Southern Pacific Railroad (Railroad Color History) [Perfect Paperback]

Brian Solomon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 20, 1999 | Series: Railroad Color History

A colorful look at the great American railroad - the Southern Pacific. The Southern Pacific Railroad is one of the most important railroads in the US. In its heyday, Southern Pacific operating revenues were overshadowed only by the New York Central and Pennsylvania Railroad. Southern Pacific is famous for participating in the building of the transcontinental railroad, its fleet of Daylight streamlined passenger trains, and its 200 "Cab-Forward" steam locomotives. Information-packed!

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

More than just a railroad, the Southern Pacific was an empire, anchored in San Francisco but stretching from Portland, Oregon, to several ports on the Gulf of Mexico. For many years it was, in fact, the nation’s only true “transcontinental” railroad. This illustrated history tells the tale of SP’s development from 1861 through its 1996 acquisition by Union Pacific. Through some 150 archival photographs, route maps, period ads, and timetables, readers are treated to the history of steam and diesel power on the "Espee," as well as freight and passenger operations.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

More than just a railroad, the Southern Pacific was an empire. From austere western roots, it grew into a far-flung railroad of some 17,000 route miles anchored in San Francisco but stretching from Portland, Oregon, to the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, for many years, it was the nation’s only true “transcontinental” railroad.

In this reissue of the 1999 MBI title, prolific railway author Brian Solomon sources 150 evocative photographs and promotional materials not included in the previous volume to illustrate SP’s development from 1861 to its 1996 acquisition by Union Pacific and beyond. Railfans are treated to a rundown of SP steam and diesel power, as well as freight and passenger operations. In addition to the railroad’s flashy red and orange Daylight streamliners, the book also features photography from the railroad’s fabled Coast Line, Shasta Route, Golden State Route, and the granddaddy of ’em all, the Overland Route. Winding down with a recap of how SP freight and passenger infrastructures were incorporated into UP and Amtrak, respectively, Solomon shows that the “Espee” truly lives on today.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: MBI Publishing (November 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760306141
• ISBN-13: 978-0760306147
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,326,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brian Solomon is one of today's most accomplished railway historians. He has authored more than twenty-five books about railroads and motive power, and his writing and photography have been featured in the world's top railfan publications, including Trains, Railway Age, Passenger Train Journal, and RailNews. He divides his time between Massachusetts and Ireland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely pictures, pity about the text, January 28, 2008

By 

M. H. Coulson "Michael Coulson" (South Africa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Southern Pacific Railroad (MBI Railroad Color History) (Hardcover)

Should you buy this book if you already own the first edition, published in 1999? It depends what your prime interest is. If it's historical, note that altho the text is copyright 2007, it's actually identical to the 1999 edition, so the use of the present tense and references to "today" are misleading. On the other hand, this edition comprises 160 pages, against 128 for its predecessor, while the text is set in a smaller type so must take less space. The extra space is devoted to more photographs, which can be more expansively displayed. And as far as I can tell, without doing an exhaustive comparison, only one is repeated from 1999. So if you want a handsome new picture book,this is for you; otherwise, hang on to your first edition.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great photo book, low academic value, December 7, 2003

By 

A. Lu (Dorchester, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Southern Pacific Railroad (Railroad Color History) (Perfect Paperback)

Photos were great
History was disappointing, especially the part describing how SP came to be a large empire. Perhaps no one knows, but the author shouldn't have skipped over it by saying it was "too difficult to trace". The book in the same series about the Pennsylvania and the New York Central was much better from a historical standpoint.
I bought this book expecting to understand how SP came to be; admittedly I know a little more about the PRR being based in the East Coast, but this book left me more confused than I started.
Nonetheless, I am glad to see that people are continuing to write about railroads of yesteryear.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Southern Pacific Railroad (Railroad Color History)., June 3, 2000

By 

Koetje G. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Southern Pacific Railroad (Railroad Color History) (Perfect Paperback)

A well done historic line in this book, from the very beginning of small and big preceding railroad companies, under direction of the big four and all along the line in history, this Railroad company business was further set out and followed by its visionary engineers and leaders. A fallen flag today, this book gets my full recommendation as not only the wordings of this story of the friendly Espee takes you away to the era of beginning in a competative and wild environment the illustrations are well placed in the book, supportive to its text. Surprisingly well are the 'handle bars', seperatly described 'hotspots' along the Espee route... Donner Pass, Tehachapi Loop and more. So get the feel for the 'West'. Enjoy.