Hello all,
I''m new to the world of trains and I'm looking for two good book recommendations. Specifically, I've tried reading Trains but have a hard time following all the detail; is there a really good introductory book just about how trains work, that has information like, e.g. this is why tracks are constructed the way they are, this is who owns and builds them and how, this is why locomotives are designed as they are and how, how intermodal works, etc. I'm an engineer so technical is good. I'm looking for a good overview, something that isn't an 8 volume encyclopedia but also isn't My First Book of Big Trains or something like that.
Also, is there a good book on high speed trains in particular? Something about on the level of the fast trains special issue Trains had about two years ago without being outrageously out of date or primarily a political argument for or against it, but like above, just something overviewing the technology and status of it?
Thanks!
What you want to read depends on where you live, what you are familiar with, what you are not familiar with, what interests you and what doesn't interest you. Is it a particular railroad or railroads? Local? Not local? HIstorical and history? Contemporary? Technical? Motive Power? Passenger? Freight? Other? Lots to choose from. So, best and easiest bet is to go to your library and look at what is available, see what piques your interest, what catches your eye or your imagination. Or methodically read them all. As for one single, broad based comprehensive book on railroads and trains, it is really tough because, in my opinion, there hasn't been a sensational book since Oliver Jenson's 1975 American Heritage publishing of Railroads of America. So, again, I really think your best bet is to go to your library and feast on what is there and see where it leads...
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Sounds like you need to look at the late John Armstrong's The Railroad: What it is, what it does. Published by Simmons-Boardman; I think it's about on its fifth edition. Look at that, then come back and ask about any unanswered questions ...it's that good.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
CShaveRR Sounds like you need to look at the late John Armstrong's The Railroad: What it is, what it does. Published by Simmons-Boardman; I think it's about on its fifth edition. Look at that, then come back and ask about any unanswered questions ...it's that good.
I second this nomination. Many questions asked in these forums are covered in this bible.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
First:
"+1" to Carl's post above - Here are some more specifics, from:
http://www.transalert.com/cgi-bin/details.cgi?inv=BKRRNN&cat=18
The Railroad: What It Is, What It Does - 5th Edition by John H. Armstrong - $44.95 list price
Publication Info: 406 pages (2008) Simmons-Boardman Books, Inc.; ISBN: 978-0-911382-58-7; Dimensions (in inches): 6x9Description: The fifth edition of The Railroad: What It Is, What it Does is even more valuable than before. Inside you'll find a comprehensive look at how today's railroads function-from equipment to procedures and marketing to maintenance. Additional Information: This book is ideal for novices and experts alike. The easy-to-read narrative presents a brief history of railroading from the coal-fed "iron horses" that helped build a nation to the latest generation of EPA-compliant locomotives. You'll also find current information on new technologies such as ECP brakes and computer-assisted transportation systems. The fifth edition is an indispensable resource for anyone wanting to learn about modern day railroads. The book delves into many facets of the railroad industry including such topics as freight cars, locomotives, track, signal and communication technology, intermodal traffic, operations, labor relations, and design engineering. Softcover.
Consider also:
All About Railroading - Second Edition by William C. Vantuono - - $33.95 list price [He is or was the engineering-subject author/ editor for trade publication magazine Railway Age]
http://www.transalert.com/cgi-bin/details.cgi?inv=BKAARR&cat=32
Publication Info: 112 pages (2006) Simmons-Boardman Books, Inc.; ISBN: 0911382496; Dimensions (in inches): 11 x 8.5Description: All About Railroading-Second Edition is the book for new hires and young adults who want to learn the basics of today's fascinating, high-tech railway industry.Additional Information: Newly revised and expanded from the original edition, All About Railroading presents-in 112 beautifully illustrated pages containing nearly 200 color photographs and diagrams-every aspect of the North American railway industry: freight operations, freight locomotives, freight cars, intercity and commuter rail, light rail, rapid transit, engineering, and signaling & communications. Plus, there's a glossary of railroad terms and an information resource directory listing dozens of websites.With thousands of new people expected to join the railway industry over the next few years, this book is designed to provide them with the information they need! Softcover.
