A short history of the american railways, covering ten decades and with 400 illustrations. Buy the historical guide to north american railroads trains books 3rd ed. The nations first big business sources and readings. Middleton is the author of more than 20 books and many hundreds of articles on rail transportation, engineering, and travel topics. Although this vision was eclipsed for a time by the rise of air travel and trucking, railroads have enjoyed a rebirth in recent years as profitable freight carriers. The northern pacific railroad, the sioux, and the panic of 1873 by m. Roger grant concentrates on the railroads golden age, 18301930. The book is filled with pictures and the history of the american railroads. The historical guide to north american railroads trains books. A fascinating account of the rise, decline, and rebirth of railroads in the united states, john f. Popular railroad history books goodreads share book.
List of books and articles about railroad history online. The historical guide to north american railroads trains. The biggest north american railroads financial times. Jan 01, 2012 the great railroad revolution is a history of trains in the united states from their beginnings to the present day. The beginnings of american railroads and mapping history of.
Encyclopedia of north american railroads by aaron e. Milford, oxford university press, for the carnegie endowment for international peace. The railroads were the key to economic growth in the second half of the nineteenth century. The great locomotive chase made into a movie and the romantic image of the railroad is illustrated in words and pictures. This book is a second editon, revised and corrected and thirteenth thousand and has gilt lettering on the cover and spine. American railroads page 3 at spirit of america bookstore. This article is part of the history of rail transport by country series wooden railroads, called wagonways, were built in the united states starting from the 1720s.
Stovers american railroads traces their history from the first lines that helped eastern seaports capture western markets to todays newly revitalized industry. Klein and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A railroad was reportedly used in the construction of the french fortress at louisburg, nova scotia, in new france now canada in 1720. Railroad history in the united states is nearly as old as the country itself, dating back to the mid1820s. Through the project, the center demonstrates how photographs and art can contribute to a wider understanding of railroads impact on the growth, economic life, and people of america. The american heritage history of railroads in america. Once an icon of american industry, railroads fell into a long decline beginning around the turn of the twentieth century. In this social history of the impact of railroads on american life, h. Stover describes the growth of the railroads monopoly, with the consequent need for. Discover the best history of railroads in best sellers. It contains original scholarship and fresh interpretations that set the standard in railway research. Passenger cars move along americas freight rail network, too.
The history of railroads in america follows the rise of passenger luxury service and the freight long haul business. American railroads the chicago history of american. Get the best deals on collectible railroad books when you shop the largest online selection at. Get the latest information and news about the north american freight rail industry, from policy stances to safety stats and stories that show the impact of railroads. History of rail transportation in the united states. Stovers american railroads traces their history from the first lines that helped eastern seaports. The author, christian wolmar, also provides some background information about railroads in britain early in the book, because steam trains originated in that country. As in england, the adoption of a railed pavement in north america was originally tied to gravity operation but later was adapted for the locomotive. This is the first english translation of a monumental account of american railroads and canals in the years 18381839. Railroads and the military, thereunder by record group and type of records textual and.
As the author vividly shows, the erie possessed an uncommonly interesting history. The industry had witnessed more than 70,000 miles of new construction in the 1880s, trains were the undisputed leader in transportation which drove an economic explosion, rail barons became increasingly richer, and it appeared nothing would slow americas largest industry. Jan 29, 2018 buy the historical guide to north american railroads trains books 3rd ed. Railroads at work, a picture book of the american railroads in action. The first regular carrier of passengers and freight was the baltimore and ohio railroad, completed on february 28, 1827. Historical atlas of the north american railroad 2010. Weighing in at less than 10 miles in length, the dummy line was the product of textile tycoon major henry franklin schenck. Scott yaeger, sugar land, texas a must read for anyone wanting to know how railroads have evolved in the u. The american heritage history of railroads in america explores the heart of that exciting revolution by rolling down the entire main line of the u. John stover takes a close look at the development of us railroads on the north american continent, their development, impact upon society and economics, their importance during the us civil war, their boom and golden age in the late 19th century and their eventual decline with the rise of the freeway and air travel. As an official cooperating organization with state parks, the nonprofit california state railroad museum foundation is dedicated to enhancing the educational and interpretive programs of the california state railroad museum and railtown 1897 state historic park. The critically acclaimed book has 102 pages, as well as over 60 photos many from the schenck family scrapbook and numerous maps. The book that i feel is the best railroad history ever published goes to don hofsommers the quannah route.
