Trains & Railroads
Showing 241–271 of 271 results
The Thunder of Their Passing: A Tribute to the Denver & Rio Grande’s Narrow Gauge and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Featuring nearly 500 outstanding color and black and white photographs, illustrations, and reproductions. Complete with detailed text, bibliography, and index. Robert Turner's beautiful and moving tribute to the Rio Grande's narrow gauge and the Cumbres & Toltec is his 14th book on western transportation history. A historian and photographer with an extensive professional background in museums, historic sites, and heritage restoration projects, he has been fascinated by the narrow gauge railroads of Colorado and New Mexico for more than 35 years. His many awards include the American Association for State and Local History's Award of Merit for the excellence of his books. His photographs and articles have appeared in a wide range of books, magazines, and exhibits. This stunning volume chronicles the story of one of the finest preserved steam railroads in North America, from its origins as the Denver & Rio Grande's San Juan Extension in the 1880s silver mining boom, to its present-day operations as the spectacular Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. The book spans more than 125 years of railroading in the beautiful aspen-covered high country of Colorado and New Mexico. The Thunder of Their Passing presents an insightful portrait of one of the last great steam railroads in America. Included are reminiscences of those who knew the railroad as employees, travelers, and residents. The meticulously researched text explores the history of the railroad, its impact on the region, the circumstances and struggles that led to its long life and eventual preservation, and the unique qualities that have endeared it to so many people. Winter operations, stock trains, snowplows, the classic San Juan passenger train, locomotives and special equipment, and the day-to-day operations of an old and sometimes cantankerous railroad all feature in this enduring tribute. The book's breathtaking gallery of photographs features work of some of the finest photographers to visit narrow gauge country. Included are photos by such masters as William Henry Jackson, Richard Kindig, Jim Shaughnessy, Richard Steinheimer, John Gruber, Steve Patterson, and many others. This is the story of a fascinating railroad that has captured the imagination of travelers for well over a century.
Sale!
not rated
Original price was: $31.00.$14.99Current price is: $14.99.
Add to cart
To the Edge of the World
To the Edge of the World is an adventure in travel--full of extraordinary personalities, more than a century of explosive political, economic, and cultural events, and almost inconceivable feats of engineering. Christian Wolmar passionately recounts the improbable origins of the Trans-Siberian railroad, the vital artery for Russian expansion that spans almost 6,000 miles and seven time zones from Moscow to Vladivostok. The world's longest train route took a decade to build--in the face of punishing climates, rampant disease, scarcity of funds and materials, and widespread corruption. The line sprawls over a treacherous landmass that was previously populated only by disparate tribes and convicts serving out their terms in labor camps--where men were regularly starved, tortured, or mutilated for minor offenses. Once built, it led to the establishment of new cities and transformed the region's history. Exceeding all expectations, it became, according to Wolmar, "the best thing that ever happened to Siberia." It was not all good news, however.
The railroad was the cause of the 1904--1905 Russo-Japanese War, and played a vital--and at times bloody--role in the Russian Revolution and the subsequent Civil War. More positively, the Russians were able to resist the Nazi invasion during the Second World War as new routes enabled whole industries to be sent east. Siberia, previously a lost and distant region, became an inextricable part of Russia's cultural identity. And what began as one meandering, single-track line is now, arguably, the world's most important railroad.
Sale!
not rated
Original price was: $24.95.$5.00Current price is: $5.00.
Add to cart
Tourist Trains 2004: Empire State Railway Museum’s Guide to Tourist Railroads and Museums
Who doesn't love the sound of a steam whistle, the clickety-clack of wheels over a rail joint, or the smell of smoke from a steam engine? Now anyone can relive North America's railroading past with Tourist Trains 2004. Photographs, lists of locomotives, ticket prices, directions, and even trip times are included in this guide to more than 400 preserved and restored railroads and train museums. Conveniently arranged alphabetically by state or province, this resource is perfect for anyone who wants to experience railroading the way it used to be!
Tracking Down Steam: A Personal Journey Through the Final Days of Steam
This book is a compilation of the author's personal experiences in the sixties and features hundreds of previously unpublished colour and black & white photos of BR steam locos. Peter Nicholson sought out BR locos wherever they could be seen starting from the usual spotters' locations on station platforms, progressing to engine shed visits and railway workshops, then on railtours and haunts away from the national networks such as the Isle of Wight and looking for former main line locos after disposal by BR in museums, on the first preserved lines, in industrial service, and awaiting their fate in scrapyards. The quest culminated in the last days of scheduled BR steam in August 1968. All photos, black & white and colour, were taken in the period up to the final day 11 August 1968. In the author's case though, that last day was not on the lineside of the Settle & Carlisle with everyone else for the final special (a week after the end of regular scheduled steam services), but in the less-publicised private yard of Corals coal merchants, Southampton Docks, where an old London & South Western Railway dock tank was still at work! The subject is strictly main line steam locos - those owned or formerly owned by British Railways or its constituent companies, the Big Four (GWR, SR, LMS and LNER) and their predecessors. Surprisingly, perhaps, no other book has looked at BR steam locos in their differing environments as this would do.
