Rails Around the World : Two Centuries of Trains and Locomotives

**In this visually glorious chronological history, prolific railroad historian and photographer Brian Solomon curates a selection of the world's most significant trains and locomotives over the last two centuries. Hop aboard to see trains and locomotives at work in scenic locations throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.** Two centuries after iron behemoths first began appearing in Europe and North America, locomotives and trains continue to fascinate folks of all ages. **From North American steam and electric-diesel machines** designed and built by the likes of Baldwin and General Electric **to state-of-the-art electric freight and commuter trains** in Europe and Asia, Solomon provides a thorough look at the development of the most famous, most influential, and most technologically advanced trendsetters across more than two centuries, with **photography depicting heavy hardware at work** in North America, Europe, and Asia. Topics covered include: - **The Consolidation Type** – The most prolific steam locomotive design in America and one of the most common types around the world. - **Electric pioneers** – The earliest commercial applications for Edison, Tesla, and Siemens. Featuring hardware from Germany and Scandinavia. - **Gas-Electrics and Wind-splitters** – Pioneering aerodynamic trains that looked like machines dreamed up by Rube Goldberg. - **Budd stainless-steel streamliners** – Burlington's famous __Zephyr__ and the trains it inspired swept public imagination. - **Britain's Sir Nigel Gresley and his remarkable locomotives** – Includes World Famous __Flying Scotsman__ and steam speed record holder __Mallard__ . - **Electro-Motive's F-unit** – The iconic American diesel that killed steam. - **Germany's __Flying Hamburger__** – The pioneer high-speed diesel streamliners from 1932. - **Stanier's Black Five and 8F 2-8-0** – Trendsetting British designs that found widespread application as far afield as Turkey and Egypt. - **Spanish TALGO trains** – Innovative lightweight passenger trains sold around the world. - **Japanese Shinkansen trains** – These record-breaking electric trains are the epitome of high-speed rail. - **French TGVs** – Some of the world's fastest services with trains operating in more than a dozen nations__.__ - **Soviet M62 diesel** – Soviet-era relics continue to work in the former Eastern Bloc. - **Swedish Rc Electrics** – Over the last 50 years, these icons have worked in countries across Europe, as well as Iran. - **Siemens Vectron** – During the last decade this versatile electric design has rapidly displaced older electric locomotives across Europe. In addition to learning about the technology, railfans learn about significant **designers, builders, and operators**. When it comes to illustrated histories of railroading spanning time and nations, fans of heavy iron will be hard-pressed to find a more compelling collection. "Rails Around the World is a visually glorious history depicting trains and locomotives at work in scenic locations throughout North America, Europe, and Asia"-- Provided by publisher