To capture the essence of the nations railroad experience, grant explores four fundamental topicstrains and travel, train stations, railroads and community life, and the legacy of railroading in americaillustrating each topic with carefully. The center for railroad photography and art, based in madison, wis. Chapters in the history of the industrial enterprise 1962 the visible hand. The five biggest railroad companies in north america. American passenger trains wwii to amtrak by dorin train railroad book 24. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Railroads and the american people indiana university press. American history and world history can be found at historycental history s home on the web. As the 1890s dawned, railroads were riding a great wave of euphoria. Under deregulation, railroads could offer rate discounts to get more customers. Records relating to north american railroads compiled by david pfeiffer. Richard white, information, markets, and corruption. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Poors manual of railroads 22 volume book collection on dvd price. The author includes several maps, charts and tables to back up and illustrate several of the facts he presents in the book. American railroads the chicago history of american civilization by john f. Railroads, the pioneers building americas transportation backbone, and more. History of rail transportation in the united states wikipedia. North american railroad history in a nutshell trains magazine. On average, trains are three to four times more fuel efficient than trucks. American railroads in the 20th centuryintroduction rails accelerate an economy and a culturemost of us take transportation for granted. It takes a mix of types of railroads to get the job done. Developing the pacific northwest, the life and work of asahel curtis. The book is over 600 pages in length and has hundreds of biographies many with portraits. North american railroads the illustrated encyclopedia is not an encyclopedia but just one more of these coffee table books with large pictures and very little information.
American prisoners of war and missinginaction personnel from the korean war and during. Nineteenthcentury railroad maps occupy a pivotal, transformative place in the history of north american transportation and travel cartography, not unlike the railroads they mapped. He is not trying to list them all and that is understandable considering how many they are and have been. Research our special sections on diverse subjects ranging from presidential elections to naval history. The earliest of all american railroads dates back to the new jersey railroad company of 1815, chartered by colonel john stevens. American locomotive engineers was published in 1899 and is a comprehensive biography of important railroad engineers at the end of the 19th century. Camtech publishing publisher of railroad history books including the lincoln funeral train, building a lima locomotive, henry ford, the lima route, and bradford the railroad town. To capture the essence of the nations railroad experience, grant explores four fundamental topicstrains and travel, train stations, railroads and community life, and the legacy of railroading in americaillustrating each topic with carefully chosen. Origins of the decline of american railroads, 18971917. Besides making it possible to ship agricultural and manufactured goods throughout the country cheaply and efficiently, they directly contributed to the development of other industries. History of railroads railroads were born in england, a country of dense population, short distances, and large financial resources. The managerial revolution in american business 1977 the most influential single book in business history, heavy emphasis on rr summary of thesis.
Railroads are one of the oldest known modes of transportation in the world. American railroads national museum of american history. A reference book for railroad managers, superintendents, master mechanics, engineers, architects and students. The line was ultimately never constructed and while small gravity and mulepowered roads popped up here and there it was the coming of the steam locomotive which changed everything.
Encyclopedia of north american railroads 1985 edition. The railroads revitalization and regulatory reform act 1976 and the staggers act 1980 deregulated the industry by making it easier for railroads to set their own rates, abandon unprofitable lines, and buy other railroads, thus creating economies of scale. It connects thousands of american communities to the global economy while helping to ease highway congestion. The historical guide to north american railroads, 3rd edition. In the united states the earliest railed pavements were in or adjacent to boston, where in 1807 when it was decided to flatten the top of beacon hill in order to enlarge the massachusetts. Holbrook presents a dramatic, highly readable chronicle of the developme. Book has cover soil, a faded spine, tanned pages, wear, soil, and foxing. With almost 200 imagesmany never before publishedtheodore kornweibel, jr. As a lifelong railroad buff, i had been looking for a good overall history of the railroads in the united states. Explore our complete time lines of major events in american history as well as world history. Stover a fascinating account of the rise, decline, and rebirth of railroads in the united states, john f. Division of economics and history, 1928 ocolc578047354 online version. There are currently no such railways in mississippi or north dakota.
