Rails Across Canada: 150 Years of Passenger Train History [Paperback]

VIA Rail Canada Inc. (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: VIA Rail Canada Inc.; First edition (June 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9999731007
• ISBN-13: 978-9999731003
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,356,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars History at its dullest!, August 4, 2010

By 

J. Guild (Toronto,Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

When I came across this book,I was expecting a great read.However,to say that I was disappointed would be an understatement.I grew up in the 40's and 50's in a small Railroad town and the son of a Railroader;so I was naturally interested in Railroading all my life.When I was nearing completion of High School,my father asked me what I thought I would like to do with my life.I said a Dispatcher for the Railroad sounded interesting.I often listened to the chatter of Morse Code in his office and it intrigued me.Then there was the local Watchmaker,who checked and repaired the Railroader's watches.These seemed to be two of the town's most technical and interesting jobs.My Dad suggested I look elsewhere,as those jobs would soon be replaced by technology.He was right on both accounts.Watchmakers have gone much the way of the Shoemaker , the Cooper and the Blacksmith.As for the Railroad Dispatcher;not only is he gone;but the whole Railroad,tracks,machine shops ansd stations are long gone.One of my friends became a Train Engineer,a highly prized and respected occupation--I wonder where he ended up?
My disappointment with this book was because;even though the Railroads had a rich history,this book ignores most of it,and reads more like a summation of equipment,company names,track constructions,and about as exciting as reading a company's Annual Report.The book doesn't even claim an author,but rather states that it was "Produced for CIA Rail Canada Inc. by Lorraine Greey Publications Limited" to celebrate "150 Years of Canadian Railroads.
Although there are many photographs,they lack any of the lore aand soul of what Railroading was all about.Again,the photographs are what you would expect in an Annual Report.I could easily believe that the extent of the thought and imagination that went into this book was that someone in the Public Relations Department,simply just handed it over to the same company that produced their Annual Reports.
All I can say ,is if you're looking for a book that deals with the rich history of Railroading in Canada,its stories,accomplishments,disasters,colorful characters,importance in the life of the people and towns,involvement in the war efforts etc.;you'll be disappointed with this book.