Description
Book Synopsis“The North can make a steam engine, locomotive, or railway car [...] You are rushing into war with one of the most powerful, ingeniously mechanical, and determined people on Earth — right at your doors.”
~ William Tecumseh Sherman, 1860
The military use of railways derives from their ability to move troops or materiel rapidly and, less commonly, on their use as a platform for military systems (like armoured trains and heavy artillery). Until recently, the mobility of large armies generally depended on control of railways to move reinforcements, ammunition and food, as the locomotive and railway cars proved far superior to animal-drawn equipment.
In Rails to the Front, historians Augustus J. Veenendaal and H. Roger Grant capture the critical impact of railways in an abundance of conflicts worldwide, from the German revolutions in the 1840s to the Gulf War in the 1990s. This lavishly illustrated, careful study is the first of its kind in English.
Trade ReviewI thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a fine addition to my collection and has shone a spotlight into a crucial aspect of military history that I should have paid better attention to in the past. * Classic Military Vehicle Magazine *
This terrific book celebrates the most important innovation in the history of mankind - the railways, which took over as the main means of transport all over the world from the beginning of the Victorian era. And the impact it had was influential almost immediately in the various conflicts, although it really came into its own in the early years of the first World War. Amazing photos, an amazing slice of social history combine to make this a genuine enthusiast's delight. * Books Monthly *
As modellers, we have arguably become accustomed to concentrating on ever finer details, perhaps at the expense of considering the broader picture: this book certainly counters that tendence and puts railways in a wider context. * Continental Modeller *
This rather excellent publication covers the use of railways from its inception for military purposes...Both armoured trains and rail artillery receive coverage, with some interesting photos. This book is worth the price for the artwork alone. * Scale Military Modelling International Magazine *
This book is an excellent value for the money. It fulfills its broad purpose of presenting the role of railways in warfare and provides an excellent launching platform for those wishing to know more about detailed individual circumstances. * Railroad History *
This is an authoritative work, engagingly written, attractively designed, and given its nice price, easily recommendable as the go-to work in its field. * The Lexington Quarterly *
