The image of a little red caboose trundling along behind a long freight train is a classic slice of Americana. With the help of nearly 300 marvelous modern and historical images depicting cabooses of all colors, this collection traces the development of this iconic, bygone rolling stock from the nineteenth century to their almost total demise by the mid-1990s. Bobber, cupola, bay window, and transfer cabooses are shown at work across the United States, in the process presenting the grand geographic scope of North American railroading. The photography is accompanied by detailed captions discussing caboose construction, function, history, and locations depicted.

This all-new book explains why cabooses existed, how they were used, and why they eventually disappeared. It will show and explain designs common to regions as well as designs specific to many individual railroads, closing with the common International-built wide-cupola caboose that appeared on railroads across the country.

Identifies more than 170 locomotives and cars, grouped by visual similarity for ease of identification and including statistical data, manufacturing history, and usage by railroads.

From the first steam-powered locomotives of the early nineteenth century to the high-speed commuter trains of today, the American railroad has been a great engine powering the nations growth and industry. This book celebrates the glory and grandeur of that legacy with a lavish tour of the history of the American railroad and the culture surrounding it. Generously illustrated with vintage photographs, modern images, maps, timetables, tickets, brochures, and all manner of memorabilia, this volume offers a fascinating look at the rail industrys beginnings and development, as well as its place in American history. From the might of the major rail companies and their empires to the romance of rail travel, this is the full and fabulously colorful story of the industry that moved a nation--and stirs our imaginations to this day.

An illustrated guide to the wide variety of freight car equipment of the railroads that have and continue to service North America, this book covers each type of freight car and what it was designed to haul, as well as the equipment necessary to keep them all ‘on track.’ Equipment designs are based on the type of commodity that would be shipped. For example, 24-foot box cars are designed to handle 75 to 85 tons of iron ore. High cubic capacity covered hopper cars are designed for handling grain traffic, while lower cubic capacity is designed for handling heavy commodities, such as cement. See the changes for each type through time, like the early Refrigerated Cars that required ice which have evolved into today’s much larger Mechanical Reefers. Great book for modelers.

This 176-page book tells the complete story of the merger and operation of two of the Southern's great railroads: Seaboard Air Line and Atlantic Coast Line, and their highly successful operation as Seaboard Coast Line. It carries the story down to the additional consolidation of Louisville & Nashville and Clinchfield Railroads into the system to form Seaboard System, just before its merger with Chessie System to become today's CSX Transportation. Passenger and freight operations and cars are covered in detail as well as all other aspects of the line's operation.

A compilation of the best places to watch trains in operation across North America. Each entry includes a photos, general location, directions from the nearest highway, list of operating railroads, and the type and regularity of trains operating. Also includes railroad radio frequencies, scenic highlights, photography tips, safety considerations and other relevant travel information.