The black and white photos taken at night capture the drama and energy of the great trains in action.

    From early pioneers of the 1830s to 20th century giants like Union Pacific's Challenger, the book provides full descriptions of every locomotive featured, along with fascinating facts and anecdotes. A text of great historical and technical value, the book also examines more efficient forms of railpower developed in the 1990s and looks ahead to the future of railroading.

    The authors created the make-believe island of Sodor and its railway service to serve as an authentic background to the Railway Series of books about Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends.

    The laying of the golden spike in Promontory, Utah, in 1869 marked not only the opening of the continent to settlement but also the transformation of the United States from an agricultural nation to an industrial one.Maury Klein, America’s foremost railroad historian, re-creates the powerful personalities and dramatic events that led to the construction of this legendary railroad. Fully illustrated with over one hundred historic photographs and maps, Union Pacific details the feat of engineering and human strength that conquered the terrain of the desert and mountains and also the colorful wheelings and dealings that were waged in executive boardrooms in New York and Boston and in the chambers of Congress as dreamers and scoundrels, politicians and patriots forged a pioneering enterprise in transportation. Maury Klein is professor of history at the University of Rhode Island. He is the author of several books, including the Pulitzer Prize finalist The Life and Legend of Jay Gould.

    Little's freight train.