The Historical Atlas of World Railroads

A fascinating history of railroad development on every continent. At one point railroads were the most important form of transport in the world, responsible for opening up vast areas to settlement and industry. With the threat of global warming and a potential energy crisis looming, rail transportation is experiencing a welcome resurgence. The Historical Atlas of World Railroads charts the rise, fall and revival of railroads over the past 200 years, from the earliest experiments with wooden rails and horse-drawn wagons, through the rail-building boom of the steam age, to the onset of the modern high-speed lines, diesel-electric locomotives and electric tilting trains of today. This comprehensive analysis and history covers: The development of passenger and freight coaches and locomotives How railroads and their infrastructures are built and operated The development of rail types The construction of tunnels and bridges The latest advances in signaling technology, safety systems and freight-handling techniques and equipment. Packed with archival photographs and high-quality color maps, The Historical Atlas of World Railroads brings history to life by revealing all aspects of rail transportation and technology.

About the Author :
John Westwood is an authority on the history of railroad transport worldwide. He is the author of Trains, The Historical Atlas of North American Railroads, World Railways and Great Train Disasters.

Review :
(Best Reference 2009) With eight previous books on the history of railroad transport to his credit, Westwood know his subject well. Complete with 400 high-quality maps and photos, his book charts the spread of railroads from their origins pulled by horses on wooden tracks in the British mining industry to the development of iron rails in the 1750s and the first public railroad, the Stockton and Darlington in Great Britain in 1825.-- "Best Reference, 2009 Library Journal" (4/15/2010 12:00:00 AM) [starred review] At the heart of the study is the notion that geography as much as sociology and industry has dictated railroad evolution. The narrative features succinct overviews of railroads in all major geographic regions past and present and changes over time....The quality of these visuals is consistently high and richly varied. Moreover the book's general layout is breathtaking, enhanced by heavy glossy paper. There are some minor factual errors, including corporate names, and there are also omissions of countries that had or continue to have rail service, but these limitations hardly mar this remarkable coffee table-type publication. Highly recommended. General public and undergraduate libraries.--H. R. Grant, Clemson University "Choice" (4/1/2010 12:00:00 AM) From showcasing the very beginning of railroads to forecasting their future, this atlas does an impressive job of chronicling the history and advances of railroads and trains. Author Westwood....has created not only a wonderful compendium but also a beautiful work of art. The volume offers more than 400 detailed maps of rail routes and full-color pictures of the trains themselves. Beyond its visual appeal, the atlas includes excellent research on railroad transportation and technology.... Well researched and attractive, this volume is an excellent source of information on railroads across the globe. Recommended for transportation collections in academic libraries and public libraries and for any library with patrons who are interested in trains.--Christy Donaldson "Booklist" (4/15/2010 12:00:00 AM) In a large accessible format, the work sketches the interrelated history of technology and railroads throughout the world from earliest lines to the present day. Filled with maps and photographs, many in color, the entries average four pages in length.... This volume will find use with those interested in railroads, the history of technological development and its impact on transportation, the growth of transportation in general, or the geographical expansion of railway services. Although a location in the reference section might make sense for some library collections both from the content and from the size of the volume, the work will find more use by its inclusion in the circulating reference collection where one may check it out to read at their leisure. A sturdy binding ensures that the volume will last over repeated readings by individuals.--Gregory Curtis "American Reference Books Annual" (1/1/2009 12:00:00 AM) This beautifully illustrated reference work charts the rise, fall, and revival of railroads over the past 200 years... Packed with archival photographs and high-quality color maps, the atlas fully succeeds in providing a clear and complete portrait of all aspects of rail transportation and technology. Recommended for school and public libraries.--Luis J. Gonzalez, Hunger College Libraries "Library Journal" (2/1/2010 12:00:00 AM)