Faces of Railroading: Portraits of America's Greatest Industry [Hardcover]

Carl A. Swanson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004

A glorious photographic tribute to the people who made railroading the greatest industry America has ever known, this book celebrates those who made the nation's railroads the envy of the world. Although its magnificent machines and inventions are often romanticized and celebrated alongside its most eccentric pioneers and tycoons, it is the faces of an unsung workforce that best personify this great industry. Readers will glimpse their own family history as they join train crews in the locomotive cab and at the back of the caboose.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Ideal for rail enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone with an appreciation for evocative black and white photography.

About the Author

Carl Swanson, senior editor of Model Railroader magazine and a graduate of West Virginia’s Woodland School of Photography. Introduction by Doug Ridell, locomotive engineer

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Kalmbach Publishing Company (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871162083
• ISBN-13: 978-0871162083
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 10.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,601,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Train Masters, June 3, 2004

By 

Robin Benson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Faces of Railroading: Portraits of America's Greatest Industry (Hardcover)

Author Carl Swanson wisely chose photos from the middle decades of the last century to use in his excellent (and beautifully produced) book. This a visual celebration of a great industry, which in the distant past really did help create America. By the Forties and Fifties the railroads were a mature industry and judging by the photos so were the folks who, day after day, made it all happen. So many of these images show middle aged men, working in a noisy, dirty environment with rugged faces but the professionalism clearly shows. Another reason for using photos from this period is because so many jobs disappeared when steam and passengers faded away.

I thought the choice of photos was excellent, not only the well-known names, like Steinheimer or Winston Link (on pages 134-135 there is an amazing shot of his showing a Norfolk and Western locomotive being overhauled) but also many from company files that will hold your interest. Chapter four, for instance, has some great passenger train interiors from various railroads. Although 'Faces of Railroading' is unusual in not having the usual run-by photos I have a copy of 'Decade of the Trains: the 1940s' by Rogers E M Whitaker and Don Ball (ISBN 0821207598) which has dozens of photos showing railroaders going about their business.

Another reason I like Carl Swanson's book is because it is super to look at. Well printed with big one to a page photos and printed in more than 200dpi, elegant design and typography (a tip of the hat to art director Kristi Ludwig) makes this book look so superior to the usual transport publisher offering. I wonder if Kalmbach have enough material for a second volume?

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get your hands dirty running a railroad!, May 30, 2004

By 

Lindsay Korst (Redmond, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Faces of Railroading: Portraits of America's Greatest Industry (Hardcover)

Author Swanson has gathered a wonderful collection of crisp black and white images to tell the story of America's railroaders. We are running the locomotive, out maintaining track and in the dispatcher's office with the men and woman who made it happen. Discover how railroaders did it: introducing standard time to America, train orders and rules, and sometimes just plain muscle and sweat. A poignant tribute to the human side of a most fascinating industry.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful and expertly selected and assembled images, May 16, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Faces of Railroading: Portraits of America's Greatest Industry (Hardcover)

Carl A. Swanson's Faces Of Railroading: Portraits Of America's Greatest Industry is a black-and-white photographic gallery of those who have dedicated their lives and careers to the American railway system. These masterful and expertly selected and assembled images reveal the people who operated (and relied upon) locomotives, luxury passenger trains, tour backshops, and so much more. A brief commentary skims over the history and setting behind these captivating images, in this showcase coffee table book which is very highly recommended -- especially for dedicated railroading buffs.