On your second question regarding High Speed Rail - I don't know of any specific technical books off-hand. An aggregation of professional technical papers from AREMA, AAR, ASCE, ASME, IEEE, etc. may be the best substitute. Or, Amtrak's and CalTrains' HSR websites may be a good starting place:
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1251622052239
Then the "DOWNLOAD" link at: http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Content_C&pagename=am/AM_Content_C/Simple_Copy_Popup&cid=1251622052244
http://www.hsr.ca.gov/Programs/Construction/index.html
Especially such as the 2019 (?) electrification technical reports:
http://www.caltrain.com/projectsplans/CaltrainModernization/Modernization/PeninsulaCorridorElectrificationProject.html
Look at websites for some other "progressive" states that are supporting HSR, such as Illinois, North Carolina, Virginia, etc.
- Paul North.
Paul, Bill Vantuono is the editor (period!) of Railway Age. I met him once, after becoming part of the reason that the second edition is more accurate than the first.I agree that it's a good book, but it might be a bit beneath the O.P., with his engineering credentials. I gave a copy (first edition) to Mookie once.
The other posters have made some excellent suggestions. The only negative I have is your local library may not have much on the subject of railroading, so you may have to go farther afield.
At the top of the screen there's a heading called "Resources", click on that and go to "Coming Events" then check for any train shows that may be coming to your area. Takes some looking but sometimes you can find real gold at those shows.
www.railroadbooks.biz is a pretty good source as well, I've seen him at several shows in the past.
PS: Captain Koloth, did you ever get the tribbles out of your engineering compartments?
CShaveRR I agree that it's a good book, but it might be a bit beneath the O.P., with his engineering credentials. I gave a copy (first edition) to Mookie once.
I agree that it's a good book, but it might be a bit beneath the O.P., with his engineering credentials. I gave a copy (first edition) to Mookie once.
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
CaptainKoloth, have you checked out Al Krug's website? It's full of good information about railroading.
http://www.alkrug.vcn.com/home.html
Thanks for all the great suggestions. This is exactly what I was looking for. Any other ideas or sources I might want to take a look at? Railroad: What it Is, What it Does looks perfect and I placed an order for a copy (my library doesn't seem to have one).
I did get the tribbles out, eventually. It was no tribble at all.
"ABC's OF RAILROADING" and the other "RAILROAD REFERENCE" webpages here on the Trains.com website:
http://trn.trains.com/home/railroad%20reference/abcs%20of%20railroading.aspx
http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference.aspx
Do we know what tribe the Capt. is of?
Star Trek....
Don't suppose that is a tribe?
Mookie Star Trek.... Don't suppose that is a tribe?
No, but the Federation of Planets is...
Ok, geek mode off.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
I like Railroads Triumphant by Albro Martin. It is widely available. If you want to get a sense of it there are several reviews on Amazon.
Railroads: Their Origins and Problems by Charles Francis Adams is dated but it is a classic. It is also available free on the internet. You can read it directly or print it out.
If you have any interest in the political and financial considerations (as opposed to technical issues) you might want to dip into Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America by Richard A. White. Professional reviewers praise the book. Railroad fans are divided; they either love it or hate it. Again, Amazon has over 20 reviews to give you and idea of it. White believes the American transcontinentals were a mistake and should not have been built when they were and should not have had government financing. He meticulously documents his beliefs in over a hundred pages of footnotes.
I don't believe there is any one book that even begins to cover the topic sufficiently. If you're interested enough you can spend a lifetime learning about how the US and Canada saw the development of the safest, most cost efficient, and extensive rail network in the world. It's fascinating.
I'll suggest five very good books and one website as a start.
