The Railroad - (Greenwood Technographies) by H Roger Grant (Hardcover)

About the Book

Railroads altered the landscape of the United States. Within a few decades of the invention of the locomotive, railways stretched from coast to coast, enabling people and goods to travel far greater distances than ever before, completely altering our concept of time and space. And while railroads may seem like an old technology, they continue to be an essential means of transporting both good and people, and new technologies are making the railroads an increasingly relevant resource for the 21st century. This volume in the Greenwood Technographies series tells the life story of all aspects of railroad technology--everything from the structure of the track to communications to what powers the locomotive.
The Railroad: The Life Story of a Technology gives students and railroad enthusiasts plenty of information on the development of this popular technology:

; Chronicles the early years of the railroad, from early wooden tramways in Massachusetts, to the famous Tom Thumb

; Discusses the important technological failures, such as the narrow-gauge craze of the late nineteenth century with track widths as small as two feet.

; Covers all aspects of railroad technology -- everything from the structure of the track to communications to what powers the locomotive.

; Links the technology to broader social developments, such as the decline of the railroad in the mid-20th century to outmoded governmental and labor restrictions, and the current rise of railroad technology as a result of new managerial techniques.

The volume includes a timeline of important dates in railroad history, a glossary of important terms, and a selected bibliography of works appropriate for further research.

Book Synopsis

Railroads altered the landscape of the United States. Within a few decades of the invention of the locomotive, railways stretched from coast to coast, enabling people and goods to travel far greater distances than ever before, completely altering our concept of time and space. And while railroads may seem like an old technology, they continue to be an essential means of transporting both good and people, and new technologies are making the railroads an increasingly relevant resource for the 21st century. This volume in the Greenwood Technographies series tells the life story of all aspects of railroad technology--everything from the structure of the track to communications to what powers the locomotive.

Review Quotes

"Another in the Greenwood Press series Greenwood Technographies, this publication offers a detailed, informative picture of the history and advancement of the railroad. Throughout the past 200 years, the railroad has evolved from its beginnings in Britain with coal burning propulsion and wooden cars to today's diesel- and turbine-powered locomotives and steel cargo cars. Grant writes in a very general and understandable style, and he manages to do an excellent job of thoroughly discussing the details and specifics of the way that rail technology improved and what brought about these improvements. . . . An excellent example is how the need for scheduling trains helped bring about the establishment of time zones. Highly recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates; two-year technical program students." --Choice

"Keeping the discussion largely within the context of the United States, Grant narrates the development of the railroad as a technology. Traveling from rail's gestation in the early 1800s to the present time, he discusses the inventors and innovations that impacted the design and operations of railroads and trains." --SciTech Book News

"High school students in particular will find these quick references provide easy consultation on the 'life story' of each technology's evolution, covering different generations of computers and trains, surveying their importance in American lives, and following key changes and events. All are excellent references, highly recommended.' (reviewed in conjuction with Computers, Greenwood, 2005)" --Midwest Book Review

About the Author

H. Roger Grant is professor of history at Clemson University. He is a specialist in American transportation history. Some of his recent books include histories of the Erie Lackawanna, Chicago & North Western and Wabash railroads and he is completing a book-length study of the Georgia & Florida Railroad.