Railroads and the American People (Railroads Past and Present)

In this engaging social history of the impact of railroads on American life H. Roger Grant explores the railroads golden age of 1830–1930. To capture the essence of the nations railroad experience Grant looks at four fundamental topics―trains and travel train stations railroads and community life and the legacy of railroading in America―illustrating each topic with carefully chosen period illustrations. Grant recalls the lasting memories left by train travel both of luxurious Pullman cars and the grit and grind of coal-powered locals. He discusses the important role railroads played for towns and cities across America not only for the access they provided to distant places and distant markets but also for the depots that were a focus of community life. Finally Grant reviews the lasting heritage of the railroads preserved in word stone paint and memory. Railroads and the American People is a sparkling paean to American railroading by one of its finest historians.