Books : The Railroad Travel .

BOOKS & VIDEOS

Railroad - Railway - Passenger trains - Freight trains - Locomotives - Railroad history

The President Travels by Train

Subtitled: Politics and Pullmans. The fascinating story of railroad travel by presidents of the U.S. from the very earliest period, when John Quincy Adams was the first to ride a train, to Bill Clinton's recent journeys aboard the rails. At one time, the private Pullman car on a special train was for the president what Air Force One is today, allowing him freedom to make important trips, campaign for re-election, and to do the nation's business wherever he was needed. A superbly researched text is supplemented with many rare photographs of the golden age of presidential travel under Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman in the 1930s and '40s. Hdbd., 8 1/4' x 11 1/2', 422 pgs., 403 b&w maps, diagrams & ill.'

$Yet There Isn\'t a Train I Wouldn\'t Take$

Yet There Isn't a Train I Wouldn't Take

Subtitled: Railway Journeys By William D. Middleton. A unique collection of stories about the favorite train journeys of historian and enthusiast Bill Middleton. His journeys have included experiences as diverse as the long journey north through Manitoba to polar bear country on the Hudson Bay; a trip between Costa Rica's Atlantic and Pacific coasts by narrow-gauge railway; a ride to Asia's highest mountain east of the Himalayas on the little trains of Taiwan's Ali Shan Forestry Railway, and more. Ride along for the experience and thrill of a lifetime! Hdbd., 8 3/4'x 11 1/4', 232 pgs., 132 b&w ill.'

Pennsylvania Railroad Passenger Train Consists and Cars

Volume 1: East-West Trains

This book uses the contents of the official 1952 Pennsylvania RR passenger train consist book detailing the make-up of its east-west trains. The author supplements this data with a general introduction about PRR service of the period, and introduces each train with a description of its make-up, service, and cars used.

Color photos illustrate many of the cars used in the era. B&W and Color photos show typical trains. Illustrations of menus and ads complete the book.

About The Author: Harry Stegmaier is a retired professor of history at Frostburg State College, Frostburg, MD.

Classic Railroad Advertising: Riding the Rails Again

Relive the Golden Age of passenger trains in this huge collection of original railroad advertisements. The excitement and sounds of traveling by train comes to life in this beautifull full-color book. Get a view of well-appointed dining and lounging cars while you 'ride the rails' through this historical book.

Hardbound, 8 1/4' x 11', 224 pgs., 212 color ill.'

The American Freight Train

A celebration of the American freight train! The freight train movement began as quickly as the first railroads were laid down. Since then, the freight train has become the backbone of shipping, moving food, automobiles, lumber, and thousands of other commodities. Discover the history of freight trains in America as they evolved from the early 1800s on the East Coast through today. Includes all forms of freight train activity such as types of rolling stock, operations, and much more! Hdbd., 10 x 10, 156 pgs., 50 b&w and 150 color ill.'

North American Railyards

Railroad classification yards are sprawling, multi-acre facilities featuring miles of complex track and sidings where rolling stock is dropped off, sorted, and otherwise switched from train to train before being sent off to its next destination. With the glory days of train passenger service and thus railroad terminals long gone, classification yards have become the focus of modern railroad operations.

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.

Hardcover 8-1/4 x 10-5/8 240 pages 200 color, 50 b/w, 20 diagrams

The American Passenger Train

Before the jetliner connected both coasts in a matter of hours, the train embodied the zenith of passenger travel. This sprawling photographic history rambles though two centuries of passenger trains, presenting a wealth of archival imagery and modern and period color photographs that depicts everything from East Coast steam operations in the 1830s to modern Amtrak and high-speed inter-city services. The variety featured ranges from the swank Santa Fe Super Chief that connected Chicago and Los Angeles to the no-frills, single-car Zephyrette that ran daily between Oakland and Salt Lake City. From the New York Central's famous 20th Century Limited to the Eastern Illinois Railroad 's obscure Meadowlark, the plethora of railroads and regions featured is staggering. And because passenger trains were the most important public relations tool of any railroad, special focus is given to the locomotives, customer service and passenger amenities offered by passenger railway operations. Hdbd., 10 x 10, 156 pgs., 75 b&w and 100 color ill.

20th Century Limited

This authoritative history of the 20th Century Limited from 1902 to its 1967 demise examines the train; its steam, electric, and diesel motive power; and its swank passenger cars, services, and amenities.

The Century was a train of magnates and movie stars, with a red carpet rolled out for departure from Chicago to New York City. With the finest of food in the diner and a full array of amenities - barber, secretary, shower, maid - the 20th Century Limited set the standards against which all other passenger trains would be measured.

This book tells the complete story of this extraordinary train, from its illustrious beginning in the days of opulent wooden cars through its demise in the era of passenger-train cutbacks that lead to the formation of Amtrak.

Hardcover, 8-1/4' x 10-5/8', 156 pp, 90 color, 90 b/w

Over 150 black and white archival images and period color photographs depict the train along its route.

