Southern Pacific Railroad (MBI Railroad Color History)

By Brian Solomon

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0760329311
• ISBN13: 9780760329313
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Voyageur Press
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 2.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.5" x 0.8" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Gandy Dancer family information.

My husband family have had 3 generations as Gandy Dancers and many of our family members collect Railroad history books--this one we did not have--so ordered it. This is another well done railraod history book. ACL.

Lovely pictures, pity about the text

Should you buy this book if you already own the first edition, published in 1999? It depends what your prime interest is. If it's historical, note that altho the text is copyright 2007, it's actually identical to the 1999 edition, so the use of the present tense and references to "today" are misleading. On the other hand, this edition comprises 160 pages, against 128 for its predecessor, while the text is set in a smaller type so must take less space. The extra space is devoted to more photographs, which can be more expansively displayed. And as far as I can tell, without doing an exhaustive comparison, only one is repeated from 1999. So if you want a handsome new picture book,this is for you; otherwise, hang on to your first edition.

Southern Pacific Railroad

I was very happy over the condition of this book. It arrived in great shape and was shipped very fast and packaged very well.

Southern Pacific Railroad (Railroad Color History).

A well done historic line in this book, from the very beginning of small and big preceding railroad companies, under direction of the big four and all along the line in history, this Railroad company business was further set out and followed by its visionary engineers and leaders. A fallen flag today, this book gets my full recommendation as not only the wordings of this story of the friendly Espee takes you away to the era of beginning in a competative and wild environment the illustrations are well placed in the book, supportive to its text. Surprisingly well are the 'handle bars', seperatly described 'hotspots' along the Espee route... Donner Pass, Tehachapi Loop and more. So get the feel for the 'West'. Enjoy.

Could Be Better

I wish it had more Photo's of Older Steam. I liked it over all. I have seen better books though. not a bad Book though if you have the money!I like the book though over all!