Description
Book SynopsisBuilt with the idea of attracting short-distance passenger traffic and light freight, American electric interurbans were largely constructed in the early 1900s. This work examines the history of the interurban industry.
Trade Review"A first-rate work of such detail yet discernment that it might well serve as a model for all corporate biographies."—
Trains"Rarely has the story of an entire industry been told with such thoroughness, objectivity, and meticulous care. ... Few economic, social, and business historians can afford to miss this definitive history."—
Mississippi Valley Historical Review"Superlative."—
Bulletin of the National Railway Historical Society"Scholarly and interesting ... strengthened by a lovingly amassed and beautifully reproduced collection of photographs."—
The Nation"Fine scholarship. ... The almost perfect book of its kind, a book that no railfan can live without."—
Richmond Times-Dispatch"All seekers after nostalgia will be interested in this encyclopedic volume on the days when the clang, clang of the trolley was the most exciting travel sound the suburbs knew."—
Harper's Magazine"A fascinating and instructive chapter in the history of American transportation."—
Journal of Economic HistoryTable of ContentsPart I. The Industry: 1. The rise of the induatry; 2. The technology of the interurbans; 3. Passenger traffic; 4. Freight traffic; 5. The interurbans and government regulations; 6. Finance; 7. The decline of the industry; 8. The decision to abandon; Part II. The Individual Interurbans: Principal interurban car builders; Notes; Bibliography; Index.