Archival photography features advertisements, dinnerware and menus, route maps, and interior views of cars.

Provides a dramatic visual account of train travel development throughout the century.

In the history of American railroading, no train stands taller than the 20th Century Limited.

About the Author:Karl Zimmerman is the author of 13 previous books, a frequent contributor to TRAINS and Classic Trains magazines, and a contributing editor for The International Railway Traveler. Zimmermann has also written for Travel & Leisure, Railfan and Railroad, Locomotive & Railway Preservation, Passenger Train Journal, and other periodicals, as well as the travel sections of newspapers across North America, including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Toronto Globe and Mail.

Amtrak: Against All Odds

This pictorial history is only the second of its kind to trace the 30-plus-year history of Amtrak, beginning with a look at the rise and fall of privately run passenger train service followed by a look at Amtraks infant stage from 1971 through 1976. Also examined is the period from 1976 to 1991, when Amtrak finally established an image, buying new equipment and refurbished old and grew its ridership despite a severely limited budget. Modern and period color photos illustrate such aspects of Amtrak as its motive power, including the high-speed Acela Express; its diverse array of rolling stock and equipment, famous long-distance trains past and present; short-haul corridors.

Against all odds, the passenger train survives in the United States. The formation of Amtrak in 1971 heralded the end of privately operated passenger train service and ushered in an era of intercity train travel financed on a budget that has vacillated between the virtually non-existent and the barely adequate.

The only extant pictorial history of America's only passenger rail network
Amtrak ridership in 2001 topped 24 million, the highest in its history
Passenger rail travel may be a concept whose time has come in this country, considering the woeful state of the airline industry and the efforts of prominent belt way politicians like Tom Harkin to make Amtrak a viable national passenger railway

About the Author
Brian Solomon has authored several books about railroads and motive power, including MBIs recent Modern Locomotives and GE Locomotives. His writing and photography have been featured in the worlds most prominent railfan publications, including TRAINS and RailNews. He splits his time between Monson, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland.
Hardcover 8-1/4 x 10-5/8 160 pp 150 color'

The New Haven Railroad In the Streamline Era

High quality color photographs illustrate the history of the New Haven Railroad's passenger operations in the era of the streamlined train beginning in 1934 with its first lightweight car order through to the railroad's experimentation with the ultra-lightweight trains of the mid-1950s and into the troubled 1960s. Filled with historical background information and photographs that illustrate New Haven paint schemes on cars and locomotives. Stations and other passenger operations are also recorded. Hdbd., 8 1/2'x 11', 120 pgs., 50 b&w ill., 140 color.'

Toy Train Memories

Recapture Christmases past and the toy trains that made them magical. Covers the history of toy trains association with Christmas, from unforgettable store window displays and showroom layouts, to finding that perfect toy train under the Christmas tree. Classic Toy Trains writers contribute nostalgic holiday photographs form the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.Hardcover, 10-1/4 x 10-1/4, 160 pp, 120 color, 42 b/w

Passenger Trains of Northern New England - 1935-1966

This much-anticipated book documents the inter-city passenger train operations, history, and equipment of northern New England, including the Boston & Maine, Maine Central, Bangor & Aroostook, Central Vermont, and Grand Trunk railroads.

Over 200 black-and-white and color illustrations, along with equipment diagrams, maps, and timetables, help to bring the story of this vibrant era alive. A wonderful volume for those interested in railroad history and modeling.

Hardbound, 8 1/2' x 11', 144 pgs., 200 b&w and color ill.'

$Lionel: America\'s Favorite Toy Trains$

Lionel: America's Favorite Toy Trains

In December 1900, a young inventor named Joshua Lionel Cowen devised a battery-powered train intended to help Manhattan toy-shop owners dress up their window displays. When the shops' customers began ordering the trains for themselves, Cowen launched Lionel Manufacturing Company. Beginning with those turn-of-the-century 'cigar boxes on wheels,' this colorful large-format history follows the world's most famous toy trains as they survive the Great Depression, bask in the height of their popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, weather several changes of ownership in the 1970s and 1980s, and celebrate their 100th anniversary at the end of the 1990s. The trains are richly illustrated with specially commissioned color studio photography, archival black-and-white images, and classic print ads. Also discussed are the business and marketing decisions, electrical innovations, and accessories upon which Lionel built its following. A definitive history for Lionel enthusiasts, railfans, and nostalgia buffs. Hdbd., 10 x 10, 160 pgs., 50 b&w and 150 color ill. '

Western Pacific Locomotives & Cars, V2

A second volume in Dorin's series on the Western Pacific, this book takes a closer look at passenger and freight train operations, including the locomotives and cars. Offers a historical review of WP and its subsidiaries, traffic handled by WP, and data on patterns and seasonal trends. A variety of maps, timetables and schedules set both passenger and freight trains in context. There are many photos featuring steam and diesel locomotives and freight trains. The book portrays the feel and positive, customer-oriented attitude of WP in fulfilling passenger and shipping needs.Hardcover 8-1/2 x 11 112 pp 200 b/w

History of the locomotives