Description
Book SynopsisIntroductory text and concise history of the railroads in North America. Briefly covers virtually every conceivable aspect of railroading from "Hand, Flag and Lantern Signals" to the impact of NAFTA, and the electrification of the northeast corridor.
Trade Review"The best current railroad history available ... everything you need to know ... both educational and enjoyable reading." --Dean Bruce, President, Railroad Education Training Association "Trains Across the Continent truly is a comprehensive account of how railroads helped shpae and are continuing to shape the history of North America." --Jonathan B. Hanna, Historian, Canadian Pacific Railway "Quickly and concisely Dr. Daniels leads you through the maze of building, merging, and a myriad of other details necessary to understand modern railroading." --Donald D. Snoddy, Historian, Union Pacific Railroad Praise for the first edition: "Despite the broad scope of the topic, Daniels manages to make brief mention of all major points of North American railroad history chronologically; from the workings of a steam locomotive to the dawn of the railroad mega-merger, nearly every conceivable aspect of railroading receives attention... This volume is a must for those wishing to broaden or hone their knowledge of the birth and evolution of the railroad industry in North America over the last 175 years." --Chris Goepel (review for Rail News, April 1999) "Nothing but positive comments about it from faculty and students alike... The industry bible in this area." --Phillip B. Cypret, Sacramento City College
Table of ContentsFor the new edition:
Section 1. The Beginnings - Historical Survey
Chapter 1. The Industrial Revolution and the First Railroads
Chapter 2. Lions, Thumbs and Best Friends
Section 2. Railroad Fever - Historical Survey
Chapter 3. Run on to Goshen
Chapter 4. North vs. South: The First Railroad War
Section 3. The Glory Years - Historical Survey
Chapter 5. Harnessing the Elephant
Chapter 6. The Work Has Been Done Well in Every Way
Chapter 7. The Pullman Company
Chapter 8. Glory Years Technology
Chapter 9. Railroad Financing
Chapter 10. Perfecting the Network
Chapter 11. Locomotive Evolution and the Creation of a Railroad Culture
Chapter 12. Government Intervention
Section 4. The Golden Years - Historical Survey
Chapter 13. "The Public Be Blessed . . . "
Chapter 14. The Lifeline of the Nation
Section 5. Modern Times - Historical Survey
Chapter 15. Twilight of the Railroad Era
Chapter 16. Trains Today
Chapter 17. Conclusion
Epilogue
Appendices
A. Chronological Table
B. Railroad Historical Slang Terms
C. "The Armchair Conductor": Railroad Movies
Available on VHS
D. Reporting Marks and Railroad Companies Recognized by the AAR
Bibliography
Index
Maps (to be revised):
1850
U.S. Civil War
U.S. Resources
1886 Railroads
1918 Canadian National Predecessors
1935 Railroads
Current Major Railroads
