuracies such as misidentifying spreaders as flangers.
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Product Description
Efforts to create and mold new technologies have been a central, recurrent feature of the American experience since at least the time of the Revolution. Many of the most tumultuous events in the nation's history have involved disputes over the appropriateness and desirability of particular technologies. For nearly a century, railroad technology persistently posed novel challenges for Americans, prompting them to reexamine their most cherished institutions and beliefs. Covering a now neglected aspect of American history, Usselman traces their myriad struggles in rich detail. ... Read more