In england problems were very different from those in america, which in the early 1800s was a nation of great distances, sparse population, and limited capital. The earliest railroads constructed were horse drawn cars running on tracks, used for transporting freight. The history of trains in america by christian wolmar, railroads and the american. The lawndale was one of north carolinas shortest but most storied narrow gauge railroads. Page i buildings and structures of american railroads. Railroads in the african american experience johns. Here are carefully selected articles, photographs, and art. Apr 15, 2008 a fascinating account of the rise, decline, and rebirth of railroads in the united states, john f. The history of american railroads, kornweibel makes clear, cannot be separated from african american history.
The us and canadian railroad industry is dominated by the seven class i railroads, most of them formed as a result of a wave of. The first to be chartered and built was the granite railway of massachusetts, which ran approximately three miles 1826. Founded in 1962, the museum of the american railroad is a notforprofit texas corporation dedicated to celebrating the heritage and exploring the future of railroads through historic preservation, research, and educational programming. The historical guide to north american railroads, 3rd edition trains books trains magazine on. This richly comprehensive history by a selfproclaimed lowbrow historian features more than 100 photographs and contemporary prints of americas railway system.
Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Camden miniature steam services uk online bookseller featuring railroad and model railroad titles with an emphasis on british, european, and american steam. Written by bill yenne, this title is a scrapbook of historic, fallen flag maps, featuring nearly all of the best known lines which once operated around the country. Few scenes capture the american experience so eloquently as that of a lonely train chugging across the vastness of the great plains, or snaking through tortuous high mountain passes. The author, christian wolmar, also provides some background information about railroads in britain early in the book, because steam trains originated in. Railways were introduced in england in the seventeenth century as a way to reduce friction in moving heavily loaded wheeled vehicles. However, there are other types of railways, including those whose units consist of single selfpropelled cars, cabledrawn railways used to. As we know, this great nation would not have grown and prospered as it did without the railroads, which brought together the young country and allowed for unprecedented prosperity. America on the move by means of its exhibition in washington the largest at the smithsonians national museum of american history, its education kits circulated to school districts throughout the u. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. The first north american gravity road, as it was called, was erected in 1764 for military purposes at the niagara portage in lewiston, new york. The manual represents a comprehensive annual account of the financial and operational details of all the american railroad companies.
Freight railroads page 5 of 5 in 2018, railroads moved a ton of freight an average of 473 miles per gallon of fuel. North american railroad history in a nutshell trains. The forgotten history of the chinese who helped build americas. This hefty volume, edited by middleton metropolitan railways. Appalachian coal mines and railroads in color volume 3 southern west virginia. Transcontinental railroads in the gilded age, journal of american history if you wanted to wade into the quagmire of corrupt railroad financeand, admittedly, thats a pretty big ifwhites article would be a good place to begin.
List of heritage railroads in the united states wikipedia. Oct 17, 2012 in this social history of the impact of railroads on american life, h. American railroads deliver 5 million tons of goods, on average, to ports, distribution centers, businesses and more every single day. This is a good book for a railroad buffs collection. The book is well written and informative with pictures and maps. The great railroad revolution is a history of trains in the united states from their beginnings to the present day. We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. Fine in blue and white stripped cloth covered boards with a gilt on blue title block on the spine. The poors manual of railroads was the definitive annual volume of the railroad business.
The death of an american railroad, this 50year saga of the weary erie goes far beyond describing in brilliant detail the turbulent last decades of a colorful, spunky, and innovative railroad. Fredericksburg, va freelancestaras a concise history of american railroadsits an interesting trip. Providence journal by edward achornnevertheless, the book which captures the grand sweep of the railroads story from the beginning is hardly a screed against government intervention in railroads. Railroad history, railways, locomotives, entrepreneurs.
Mr solomon has chosen to present 100 railroads in the us and canada. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. This is a list of heritage railways in the united states. Overburdened with regulation and often displaced by barge traffic on governmentmaintained waterways, trucking on interstate highways, and jet aviation, railroads. Smerk the federal role in urban mass transportation, and roberta l. Roger grant concentrates on the railroad s golden age, 18301930. Railroads enjoyed an outsized place in the history and mythology of western expansion during the nineteenth century.
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