|
|
Books > Sport & Leisure > Transport: general interest > Trains & railways: general interest
In one of the greatest engineering feats of his time, Claudius
Crozet led the completion of Virginia's Blue Ridge Tunnel in 1858.
Two centuries later, the National Historic Civil Engineering
Landmark still proudly stands, but the stories and lives of those
who built it are the true lasting triumph. Irish immigrants fleeing
the Great Hunger poured into America resolute for something to call
their own. They would persevere through life in overcrowded
shanties and years of blasting through rock to see the tunnel to
completion. Prolific author Mary E. Lyons follows three Irish
families in their struggle to build Crozet's famed tunnel and their
American dream.
The DeAutremont brothers were looking for a big score. They brought
dynamite, guns and a getaway car. On October 11, 1923, at the
summit of the Siskiyou Mountains in southern Oregon, the three
young men held up a passenger train, with disastrous consequences.
Their rash actions resulted in the tragic deaths of three Southern
Pacific trainmen and one U.S. Mail clerk, unleashing a public
outcry that still rings through Oregon's history. In this riveting
account, rail historian Scott Mangold draws on interviews, in-depth
research and previously unpublished maps and photographs to
document the events at Tunnel 13. Join Mangold as he chronicles the
resulting four-year manhunt and eventual conviction of the
DeAutremonts and provides insight into the lives derailed by the
robbery's bitter legacy.
Op die Spoorweg neem lesers mee in Suid-Afrika se lewendige
spoorwegerfenis. Ontdek die ingenieurswonderwerke wat die moeilike
terreine oorwin het en die lewendige spoorwegdorpe wat gemeenskappe
onderhou.Williams skroom nie om die bitter werklikheid van
rasseskeiding te bespreek nie. Hy balanseer vaardig die glans van die
spoorweë teen die skerp waarhede.
On the Railway takes readers through South Africa’s rich railway
history, from Estcourt to the grand steam engines on narrow gauges.
David Williams highlights luxurious trains like the White and Blue
Trains, and the vital role of goods trains in the economy. He explores
engineering feats that tamed tough terrains and the growth of railway
towns. The book also addresses racial segregation, the decline of the
rail network, and reflects on the past and uncertain future of South
African railways.
On June 27, 1835, New Hampshire chartered the Boston & Maine
Railroad, and a juggernaut was born. By 1900, the B&M operated
some 2,300 miles of track in northern New England, having taken
over an astonishing forty-seven different railroads since its
inception. The B&M loomed particularly large in the Granite
State, where it controlled 96 percent of all tracks and was the
primary conveyance through the rugged heart of New England s most
formidable mountain range.
From the gravity-defying Mount Washington Cog Railway to logging
transport trains to the famous Depression-era Snow Train, "A
History of the Boston & Maine Railroad" traces the fascinating
history of New England's most renowned railway.
The District Railway was designed by a committee with impractical
aspirations. A banking crisis and collapse of one of its
contractors during construction created long term financial
difficulties. It was complicit in completing the long hoped for
`inner circle' railway that was a financial disaster and very
difficult to operate. Its directors were for many years ineffectual
and its managing director, though getting off to a good start,
became complacent and distracted and failed to pursue with vigour
the policies that were needed. Even the American entrepreneurs, who
arrived with the twentieth century, had their work cut out trying
to make something of a line that rarely paid dividends and had
never been far from bankruptcy. In all this, the railway and its
operational staff provided good and useful services to important
parts of London or the suburbs it helped to shape. Why a railway
like this found itself in such a sorry state is part of the story
covered in this definitive volume. Well illustrated in colour and
black and white.
This true story is of two boys in their later teens who have saved
up like mad to buy seven-day Railrovers and go on their train
spotting trip of a lifetime. Their Railrovers give unlimited travel
for one designated week on the London Midland Region of British
Rail. It is the first week of August 1965. Around 4,000 steam
engines are still alive and kicking but there would be just over
three years more before steam would be finally gone from British
Rail. The week is planned in advance with rigorous research and
military precision. the actual visit encapsulates eight days (seven
by London Midland Region Railrover) of total frenetic excitement.
Although the Railrover covered only the London Midland Region a
necessary pilgrimage was made to Barry Docks. Rewinds and fast
forwards to other trips are also made where appropriate. There are
frequent scarcely credible brushes with shed masters and railway
police. Visits to railway sheds are packed into every available
daylight minute and early starts are ensured through planned
overnight stays on railway platform waiting rooms etc. predictably
a lot of the week did not go according to the planned timetable and
the unforeseen consequences of this add to the overall enjoyment of
the tale. Every single engine observed (on and off shed) is
recorded in detail, together with the itineraries and in-depth
commentaries on all the amusing incidents that took place. This
work therefore provides a camera shot of one week in the declining
years of steam on British Rail.
|
|