American Railroads (Paperback, 2 Revised Edition)

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, American railroads have enjoyed a rebirth in recent years as profitable freight carriers. An account of the rise, decline, and rebirth of railroads in the United States, this survey traces their history from the first lines that helped eastern seaports capture western markets to the modern newly-revitalized industry. John 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. The author 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 saviour for the railroads, however, 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.

General

Imprint:	University of Chicago Press
Country of origin:	United States
Series:	Chicago History of American Civilization CHAC
Release date:	December 1997
First published:	December 1997
Authors:	John F. Stover
Dimensions:	20 x 13 x 2mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	324
Edition:	2 Revised Edition
ISBN-13:	978-0-226-77658-3
Categories:	Books > Professional & Technical > Technology: general issues > History of engineering & technology Books > Sport & Leisure > Transport: general interest > Trains & railways: general interest Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > Business & Economics > Industry & industrial studies > Transport industries > Railway transport industries > General Books > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history
LSN:	0-226-77658-1
Barcode:	9780226776583

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