The Historical Guide to North American Railroads: 160 Lines Abandoned or Merged Since 1930 ~ by George H. Drury
The Historical Guide to North American Railroads: 160 Lines Abandoned or Merged Since 1930
"The advance of Union Pacific Railroad tracklayers across Nebraska was part of America's great adventure of the 19th century. It marked the beginning of the era of the iron horse in Nebraska time when the whistle of an approaching train became synonymous with prosperity and contact with the outside world. Historic Railroads of Nebraska takes a photographic journey down the tracks of the five major railroads and various short lines that helped Nebraska progress into a national center of agriculture and business. The trip begins with the formative years of Nebraska towns that were established along railroad lines in the 19th century. It then travels through the 20th century and documents the major changes and challenges that the railroad industry faced. Through over 200 photographs, this book chronicles the era of streamlined passenger trains, rustic steam locomotives, and a bustling Omaha Union Station. The journey makes stops at railroad landmarks, significant cities, the state's only railroad tunnel, and the legendary North Platte Canteen. "
History of the American Railroads in 500 Photos
"Originally written in the late 1900's and then periodically revised, A History of the Baldwin Locomotive Works chronicles the origins and growth of one of America's greatest industrial-era corporations. Founded in the early 1830 s by Philadelphia jeweler Matthais Baldwin, the company built a huge number of steam locomotives before ceasing production in 1949. These included the 4-4-0 American type, 2-8-2 Mikado and 2-8-0 Consolidation. Hit hard by the loss of the steam engine market, Baldwin soldiered on for a brief while, producing electric and diesel engines. General Electric s dominance of the market proved too much, and Baldwin finally closed its doors in 1956. By that time over 70,500 Baldwin locomotives had been produced. This high quality reprint of the official company history dates from 1920. ..."
"The Horseshoe Curve is known worldwide as an engineering achievement by the Pennsylvania Railroad. This landmark, located just west of Altoona, opened to traffic on February 15, 1854, and it enabled a railroad line to climb the Allegheny Mountains and the eastern continental divide. The Horseshoe Curveas construction impacted railroad design and development for mountainous terrain everywhere, enabling access to coal and other raw materials essential for the industrial age. J. Edgar Thomson, chief engineer of the Pennsylvania Railroad, is widely recognized for his engineering and design of the Horseshoe Curve, a concept never utilized previously. Today the curve is still in use and sees approximately 70 trains daily. Through vintage photographs, Horseshoe Curve chronicles how this marvel remains one of the vital transportation arteries linking the east and west coasts of the United States."
John Norwood's Railroads
"Recounting his experiences and the historical background of numerous standard and narrow gauge lines in the U.S. Norwood has packed this book with hundreds of photographs and vivid text. In remarkable detail he unfolds such railroads as RGS, Colorado and Southern, White Pass & Yukon, Uintah, DSP&P, D&RGW (standard gauge), GM&O, UP, SF, KCS, RI, Frisco, CG&Q and NP"
The Ma & Pa : A History of the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad
"A descriptive history of the major civil engineering projects in the development of North American railroads. In addition to examining bridges and viaducts, encompassing suspension, arch and cantilever truss design, tunnels, mountain crossings and passes, and docks, yards, and terminals, the author presents capsule profiles of 29 individuals who contributed to the evolution of civil engineering. Contains 249 archival and contemporary photographs and drawings." ~ Amazon.com
Locomotive Building: The Construction of a Steam Engine for Railway Use
"Originally created in 1911, Locomotive Building is the definitive text concerning the construction of steam engines for railroad use. Chapters include descriptions of all locomotive systems and their functions, including side rods, boiler, wheels, axle and diving boxes, frames and cylinders, valve motion, shop practice and more. Profusely illustrated with diagrams and rare photos, this reprint has been slightly reformatted."
"Originally printed in 1919, The Engineman's Manual was intended to be used in the instruction of locomotive engineers, firemen, and railroad mechanics. It features dozens of chapters concerning every aspect of the steam locomotive power plant and control systems, including the air brakes. Complete with detailed examination questions and answers, The Engineman's Manual remains one of the most complete books ever written about the working components of the railroad steam engine. This high quality reprint includes all of the original text nearly 500 pages worth in an easy-to-read 8.5x11 format. "
North American Railyards
"This comprehensive, illustrated guide is the definitive reference to major North American railyards – more than 70 in all. Over the past 13 years the author has visited each yard gathering brief histories, operating data, information on unique characteristics, and photographs. In the relatively few cases in which yards have been downsized or closed, the author includes the most recent information." - 240 pages • 200 color, 50 b/w, 20 diagrams
North American Steam Locomotive Builders and Their Insignia
"While the steam locomotive today has a place in our hearts, in earlier years it was the key to continental travel. This book gives a fascinating look into the successes and failures of the locomotive builders, then on the cutting edge of technology. Each builder is considered in its place of toil. Philadelphia, Schenectady and Lima, Ohio are here with a host of other locations from New England to San Francisco. The Canadian builders are included."
New Mexico's Railroads: A Historical Survey
"The steel, steam, and dreams of a century of railroading in New Mexico are captured in 200 photographs and a crisp text. From a bygone era of narrow-gauge lines to today's Amtrak service, this book covers both the short lines and the branches feeding to main lines of major railroad systems. ... The great railroad-building era in New Mexico ended with World War I, when eleven common carriers operated 3,000 miles of track." ~ University of New Mexico Press
One Track Mind
"These photographic essays on Western railroading provide excellent black and white images of trains, providing a photogenic collection of rail scenes from across the country. Rail buffs will find these historical photographic presentations engrossing" ~ Midwest Book Review
Thunder Lake Narrow Gauge
"Otto Perry was one of a small group of hardy pioneers who preserved a record of railroad operations on film. This book of 336 pages features a representative selection of over 500 photographs covering over 75 different railroads."
Prune Country Railroading - Steel Rails to San Jose
"A comprehensive study of steam and diesel railroading in one particular county in California - Santa Clara - from the 1860's to 1985. What now might be only rusting, weed-infested spur trackage was once throbbing main line; virtual wars have been fought over features of the Valley landscape that go unnoticed today by both motorists and railroaders. Map endpapers. 191 pages with rare photographs, maps and rosters."
"From interviews with those who knew or worked with painter Howard Fogg to full-page color examples of his train portraits, this presents an outstanding survey of the 50-year work of Fogg, who only painted trains. From steam locomotives to diesels and landscapes where trains featured, Railroad Artistry of Howard Fogg presents Fogg's best work, gathered by two of his closest friends." by Midwest Book Review ~ The Railroad Artistry of Howard Fogg
Railroading in Conneaut, Ohio
"Conneaut, Ohio, a major Lake Erie harbor town, fortified the industrial and economic growth of the Great lakes area during the "Golden Age" of railroading. Three major railroads, the Nickel Plate Road, the New York Central, and the Bessemer & Lake Erie hauled people, iron ore, and coal in and out of Conneaut. Written in cooperation with the Conneaut Historical Railroad Museum and the Conneaut Area Historical Society, this book preserves Conneaut's rich rail and shipping history in vintage photographs." ~ Arcadia Publishing
"Along with sharp color and historical photography, Railroads of Colorado includes ideas for exploring Colorado's railroads; both the ghosts of long-gone trains that haunt the mountains and the restored trains whose whistles still echo off those granite peaks. It also contains a map showing the routes of more than thirty Colorado railroads and a railroad directory, which lists contact information for thirteen operating passenger trains." ~ Amazon.com