Seven Railroads
This is a historical account, with 154 illustrations, about seven great rail-roads constructed during the period 1844-1923, which exposed various remote regions on earth to man's development. These early railroads had favorable impacts not only on trade and commerce; often there were significant political, economic, and social consequences as well. The select railway stories outlined here are interesting and exciting manifestations of the enormous influence that the "Iron Horse" had on many peoples and places. In Jamaica the English laid down their first colonial railroad in 1844, thus enhancing the progress of industry, agriculture, and mining in this famous Caribbean "Island in the Sun." The Panama Railroad, completed by Americans in 1855 after a frightful expenditure of dollars and lives, was one of the most financially rewarding rail lines ever built. The road was fortuitously constructed in time to expedite the passage of thousands of "gold diggers" on their way to California. The dream of a steam locomotive hurdling the mighty Andes Mountains was realized in 1910 when a rail connection was established, with great effort and sacrifice, between Argentina and Chile. The 155-mile Transandino Railroad significantly speeded commerce between Atlantic and Pacific areas and, at long last, brought an end to the devastating and senseless wars waged in this part of Southern USA. Imperial Russian engineers con-structed the Trans-Siberian Railroad at the end of the nineteenth century, and it brought about the mass colonization and economic expansion of Siberia. The railroad remains today the longest line in the world, handling the greatest volume of cargo. The British finished the 582-mile Uganda Railroad in Equatorial Africa from Mombasa to Lake Victoria, in 1901 after five years of incredible adversity and struggle against the forces of nature and hostile African tribesmen. The Tehuantepec Isthmus in south-eastern Mexico had long competed with the Isthmus of Panama as a possible crossing site between the oceans. A rail-road was finally extended Across this narrow neck of land early in the twentieth century. Alaska, purchased by the United States from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867, lay dormant for many decades due to the wild, inaccessible terrain, the lack of communications, and its extreme northern latitude. The United States government finally authorized a 471-mile railroad in 1914 from Seward to Anchorage to 'Fairbanks. Construction of the road was completed in 1923, initiating for Alaska a long, steady, and fantastic growth pattern. Seven Railroads is a valuable addition to the libraries of railroad buffs, historians, and those interested in travel.
Hardback with dust jacket, 16x24cm, 292 pages, black & white photographs
Condition: Fair-Good - Ex Public Lending Library
ISBN: 9780498022258
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