THE STREAMLINE ERA

The streamline style, which began by rounding corners of immobile objects, ushered in the moderne across America in the 1930's. Railroads decided to streamline with the coming of the diesel locomotive. Featured is the influence of designers such as Cret, Dreyfus, Bel Geddes, Kuhler, and Lowey.

The evolution of semi streamlining took place as depression poor railroads attempted to modernize. The coming of Burlington's Zephyr and Union Pacific's, started a mad dash by America's railroads to streamline passenger trains. There is also a chapter on streamlining of trains around the world.

Inspiration for The Streamline Era stems from childhood when the author one day watched the New York Central s streamliner Mercury streak through his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, en route from Cleveland to Detroit. From that day when he first saw Henry Dreyfuss sleek designed train, Reed became infatuated with streamline trains. His sustained interested in streamlining and the styles of the 1930s evolved into six years of research resulting in this book.

The author received his formal education at Miami University with a BA in English and a minor in Art History, and his Master s Degree at Bowling Green. He presently teaches American Literature at St. Stephens School in Alexandria, Virginia, and lives in the Cleveland Park area of Washington City. Besides train watching and research, Reed enjoys tennis, bicycling, and walking his Cairn Terriers. When he can, he leaves Washington to work on his Cromwell s Run farm in the Virginia Blueridge near Middleburg.

The Streamline Era is Reed s second book. His Train Wrecks appeared in 1968. He has recently completed another book on the subject of land transportation. The author has consistently contributed articles to railroad historical journals such as Railroad History, published by the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society.