Train Depots and Roundhouses
Remarkable photography provides a sweeping look at train depots and roundhouses from around the nation, focusing on the elegance and variety of styles witnessed across different regions.
Trains of the Circus: 1872-1956
Come one! Come all! Beginning in the 1870s, specially built trains transported the circus to eager crowds across the US. Now the magic of these circus trains is captured for all to enjoy in the delightful book. Rare behind-the-scenes photographs display the exciting and unusual construction and operation of circus trains. Witness animals being loaded and unloaded. Experience life inside the coaches that housed circus personnel. See flamboyant paint schemes, special length railroad cars, and rare builders' photos. Exciting rail scenes sure to excite the imagination!
Travel by Pullman: A Century of Service 1865-1969
Every evening for much of the twentieth century, 50,000 or more travelers snuggled under crisp Pullman linens, falling asleep in one state and awaking in another. This nostalgic look back at what was essentially a rolling hotel company contracted by the nation's railroads to provide guest accommodations, covers every aspect of Pullman operations, from the emerging popularity of steam-powered rail travel in the early twentieth century to its diesel-powered zenith and its eventual nadir in the 1950s and 1960s. Pullman's entire complex network of employees and services is featured, from the ticket offices that manually handled millions of reservations each year to the six car shops spread across the nation to perform heavy maintenance and repairs, and all of Pullman's porters, mechanics, cleaners, electricians, cooks, barbers, shoeshiners, and more. Illustrated with both black-and-white and color period views depicting Pullman interiors and facilities, as well as memorabilia and sales literature.
Trouble on the Tracks: Grand Trunk Railway of New England Tragedies
In the 1850s, Grand Trunk Railway, later Canadian National, was one of New Englands and Canadas most important and heavily travelled railway lines. It linked Canadas metropolis, Montreal through Vermont and New Hampshire with the nearest ice-free port at Portland, Maine. Despite constant upgrading, accidents did occur, some of them catastrophic. With details about four dozen such tragedies, youll learn what happened when people, vehicles, or nature decided to duel with a fully-loaded train. Discover the circumstances when a cattle train hit a mudslide
a passenger train toppled over the bank... two locomotives met in heavy fog that made it impossible to see
two trains, one fully-loaded with immigrants, came towards each other on ONE track!
the West Paris Bridge collapsed
two double-headed freight trains collided head-on
a train hit fuel tanker truck, with ensuing explosion and fire
a derailment toppled a chlorine tank car off a bridge onto the highway below. 196 pages, over 200 photographs, (5 colour), 16 maps and diagrams to show where the accidents occurred.
Author Jeff Holt has covered four dozen New England tragedies on the Grand Trunk (later Canadian National) railway line, providing interesting anecdotes, myriad photos, and helpful maps with explanatory diagrams to assist readers in understanding the context of each situation. Dramatic and graphic photos, some in colour, help draw the reader into each of the stories. People will want to pick up the book, to see details of how their community, or their railway line, was affected. Others will want to see how their friends, their families, their fellow railroaders, or their favourite railway, was impacted.
U-Boats: General Electric’s Diesel Locomotives
General Electric's legendary domestic U-series line put GE on the road to becoming the largest locomotive builder in North America. This marvelous book features the work of more than 50 top photographers and pays homage to the bold dreams of the GE designers and workers who brought to life the locomotives today known as U-boats.
Ultimate Train
This ultimate guide to the locomotive from Stephenson's Rocket to the Magalev describes the history of railways celebrating the great diversity of design and engineering over 200 years of train travel. It features urban, industrial, freight and military trains and shows examples of electric, steam and diesel locomotives with driver's eye-views, performance statistics and a profile of the key figures who have changed the face of train travel around the world.
Union Pacific Railroad: Passenger Trains of the City Fleet
On February 12, 1934, Union Pacific premiered the M-10000, the first lightweight, streamlined passenger train, calling it "Tomorrow's Train Today." The tiny brown-and-yellow speedster offered hope and promise for America's future during the Great Depression. Later renamed City of Salina, the train was the beginning of Union Pacific's City Fleet of streamliners including the City of Los Angeles, City of San Francisco, City of Portland, City of Denver and Challenger, departing from Chicago and serving all the West. Union Pacific system map, timetables, travel brochures, and advertising are featured.
Union Pacific: Salt Lake Route
This story of Union Pacific's Salt Lake Route contains information never before published in a railroad history. Illustrated with color photographs taken between 1948 and 1994.
Via Rail
Go VIA Rail and see Canada: Here is Canadas national railway, covering 14,000 kilometers of track from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Great Lakes to Hudson Bay. This illustrated history tells the story of how, starting in the early 1970s, VIA Rail became a separate Crown corporation, once and for all relieving the old Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways of their beleaguered passenger operations. It is a story rich in historyand marked with failures and misfortunes right up to our day, when a need for convenient, fuel-efficient mass transportation holds out hope for a renaissance.