The website is from the World Bank and it's surprisingly good. It's like Railroading 101. It does not focus on North America, but deals with railroads worldwide. Unlike the situation in North America, many national rail systems are hidebound government bureaucracies that diminish their nation's wealth instead of increasing it. The bank would like to change that.
.http://www.ppiaf.org/sites/ppiaf.org/files/documents/toolkits/railways_toolkit/introductionandrailwaybasics.html
The five starter books are:
1) "The North American Railroad" by James E. Vance Jr. Vance focuses on the role of the railroads in the development of North America, the selection of routes, financing, and importantly, on why North American rail technology had a rapid and profound divergence from European rail technology.
2) The Chicago & Alton Railroad by Gene V. Glendinning. I recommend this book for one particular chapter. The chapter deals with the literal impossibility of moving people and goods around in the state of Illinois before railroads were built. Despite Chicago, Illinois is mostly farmland. Very good farmland that year after year grows abundant crops to provide food. It was of little use until you could get the crops to the people. Glendinning well defines the problem the railroads solved.
3 & 4) Books by George W. Hilton. "The Electric Interurban Railways in America" (written with John F. Due) and "American Narrow Gauge Railroads". The electric interurbans and narrow gauges were largely failures. But you can learn a lot from a failure. Hilton is a PhD economist and he goes to the "Why" of things. Why did these concepts seem like a good plan, how were they implemented and built, what technology did they use, and, most importantly, why did they fail. It is important to know what does not work.
5) "Sunset Limited" by Richard Orsi. (Another PhD) This is a book about a railroad, the Central Pacific/Southern Pacific. But it's not about trains. It's about how they got the railroad built and how they were key to the development of California and the west. The "Big Four", the men who were in charge, did great things that improved the lives of millions of people. They became very rich doing so, but so what?
Finally, you obviously should read a variety of authors, with different viewpoints, and draw your own conclusions. But beware of authors with agendas. A previous poster mentioned a book by Richard A. White. White is a history professor at Stanford with a passion for Native Americans and, apparently, animal rights. The railroads did hasten the European settlement of North American which did produce often violent conflicts with the Indians. In the 200 years from the first English settlement in North America the Europeans had made it to an outpost at what is now Chicago. When the War of 1812 started the outpost was untenable and the 79 US soldiers (and 10 settlers acting as militia) tried to evacuate east. They were basically killed by 500 Potawatomi.
In the 100 years following the battle/massacre (it's definition depends on your viewpoint), the US people settled the west. Railroads played a large role in making that possible. Heck fire, they had universities in places that had been open prairie a few years before. White doesn't like that. I don't care how many footnotes he has, he has an ax to grind, and he grinds it well. He condemns the building of the transcons when they were built, but he never deals with why they were built when they were. The first two transcons started were basically government projects. Why was the government so interested in getting railroads to the west coast? White simply avoids dealing with the issue. He doesn't like the result, but avoids the question of "Why?"
Same with Adams, Adams was trying to create a government job for himself overseeing a growing industry.
So read what you will. And draw your own conclusions. It can be a fascinating journey if you hold your interest.
A couple of suggestions:
1. If your library doesn't have a book, request a copy from Inter Library Loan. They will seek out a copy and you will pay a small fee (usually a couple of $$$) and it will arrive in about a week. This is a great feature from libraries.
2. I do not know the exact title, but there is an encyclopedia of railroading that is about 1000 pages, written about 10 years ago, that is very detailed compilation of the industry. It will be over your head at first, but it can provide detailed explanation of terms and histories which may be glossed over when you read something.
3. I would strongly suggest picking up a couple of copies of the "Official Guide to the Railways" for reference. These can be purchased at Ebay or other such locations for $10 or less. Pickup one from the 1950's or early 1960's. This will list the passenger trains which ran for all railroads, plus have invaluable maps and listing of freight routes. One can see how today's system has been developed. With an OG from that period, also purchase one from recent time (within the last 10 years) to see how the individual railroads have been merged and then assets were sold off to form regionals and shortlines.
