Southern Pacific Railroad (MBI Railroad Color History) - Hardcover

Solomon, Brian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0760329311 ISBN 13: 9780760329313

Publisher: Voyageur Press, 2007

Synopsis

More than just a railroad, the Southern Pacific was an empire, anchored in San Francisco but stretching from Portland, Oregon, to several ports on the Gulf of Mexico. From austere western roots, the "Espee" grew into a far-flung railroad of some 17,000 route miles. In fact, for many years, it was the nations only true transcontinental railroad.

This illustrated history tells the tale of SP's development from 1861 through its 1996 acquisition by Union Pacific. Through some 150 archival photographs, route maps, period ads, and timetables, readers are treated to the history of steam and diesel power, as well as freight and passenger operations.

In addition to images of the Southern Pacific's flashy red and orange Daylight streamliners, the book features photography from the railroads fabled Coast Line, Shasta Route, Golden State Route, and the granddaddy of 'em all, the Overland Route.

About this title

About the Author

Brian Solomon is one of today's most accomplished railway historians. He has authored more than thirty books about railroads and locomotive power, and his writing and photography have been featured in the world's top rail publications, including Trains, Railway Age, Passenger Train Journal, and RailNews. He divides his time between Massachusetts and Ireland.

From the Back Cover

In 1999, Brian Solomon produced a definitive illustrated history of the Southern Pacific. With this updated edition, the prolific rail author and photographer has gathered more than 150 black-and-white and color photographs, along with timetables, postcards, and ads not included in the first go-around, to provide readers with a fresh look at this North American railroading icon, from the mid-nineteenth century to its 1996 merger into Union Pacific and beyond.

More than just a railroad, the Southern Pacific was an empire. From austere western roots, it grew into a far-flung railroad of some 17,000 route miles anchored in San Francisco but stretching from Portland, Oregon, to the Gulf of Mexico.

This illustrated history traces that development and rise to transportation stalwart beginning. Thanks to the collection of images assembled here, railfans are treated to a rich visual rundown of the history of SP steam and diesel power, and freight and passenger operations. In addition to images of the Southern Pacific s flashy red and orange Daylight streamliners, Solomon features photography from the railroad s fabled Coast Line, Shasta Route, Golden State Route, and the granddaddy of em all, the Overland Route.

Winding down with SP s 1996 acquisition and a recap of how SP freight and passenger infrastructures were incorporated into former rival UP and Amtrak, respectively, Solomon shows that the Espee truly lives on today.

From the Inside Flap

More than just a railroad, the Southern Pacific was an empire. From austere western roots, it grew into a far-flung railroad of some 17,000 route miles anchored in San Francisco but stretching from Portland, Oregon, to the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, for many years, it was the nation s only true transcontinental railroad.

In this reissue of the 1999 MBI title, prolific railway author Brian Solomon sources 150 evocative photographs and promotional materials not included in the previous volume to illustrate SP s development from 1861 to its 1996 acquisition by Union Pacific and beyond. Railfans are treated to a rundown of SP steam and diesel power, as well as freight and passenger operations. In addition to the railroad s flashy red and orange Daylight streamliners, the book also features photography from the railroad s fabled Coast Line, Shasta Route, Golden State Route, and the granddaddy of em all, the Overland Route. Winding down with a recap of how SP freight and passenger infrastructures were incorporated into UP and Amtrak, respectively, Solomon shows that the Espee truly lives on today.

Edition details

• Publisher: Voyageur Press
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0760329311
• ISBN 13: 9780760329313
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160