American Railroads

Engineering & Transportation

Stover,John f

Transportation

The University of Chicago Press

Traces the history of the railroads from its invention and describes its role in the Civil War and how it shaped America

Univ. of Chicago

American Railroads (The Chicago History of American Civilization)

Few scenes capture the American experience so eloquently as that of a lonely train chugging across the vastness of the Great Plains, or snaking through tortuous high mountain passes. Although this vision was eclipsed for a time by the rise of air travel and trucking, railroads have enjoyed a rebirth in recent years as profitable freight carriers. A fascinating account of the rise, decline, and rebirth of railroads in the United States, John F. Stover's American Railroads traces their history from the first lines that helped eastern seaports capture western markets to today's newly revitalized industry. Stover describes the growth of the railroads' monopoly, with the consequent need for state and federal regulations; relates the vital part played by the railroads during the Civil War and the two World Wars; and charts the railroads' decline due to the advent of air travel and trucking during the 1950s. In two new chapters, Stover recounts the remarkable recovery of the railroads, along with other pivotal events of the industry's recent history. During the 1960s declining passenger traffic and excessive federal regulation led to the federally-financed creation of Amtrak to revive passenger service and Conrail to provide freight service on bankrupt northeastern railroads. The real savior for the railroads, though, proved to be the Staggers Rail Act of 1980, which brought prosperity to rail freight carriers by substantially deregulating the industry. By 1995, renewed railroad freight traffic had reached nearly twice its former peak in 1944. Bringing both a seasoned eye and new insights to bear on one of the most American of industries, Stover has produced the definitive history of railroads in the United States.

History

Americas

University of Chicago Press

Iron Road to the West (Cloth)

Columbia University Press

The Railroads of the South, 1865-1900: A Study in Finance and Control

The University of North Carolina Press

Author of six earlier books about United States railroads, John F. Stover packs this narrative history with careful scholarship and colorful description which will appeal to the railroad buff and the professional historian, as well as to any reader who wishes to travel with the "Mother of Railroads" through an exciting period in United States history.

History of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad

Purdue Univ Pr

The Life and Declineof the American Railroad

Oxford University Press

In the struggle for power from which emerged the modern railroad network, the southern railroads, which had originally been locally financed, came largely under the influence or control of northern financiers and institutions. The focus of this book is on that aspect of southern railroad development, but in a larger sense it is the story of the creation of one of the most important components of the New South. Originally published in 1955. A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which journalist Lucius Beebe once called the “Mother of Railroads,” was the brainchild of Baltimore city planners who hoped to outstrip New York in the race for western trade, wealth, and populace. Although Baltimore lost the race, it gave New York a run for its money early in the 19th century and certainly achieved many firsts: the first timetable in 1830, the first eight-wheel passenger coach in 1831, and right-of-way for the first telegraph in 1844. In later decades, it would be a pioneer in the introduction of electric locomotives, diesels, and air conditioning. Author of six earlier books about United States railroads, John F. Stover packs this narrative history with careful scholarship and colorful description which will appeal to the railroad buff and the professional historian, as well as to any reader who wishes to travel with the "Mother of Railroads" through an exciting period in United States history.

Purdue University Press

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