4. As your basic knowledge and interests grow, you will find literally thousands of books available....thousands. This is a geeky hobby with literally dozens of routes to pursue. Frankly I don't give a darn about the mechanics of a modern locomotive, but many do. I love the modern history of the industry, from post WW2, but 1800's stuff usually bores me. Financial information about the industry intrigues me but is like paint drying to many people.
This is a fascinating industry and hobby for many of us.
Ed
MP173, is the book you reference in #2 the "Encyclopedia of North American Railroads"? The editors are William Middleton (also the author of several good books on railroad infrastructure), George Smerk and Roberta Diehl and published by the University of Indiana Press in 2007.
Greyhounds recommends some excellent books and I strongly agree with him on Professor White's book. A far, far superior book on the subject of the first transcontinental is David Bain's "Empire Express".
I would offer another book that while not strictly about railroads, touches on many of the engineering issues faced by the early builders of bridges in America. The book is "Engineers of Dreams" by Henry Petrosky. He discusses Eads, Cooper, Lindenthal and others and their major works.
As others have noted, this is a very rich field to delve into and you can follow your particular interest through many books.
For a somewhat different view to railroad engineering, a fun read is Mike McGinley's book "Double Jacks". This is a somewhat autobiographical novel drawing from Mike's career up through the engineering ranks of the Southern Pacific. Good incite into some of the day to day issues of maintaining a railroad.
Enjoy
There are so many books...most are parochial as to railroad or specific segment of railroading or the hobby. And not one book fits all nor one fan fits all books. I have changed over 65+ years from broad interests to specific railroads and regions; from academic histories to anecdotal histories and back; heavy on editorial content to picture portfolios; from details about construction and machines to the insights of the people who built or run the railroads; from non fiction to exclusive tales of the rails. They intertwine, they segregate, they overlap, they are separate. That' s why I suggested going to a library and scan the titles and descriptions, leaf through books that are there, then choose what hits your fancy or gets your attention. Or better yet, take one or two of each and read them all before choosing your interests...You might be surprised what you learn about trains, railroads, and yourself. But don't just choose one.
I don't know where you live, what your age, what your education, what you are all about...only you can make the final choices which best fit what you think you like or what you want to know at this time.
About 10 - 12 years ago, William D. Middleton ( a civil engineer) also wrote "Landmarks on the Iron Road", a good overview and history of the past and existing routes, bridges, tunnels, etc. of the North American rail system.
He also wrote 3 books about electrified operations - "The Time of the Trolley", "The Interurban Era", and "When the Steam Railroads Electrified", as well as 100+ articles in Trains and other books. For a beginner, I'd recommend "When the Steam Railroads Electrified" as a good overview and starting point, unless you already know you're more interested in trolleys and/ or interurbans.
zugmann Mookie Star Trek.... Don't suppose that is a tribe? No, but the Federation of Planets is... Ok, geek mode off.
Geek mode back on, briefly:
Do you live in the "States of America"?
It's either the "United Federation of Planets" or just the "Federation".
[/geek mode]
Semi-seriously, Trekkers are one tribe, and Trekkies quite a different one... ;-}
Overmod Geek mode back on, briefly: Do you live in the "States of America"? It's either the "United Federation of Planets" or just the "Federation". [/geek mode] Semi-seriously, Trekkers are one tribe, and Trekkies quite a different one... ;-}
I bow to your star trek geekiness. You have bested me, fair and square.
zugmann Overmod Geek mode back on, briefly: Do you live in the "States of America"? It's either the "United Federation of Planets" or just the "Federation". [/geek mode] Semi-seriously, Trekkers are one tribe, and Trekkies quite a different one... ;-} I bow to your star trek geekiness. You have bested me, fair and square.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Murphy Siding Beam me up Scotty, there's a bunch of geeks down here.
