Anyone who has watched in anticipation as a powerful steam engine rolled into a station, belching iconic billows of black smoke, or heard the memorable blue note sound of a steam engine whistle will revel in Charles McShane’s amazingly detailed exploration of the inner workings of the classic steam engine. This historical record from 1909 will delight fans of classic American steam locomotives and those who have an unwavering love for classic American history. You’ll be able to look over hundreds of detailed illustrations, from mechanical side valves and engines to locomotives like the Baldwin and the Richmond. Not only will you see the beauty of these historical machines, but McShane also explains every aspect of how these incredible behemoths of the railways operated. With detailed examinations of the engineering of the classic steam engine, you will be able not only to understand and admire the outer workings of these locomotives, but also to learn what a side valve, steam injector, and pressure gauge are, and how they work. This classic will be loved by all and fit perfectly as the centerpiece of any train aficionado’s library.

Spanning more than one and a half centuries, this treasure trove examines the steam, diesel, and electric locomotives that have have kept North American commerce on the rails since the middle of the nineteenth centuty. Prolific rail author Brian Solomon takes an encyclopedic approach and describes every major type. And because locomotive-building has long been a made-to-order business, the book is arranged alphabetically by railroads from across the United States and Canada to show the variant technologies that railroads ordered to best suit their specific needs, whether for freight or passenger operations. The 75-plus railroads covered range from the best known historical lines such as Canadian Pacific, Santa Fe, Union Pacific, and Baltimore & Ohio, to today’s giant Class I roads, commuter lines, and selected short lines. The result is a profusely illustrated and beautifully presented reference guide that features more than 400 locomotive gems from throughout the ages, including historic machines such as New York Central’s J3a Hudsons, Pennsylvania Railroad’s GG1 electrics, and EMD’s classic E- and F-Units, to today’s most powerful modern diesels. All the major builders—past and present—are represented, including such heavyweights as Baldwin, Alco, Lima, EMD, GE, and more.

DIVThis massive collection of 700 color photographs (comprising the previously published volumesSteam Power,Vintage Diesel Power, andModern Diesel Power) traces the development of North American locomotives from the early nineteenth century right up to the present, spanning dozens of models from the likes of Alco, Baldwin, Electro-Motive, Fairbanks-Morse, General Electric, and more. Top-notch imagery from dozens of photographers is accompanied by detailed captions from author Brian Solomon that discuss locomotive technology, the roles of specific locomotives in individual railroads, and even the locations and operations depicted in the photographs. Together, this awesome collection stretches from the Baltimore & Ohio’s diminutiveTom Thumbsteam locomotive—generally considered the starting point of North American locomotive technology—right up to today’s high-horsepower “green� models from General Electric and Electro-Motive. The resulting volume, which also reflects the grand geographic and technological breadth of railroading in North America, is the ultimate gathering of great locomotive photographs for casual and hardcore railfans alike./div

Relive train travel's earliest days with this splendidly illustrated story of steam locomotion, from "teakettles" to "titans." Working from builders' specifications, old engravings, and contemporaneous accounts, the author re-creates, in accurate renderings, the earliest locomotives.

"This book collects and describes every known North American streamlined - or semi-streamlined - steam locomotive with photographs of every class and every significant design variation and it packages those descriptions with information about the locomotives' origins, service lives and ultimate destinies."--Book

For nearly half of the nation's history, the steam locomotive was the outstanding symbol for progress and power. It was the literal engine of the Industrial Revolution, and it played an instrumental role in putting the United States on the world stage. While the steam locomotive's basic principle of operation is simple, designers and engineers honed these concepts into 100-mph passenger trains and 600-ton behemoths capable of hauling mile-long freight at incredible speeds. American Steam Locomotives is a thorough and engaging history of the invention that captured public imagination like no other, and the people who brought it to life.

A lavishly illustrated look at the glory years of travel by rail, with over 160 profiles, front and top views, and interior layouts depicting three dozen of the nation’s most celebrated trains of the golden age.

Just like today, with high-specification computers being used to design even higher specification models for the next generation, the making of machines to make machines was one of the most important aspects of the Industrial Revolution. The lathe, for example, is the oldest known machine tool and dates back to antiquity, but it wasn't until the late 17th century that such industries as clock making, the building of scientific instruments, furniture and gun makers, began to convert from woodworking lathes to ones that ware capable of machining metal. Craftsmen needed precise machines that could shape metal gears, cut metal screws and stamp shapes out of metal, thus enabling others to assemble their products.

Forty-four Illustrations of historic railroad engines range from the groundbreaking steam-powered locomotives of the early 1800s to the modern Acela Express, America's first high-speed train. Models include Trevithick's Locomotive (1803-04); the English "Stourbridge Lion" (1829); the "Broadway Limited" (1914); "The Super Chief" (1946); the "Bullet" train (1964); and many others.

Based on the popular “Collectible Classics” column from Classic Toy Trains magazine, 101 Classic Toy Trains surveys the most collectible toy train accessories, locomotives, and rolling stock. This book is very helpful to those who have found an old train collection and are looking for the value of it, as well as for those who just want a better idea of what they should buy next for their layout.