Introduced in the 1930s, efficient and adaptable diesel locomotives had all but displaced steam locomotives by 1960. This colorful photographic history examines the development, implementation, and operation of diesel locomotives from the gleaming pioneer Zephyrs of the '30s through today's 8000-horsepower beasts. In the course of examining the dawn and preeminence of diesel power, the author offers a glimpse of America's major railways -- both freight and passenger -- in stunning modern and period color photography. Manufacturers like EMD, Alco and GE are included. The final chapter describes the operation and maintenance of modern diesel locomotives, and an appendix lists where rail fans can see restored examples of early diesels today.

“An important contribution to railroad technological history. The book’s strength is the author’s mastery of the mechanical details.” —Mark Reutter, editor, Railroad History The diesel locomotive sent shock waves through rigid corporate cultures and staid government regulators. For some, the new technology promised to be a source of enormous profits; for others, the railroad industry seemed a threat to their very livelihoods. Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive introduces the reader to the important technological advances that gave rise to diesel engines, examining not only their impact on locomotive design, but also their impact on the economic and social landscapes. J. Parker Lamb describes the development of these technologies, allowing the reader to fully understand how they were integrated and formed a commercially successful locomotive. Like its companion volume, Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive (IUP, 2003), this book emphasizes the role of the leading engineers whose innovations paved the way for critical breakthroughs. Rail fans will appreciate this authoritative work. “A host of books and articles have touched on various aspects of this ongoing story over the years, but none tell the story with the completeness and superb clarity found here.” —Michigan Railfan “Lamb provides the reader with detailed descriptions of every generation of diesel locomotive along with a generous supply of excellent photographs.” —Technology and Culture

Introduced in the 1930s, efficient and adaptable diesel locomotives had all but displaced steam locomotives by 1960. This colorful photographic history examines the development, implementation, and operation of diesel locomotives from the gleaming pioneer Zephyrs of the '30s through today's 8000-horsepower beasts. In the course of examining the dawn and preeminence of diesel power, the author offers a glimpse of America's major railways -- both freight and passenger -- in stunning modern and period color photography. Manufacturers like EMD, Alco and GE are included. The final chapter describes the operation and maintenance of modern diesel locomotives, and an appendix lists where rail fans can see restored examples of early diesels today.

Learn all about the companies that built diesel locomotives and the American railway system through Stanley W. Trzoniec's breathtaking photography and thorough research. Over eight decades after their invention, diesel locomotives are still the backbone of the American railroad system. Five principal companies have built diesel locomotives--EMD, General Electric, Alco, Baldwin, and Fairbanks Morse--and the most popular vintage and modern types of all five are covered in painstaking detail in Vintage & Modern Diesel Locomotives. From General Electric 44-Tonners to Alco RS5s, all of the most important models are included. Stanley W. Trzoniec's stunning photography gives these behemoths of the modern age their due in beautiful full-color images. Enthusiasts of diesel locomotives will not want to be without Vintage & Modern Diesel Locomotives in their collection.

"This book covers the history, development, construction, and operation of diesel locomotives, from pioneering boxcab switchers of the 1920s to today's high-horsepower AC-traction-motor road locomotives. Roster information for more than 120 historical and current railroads helps show how various railroads dieselized and what power they used on their freight and passenger trains."--

A thorough history of the Metropolitan-Vickers locomotive, also known as “Class 28,” featuring 160 color and black & white photos. This book provides an in-depth history of the Metropolitan-Vickers diesel-electric Type 2 locomotives, more frequently known collectively as the “Co-Bo’s” due to their unusual wheel arrangement. Twenty locomotives were constructed during the late-1950s for use on the London Midland Region of British Railways. The fleet was fraught with difficulties from the start, most notably due to problems with their Crossley engines, this necessitating the need for extensive rehabilitation work during the early-1960s. Matters barely improved and the option to completely re-engine the locomotives with English Electric units was debated at length, but a downturn in traffic levels ultimately resulted in their demise by the end of 1968 prior to any further major rebuilding work being carried out. Significant quantities of new archive and personal sighting information, supported by over 180 photographs and diagrams, have been brought together to allow dramatic new insights into this enigmatic class of locomotives, including the whole debate surrounding potential re-engining, their works histories, the extended periods in storage, together with in-depth reviews of the various detail differences and liveries.

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.

"This new oversize, full color book is the 'Diesel Spotter's Guide' on steroids. ... After you get Locomotives, you'll WANT to go out and see what's new!" --Railfan and Railroad "This is a field guide that is also elegant, so my advice is this: Buy two copies, and toss one in your car, and put the other one on your coffee table." --Trains Locomotives is the definitive photographic reference for the North American rail fan. It covers all mainline locomotive models built for North American railroads from the mid-1970s onward. This revised and expanded edition includes data on all the new locomotive models built from 2007 to January 2015, including the latest electrics from Siemens and Tier 4 locomotives from General Electrics. Containing 32 new pages, and over 300 photographs of more than 120 models, this remarkable large-format reference covers every locomotive manufacturer. Greg McDonnell provides concise yet comprehensive information on each model, along with easy-to-read tables of production totals, build dates and mechanical specifications.

About the Author: Jeff Schramm is an associate professor of history at Missouri University of Science and Technology. --Book Jacket.

More than 250 classic American locomotives. "Let the country but make the railroads, and the railroads will make the country." — Edward Pease During the mid-1800s, American railroads became the lifeblood of new communities in the West and brought new ways of life and means of commerce to rural communities. Railroads became the shining thread that tied together the tapestry of American life into a land of plenty. The Illustrated Dictionary of North American Locomotives explores the story of railroads and their motive power. Giant beasts of iron and steel once roamed the land. Their descendants still race across the country. This book charts the progress of motive power on America's railroads from 1830 until the present. Its 432 pages illustrate a wide variety of grand and humble locomotives from the steam powered Puffing Billy types of the "Early Days" chapter, to the mighty Allegheny class steamers that were used to haul coal for the American industry in the "Steam in Charge" chapter. Technical specifications are given for each engine type and the book is fully illustrated with both black & white and color photos. The book goes on to show the progress of Diesel Power, including the output of General Electric and General Motors electromotive division (EMD) from the 1920s to the present. Ultimately, the book also explores the Electric Power that powers so many of today's railways.