Beam me up Scotty, there's a bunch of geeks down here.
Yes. Yes there are.
Many railroad books are tedious, boring, and even downright brutal to read. They are nothing more than a bunch of boring loosely connected facts along with boring photos of the same locomotive from 50 different angles. And then there are the self proclaimed scholarly works that are about as much fun to read as a Japanese cookbook under a dim light. After a few pages you wonder why you bother reading any more when sticking your head in an oven and turning on the gas would be easier (and cheaper..most of these books are 85 bucks and up). Having said that though, there are some really good books out there. Someone has already mentioned "Railroads Triumphant", and I agree (although it is now about 25 years old and probably badly out of date). Another book that I love is Omar Lavallee's "International of Maine", really well written, a real page turner.
Some railroad books boring? No doubt, the problemis either the author can write or he can't. If he can't well...
Steven Ambrose used to say the best advice he got from his mentor Dr. Heseltine was "learn how to write! You'll never make it in this business otherwise!"
I've been lucky, the rail books I've gotten so far have all been keepers.
A
UlrichAnother book that I love is Omar Lavallee's "International of Maine", really well written, a real page turner.
I looked for a review of this book, Ulrich, but I couldn't find one. The complete title is Canadian Pacific to the East International of Maine Division. It was published in 2007 and copies are available.
I'm glad you liked Albro Martin's Railroads Triumphant .
John
Ulrich Many railroad books are tedious, boring, and even downright brutal to read. They are nothing more than a bunch of boring loosely connected facts along with boring photos of the same locomotive from 50 different angles. And then there are the self proclaimed scholarly works that are about as much fun to read as a Japanese cookbook under a dim light. After a few pages you wonder why you bother reading any more when sticking your head in an oven and turning on the gas would be easier (and cheaper..most of these books are 85 bucks and up). Having said that though, there are some really good books out there. Someone has already mentioned "Railroads Triumphant", and I agree (although it is now about 25 years old and probably badly out of date). Another book that I love is Omar Lavallee's "International of Maine", really well written, a real page turner.
Only if you dislike the subject or the presentation. I like anecdotal history and first person experiences and fall asleep about how the square footage of the firebox vs the water capacity and coal tonnage on 38 inch drivers makes a difference in how the engineer should operate around a 25 mile an hour curve with a 60 car train of pig iron on a rainy night in December in Missoula; or the stock quotes for the property against operating ratios of various years in comparison with other railroads of the same length. What I am saying, is that each of us will find different books and topics and parts of books boring while the guy sitting in the seat next to you is totally immersed and in heaven. That's why my advice to the question is to look at as many books and subjects, etc. until he finds what really interests him. Oh, I also get bored at seeing the same shape and half dozen paint schemes in 500 3/4 wedge shot pictures in a 300 page book.
Very true Henry. My personal preference is for first hand personal experiences as well; however,I can appreciate that others might prefer roster information or an exhaustive study of dynamic brakes on GP7s. Anything that combines history and railroads is perfect for me.
John WR AUlrichAnother book that I love is Omar Lavallee's "International of Maine", really well written, a real page turner. I looked for a review of this book, Ulrich, but I couldn't find one. The complete title is Canadian Pacific to the East International of Maine Division. It was published in 2007 and copies are available. I'm glad you liked Albro Martin's Railroads Triumphant . John
That's right John, thanks for the clarification on the title. Part of what makes this book great is that the author worked for the railroad (as a paymaster in Maine I believe). You can tell that he wrote it from the heart...you won't get a lot of roster info, but you'll get a good feel for what it was like to work for the CP in Maine, and if you like history you'll enjoy this book as well. I've read it several times.. I grew up along the Quebec portion of that line, and that's probably why I'm also interested in it. Back in the 70s there wasn't that much to do for a kid in small town Quebec other than spend lazy summer afternoons at trackside and bike a hundred miles a day with friends.
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