Synopsis
The history of electric freight and inter-urban commuter locomotives in the U.S. begins with their development in East Coast urban centers and continues their service in the present day. Railways that used or continue to use electric motive power in cities, suburbs and even over mountain passes--including the B&O, Pennsylvania, New Haven, New York Central, Norfolk & Western, Illinois Central, Milwaukee Road, and Amtrack--are depicted in period and modern color photography. The book also covers legendary electrics like the S-motors that towed steam powered trains through tunnels and into busy urban stations and several more. The text includes discussion on the roles played by GE and Westinghouse, specialized equipment, and how technology laid the groundwork for the development of diesel-electric locomotives prior to WW II., The history of electric freight and inter-urban commuter locomotives in the U.S. begins with their development in East Coast urban centers and continues their service in the present day. Railways that used or continue to use electric motive power in cities, suburbs and even over mountain passes - including the B&O, Pennsylvania, New Haven, New York Central, Norfolk & Western, Illinois Central, Milwaukee Road, and Amtrack - are depicted in period and modern color photography. This book also covers legendary electrics like the S-motors that towed steam powered trains through tunnels and into busy urban stations and several more. The text includes discussion on the roles played by GE and Westinghouse, specialized equipment, and how technology laid the groundwork for the development of diesel-electric locomotives prior to WW II., Prodded partly by concerns over pollution, the Baltimore & Ohio in 1895 electrified a portion of its mainline through (and beneath) its namesake city. Realizing the advantages of electric power versus steam, other railways -- including the Pennsylvania, New Haven, New York Central, Norfolk & Western, Virginian, Great Northern and Milwaukee Road -- eventually followed suit. This history of electric interurban locomotives in the United States begins with their nineteenth-century roots and continues to today. Readers are treated to dozens of rare period and modern color photographs showing locomotives traversing city, suburb, and even the occasional mountain pass. Featured, among others, are venerable S- and P-motors; GE's Little Joes; the iconic streamlined GG1; Milwaukee Road Bi-Polars; the Swedish-designed AEM-7; and Amtrak's Acela Express. Finally, author Brian Solomon also discusses the roles played by GE, Westinghouse, locomotive builders, and the railroads themselves -- touchstone events like the Grand Central electrification and the Milwaukee's Pacific Extension, specialized equipment and technologies, and how electric locomotives laid the groundwork for diesel-electric locomotives prior to World War II. Book jacket.
