The Illustrated Directory Of North American Locomotives

More than 250 classic American locomotives. "Let the country but make the railroads, and the railroads will make the country." — Edward Pease During the mid-1800s, American railroads became the lifeblood of new communities in the West and brought new ways of life and means of commerce to rural communities. Railroads became the shining thread that tied together the tapestry of American life into a land of plenty. The Illustrated Dictionary of North American Locomotives explores the story of railroads and their motive power. Giant beasts of iron and steel once roamed the land. Their descendants still race across the country. This book charts the progress of motive power on America's railroads from 1830 until the present. Its 432 pages illustrate a wide variety of grand and humble locomotives, from the steam-powered Puffing Billy types of the "Early Days" chapter to the mighty Allegheny class steamers that were used to haul coal for the American industry in the "Steam in Charge" chapter.