Customer Reviews

The Birth of California Narrow Gauge

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This massive volume charts the development of early California railroads, both narrow and standard gauge, by following the lives of two Irish immigrant brothers, Thomas and Martin Carter. It is much more than just a railroad history as it explores how they gained the skills and knowledge to build railroad cars, bridges, and even the railroads themselves, and how they used innovative leveraged financing (which in retrospect seems surprisingly modern) to build their company. The cars that they built some 100 years ago can still be found, still in San Francisco, Alaska, and in numerous railroad museums across the western United States.

As Mr. MacGregor develops the story of the Carter Brothers he is also telling the story of six individual early California Narrow gauge railroads which were built to fight the monopolistic Central Pacific system, called "the Octopus" by the newspapers of the time. Each of these lines will have a connection to the Carters, either through cars built by them, or through bridge and car designs which they provided under contract. Through side bars and supplemental chapters you gain insight into how these railroads operated, the locomotives they purchased, and which saloons were favored by their management.

Additionally, this is a wonderful example of the great American story, as the two brothers escape famine plagued Ireland, only to pass through the plague infested Canadian immigrant stations on the St. Lawrence River. 1862 finds Thomas operating his own business in upper New York state, which he abandons to come west to California to avoid the Civil War draft.

While Thomas finds work in the shops of California's first railroad, his younger brother Martin goes to work on the new state capital building. Thomas loses his leg in an industrial accident, and as a result has to find an alternative to physical labor. That alternative was railroad car drafting, which became design and eventually engineering. With these newfound skills he would form, with his brother a partnership to build railroad cars. That company would thrive for 30 years in a difficult economy.

The text is supplemented by a rich assortment of photo, drawings and contemporary color illustrations. The book even finds room for an amusing and insightful discussion of Thomas Carter's love life and his long standing affair with Molly Redmond, a refreshingly liberated Victorian woman.

This is a must have book for anyone interested in Western railroads, narrow gauge, or California History.

As a researcher of Northern California local history, I use this book as a primary source document. I find the accuracy astounding, the book is easy to read, and the illustrations are first class. It is a model for anyone to follow -- study it, and cite it with confidence.

Comprehensive history of early Pacific Coast railroad and transpiration history. Lots of interesting historical sketches of railroad people and their suppliers. How the railroads built up local economies. Also lots of technical detail, with explanations that will allow anyone with out prior knowledge to become well versed in the basics of railroad technology. This is an excellent book, a must have for any railroad oriented library collection.

If you ever wondered how California prospered and grew from the 49er's until now you have to read this heavy volumned book. You will find obscure little railroads and the more recognized later standard gauged railroads that brought about transportation for not only the gold rush but the later on and still flurishing agricultural industry. Small railroads and their towns are identified and their locations given. Commodities that still make the "Golden State" one of the leading areas of production are identified and the railroads that serviced them are located and mapped. This book is heavy, thick, through and the information in it is the reason why. A must have for narrow gauge railroad lovers.

Perfect, new condition, shrink wrapped for protection.

Excellent Historical content. My husband was thrilled.

A fantastic work! Very detailed and full of fascinating photographs. Anyone with an interest in American narrow gauge will find this fascinating.

What to say more ....
Complete, full of drawings of rolling stocks, maps, the history of those brothers is so well written that seams a "romanze" not a real history.
Packed with informations, maps, and everithing you can expect from a "professional" writer.
An absolutely "must have" for any railroad fan and not. A piece of history.
Enzo Fortuna