The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway (M&StL), affectionately known as the Tootin' Louie, was founded in 1870 to serve a Minneapolis business community threatened by powerful railway interests emerging from both Chicago and Milwaukee. Although its goal of providing a direct rail artery to St. Louis proved elusive, the M&StL became a 1,600-mile road that supplied essential freight and passenger carriage to the Midwest over its ninety-year existence. In The Tootin' Louie, railroad historian Don L. Hofsommer offers a comprehensive biography of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway and its Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and Illinois service areas from the dawn of the steamcar civilization into the post-World War II era. Incorporating an extraordinary collection of primary research documents, including station records and dispatchers' reports, Hofsommer brings the M&StL to life by vividly portraying the lives and times of the people involved in the railroad. His conversational style allows the reader to virtually see the workers, hear their stories, and sense their disappointments. The Tootin' Louie showcases the human dimension of railroading, emphasizing that the M&StL was long-lived primarily due to the loyalty of the communities and companies it served. Also a chronicle of business in the upper Midwest, this book reveals how the M&StL carried flour, lumber, even movie reels and beer between states and was often transportation for family reunions and other recreational excursions. Deeply connected to the Upper Midwest, the railroad company prospered and suffered with the communities it served. Essential reading for railway buffs and transportation historians nationwide, The Tootin' Louie is the ultimate guide to the M&StL and its place in an era of economic, social, and industrial change.
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Book Description
The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway (M&StL), affectionately known as the Tootin' Louie, was founded in 1870 to serve a Minneapolis business community threatened by powerful railway interests emerging from both Chicago and Milwaukee. Although its goal of providing a direct rail artery to St. Louis proved elusive, the M&StL became a 1,600-mile road that supplied essential freight and passenger carriage to the Midwest over its ninety-year existence. In The Tootin' Louie, railroad historian Don L. Hofsommer offers a comprehensive biography of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway and its Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and Illinois service areas from the dawn of the steamcar civilization into the post-World War II era. Incorporating an extraordinary collection of primary research documents, including station records and dispatchers' reports, Hofsommer brings the M&StL to life by vividly portraying the lives and times of the people involved in the railroad. His conversational style allows the reader to virtually see the workers, hear their stories, and sense their disappointments. The Tootin' Louie showcases the human dimension of railroading, emphasizing that the M&StL was long-lived primarily due to the loyalty of the communities and companies it served. Also a chronicle of business in the upper Midwest, this book reveals how the M&StL carried flour, lumber, even movie reels and beer between states and was often transportation for family reunions and other recreational excursions. Deeply connected to the Upper Midwest, the railroad company prospered and suffered with the communities it served. Essential reading for railway buffs and transportation historians nationwide, The Tootin' Louie is the ultimate guide to the M&StL and its place in an era of economic, social, and industrial change.
About the Author
Don L. Hofsommer is professor of history at St. Cloud State University. He is the author of, among many other books, The Southern Pacific, 1901-1985, and coauthor of The Great Northern Railway: A History (Minnesota, 2004).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An entire coverage of the railway,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Tootin' Louie: A History of the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway (Paperback)
If railroad history in general is a passion and Midwest or St. Louis rail history in particular is of interest, you won't want to miss history professor Don L. Hofasommer's vivid The Tootin' Louie: A History Of The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway. Here's an entire coverage of the railway and its extensive cross-state service areas which relies on primary research documents including station records and dispatcher reports to bring to life the rail's people and community interactions. Vintage black and white photos, illustrations, and maps pepper an extensive coverage which is a highly recommended pick indeed.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Economic History of the RR between 1850's and its Demise,
By
This review is from: The Tootin' Louie: A History of the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway (Paperback)
The book was very well written. There should have been more maps to identify geographic locations and more pictures to complete this fine history. I enjoyed this book very much and am happy with this purchase. It is worthwhile to any serious rail fan,
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tootin' Louie, A History of the Minneapolis & St Louis Railway,
By
This review is from: The Tootin' Louie: A History of the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway (Paperback)
The Tootin' Louie is a well-written history of one of the USA's most unique railroads. The author has done extensive historical research and brings out details of the economy and society throughout the history of the railroad that really enhance the value of the book. Very enjoyable reading!
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Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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railway post office, traffic department, everything from caskets, milling district, plow train, track anchors, trackage rights, passenger offerings, modal competition, general office building, diesel shop, townsite company, traffic mix, heavy tonnage, freight revenues, traffic base, mixed trains Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Rock Island, Albert Lea, Fort Dodge, South Dakota, Des Moines, Iowa Central, North Western, New Ulm, Illinois Central, Cedar Lake, Mason City, Twin Cities, Great Northern, Storm Lake, Northern Pacific, Cedar Rapids, Chicago Great Western, Kansas City, Sioux City, Lake Superior, Lucian Sprague, Edwin Hawley, West End, United States, Milwaukee Road New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
railway post office, traffic department, everything from caskets, milling district, plow train, track anchors, trackage rights, passenger offerings, modal competition, general office building, diesel shop, townsite company, traffic mix, heavy tonnage, freight revenues, traffic base, mixed trains Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Rock Island, Albert Lea, Fort Dodge, South Dakota, Des Moines, Iowa Central, North Western, New Ulm, Illinois Central, Cedar Lake, Mason City, Twin Cities, Great Northern, Storm Lake, Northern Pacific, Cedar Rapids, Chicago Great Western, Kansas City, Sioux City, Lake Superior, Lucian Sprague, Edwin Hawley, West End, United States, Milwaukee Road New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
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