Description
Book SynopsisDeals with the growth and development of urban rail transit systems in North America. This volume traces the history of rail transit technology from such impractical early schemes as a proposed steam-powered "arcade railway" under New York's Broadway through the sophisticated systems.
Trade ReviewMiddleton, a transportation historian, has written the definitive history of urban rail systems in North America. Although it looks like a coffee—table book, it is much, much more. There are long narrative chapters, short biographical sketches of major figures in the history of urban rail development, a set of appendixes devoted to rolling stock and track used in the various systems, and maps of all the current urban rail systems in North America. Middleton's survey begins with the horse—drawn street railways of New York and the various proposals floated throughout the early 19th century for inanimate sources of power for transit systems. He then describes and analyzes the development of elevated systems, subways, and finally the integrated systems that existed in most major US cities in the mid, 20th century. Latter chapters deal with how new heavy—rail systems were developed in the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington, DC, and other areas, while new light—rail systems were developed in Portland, Oregon, St. Louis, and other medium—sized cities. The major flaw of the book is that Middleton says very little about the decline and outright destruction of many urban rail systems since 1945. This reviewer hopes that this is the subject of his next book. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All collections.
-- L. D. Johnston * Choice *
Middleton, a transportation historian, has written the definitive history of urban rail systems in North America. . . . Highly recommended. June 2003
* Choice *
Table of ContentsPreliminary Table of Contents:
Preface
1. THE QUEST FOR RAPID TRANSIT
2. THE ERA OF THE ELEVATED
3. RAPID TRANSIT GOES UNDERGROUND
4. RAPID TRANSIT AT MID-CENTURY: NEW SYSTEMS AND A NEW ERA
5. NEW METRO TECHNOLOGIES
6. LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT: NEW LIFE FOR AN OLD TECHNOLOGY
7. CONVEYANCES FOR THE MULTITUDES
8. A METROPOLITAN RAILWAYS RENAISSANCE
APPENDIX A: THE TECHNOLOGY OF RAIL TRANSIT
APPENDIX B: NORTH AMERICAN METRO AND LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT
Index
