Henry Ford: When I Ran the Railroads

Fascinating and comprehensive story of Henry Ford's ownership of the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad from 1920-1929. Ford applied management techniques he had developed in the auto industry to the railroad and oversaw a corporate turnaround as the DT&I went from being bankrupt to highly profitable under his care. The book explores Ford's efforts at railroad electrification, his desire to improve rail shipments of raw materials to his auto plants, the negotiation of fairer rates with other railroads and the payment of higher wages to workers, all of which helped sustain the DT&I in the long run. Chapters include the upgrading of the rails and physical plant, the Fordson Shops, construction of the Malinta Cut-Off and the Flat Rock Yards, and his struggles with the ICC and other railroads. Illustrated throughout with black and white photos. 152 pages with index.