Archival and modern photography, route maps, and print ads help detail the history of VIA Rails motive power and passenger cars from the likes of General Motors, Bombardier, Montreal Locomotive Works, and Budd Company, as well such passenger trains as The Canadian, The Atlantic, The Ocean, and The Super Continental. Chris Greenlaw also explains all of the political machinations that have inevitably shaped the railroad, and delves into its connection with Amtrak via The Maple Leaf.
Vintage Diesel Locomotives
Diesel-electric locomotives from the mid-1930s to the late 1960's are brought vividly to life! This full-color gallery showcases all the great locomotives from GM, GE, and Alco. Spotlighted are Electro-Motive's famous E- and F-units, and GP-series "Geeps", DL, PA, FA, and RS diesels from American Locomotive Company, and Baldwin's "babyface" and "sharknose" locomotives. Plus Fairbanks-Morse switchers, passenger diesels, freight locomotives, and more.
Washington State Railroad Depots Photo Archive
This book is a photographic record of railroad depots in Washington State. The photographs have been selected to illustrate variations in size, architectural style and commonality as dictated by the railroad companies. In addition, the book presents for the first time a comprehensive data summary of all known depots in Washington State; size, construction date and materials used are listed. Significant changes, rebuilding and replacement are addressed. Major railroads that operated within the stateNorthern Pacific, Great Northern, Union Pacific and Milwaukee Roadare included in the book along with predecessors, successors and subsidiaries. Compilation of the data from surviving records involved extensive travel and research. Data sources include state archives, historical museums, railroad museums and national archive collections. The book will doubtless be of interest to architectural, railroad and urban historians as well as railway enthusiasts. Residents of Washington State can verify if an when a depot formerly existed in their locality.
West of the Great Divide: The Canadian Pacific Railway’s First Century in British Columbia
Updated edition. A complete and detailed history of the CPR in B.C., from the glorious days of huge steam locomotives and elegant dining, to the luxurious Canadian and modern diesels hauling coal and containers. Included are the personal stories of the men who built this railway, and the enormous construction problems, hazards, frustrations, tragedies and engineering triumphs. Detailed accounts of day-to-day operations, endless battles with winter snows and mountain grades. The steam era of the 1920s to 1950s receives particular attention. Over 400 dramatic vintage photos capture the CPR's first century in British Columbia. Winner of the Canadian Railroad Historical Association's Award.
West Virginia’s Last Logging Railroad: Meadow River Lumber Company
Complete history of West Virginia's largest logging railroad which was also its last, operating 1912-1972. It operated Shay, Heisler, and Climax geared steam locomotives and in the last 15 years also had diesels. The book covers the locomotives in detail, the cars and the operations as well as background on the company and its owners, the Raine family. Photos show all aspects of the operation and the people involved. Meadow River was at one time the largest producer of hardwood lumber in the world. Some of its equipment has survived to operate on tourist lines.
When Any Time was Train Time
There was a time when residents of Ontario communities listened eagerly for the locomotive's whistle, when travellers and train watchers stood on boarding platforms of vital railway stations and thrilled to the sight of steam, when passenger trains and mixed freights warmed the rails at all hours, when any time was train time.
The grand old days of the steam locomotive once seemed as permanent as anything could be. The bricklayers and stonemasons who built many of the stations in this book believed their work would last forever. Sadly, few of the original stations remain and the sound of the steam whistle is now a cherished memory.
William C. Van Horne: Railway Titan
William C. Van Horne was one of North America's most accomplished men. Born in Illinois in 1843, Van Horne started working in the railway business at a young age. In 1881 he was lured north to Canada to become general manager of the fledgling Canadian Pacific Railway. The railroading general pushed through construction of the CPR's transcontinental line and then went on to become the company's president. During his time with the CPR, Van Horne developed a telegraph service, launched the Empress line of Pacific steamships in 1891, and founded CP Hotels. He capped his career by opening up Cuba's interior with a railway.
A man of prodigious energy and many talents, he also became Canada's foremost art collector and one of the country"s leading financiers. For all of his amazing accomplishments, Van Horne was knighted in 1894. When he died church bells throughout the length and breadth of Cuba tolled to mark his passing, and when his funeral train made its way across Canada, all traffic on the CPR system was suspended for five minutes.
Yesterday’s Railways: Recollections of an Age of Steam and the Golden Age of Railways
This work recalls an era when a train journey remained an adventure, and when the steam locomotives that made the journey possible were a source of awe and fascination. It includes a comprehensive history of Britain's railways from the groundbreaking years of the 1900s to the day in August 1968 that the fires were put out for the last time. Our railway system has always been viewed with a mixture of affection, amusement and exasperation. Yet there were periods in the 20th century when the railways were a source of pride and excitement. Many still recall when the train was their principal means of travel, whether to school or work, to visit friends and relatives, or to go on holiday. And it wasn't just people that went by rail; so did the coal that heated homes, the food that filled them and the bricks that built them. They also served the great ports, conveying everything from thousand-ton loads of iron to baskets of racing pigeons.