The Great Railway Revolution

Starred review from July 16, 2012
In a volume that will delight train buffs—and hopefully others—English historian and railway expert Wolmar (On the Wrong Line) examines the rise and fall of railroads in America, with a detailed look at how they influenced and directed the growth of the country for more than a century. He spares no punches as he looks at both the positive and negative aspects of the industry, from its chaotic, privatized, and state-run beginnings in the 1830s through its unprecedented spread to its near extinction in the mid-20th century. Wolmar follows the evolution of the technology required to facilitate such an enterprise, delves into the massive corruption underlying the system during its heyday, and explores its impact on the Civil War—“the first true railroad war.” Time and again, he concludes that America could not have grown or prospered without the spread of the railroad, from Chicago’s rise as a transportation hub to consolidation of the myriad smaller lines into several major firms. Finally, he explores the creation of Amtrak. The end result is a fascinating, even indispensable look at one of America’s essential historical components. 16 pages of b&w photos; maps. Agent: Inkwell Management.