From Horse Trails to Steel Rails by W E Wardwell A chronological story of the de

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From Horse Trails to Steel Rails by W E Wardwell A chronological story of the de
 
From Horse Trails to Steel Rails by W E Wardwell A chronological story of the development of land transportation in Old England and New England covering a period of 2000 years.
Hard cover with  Dust jacket
Copyright 1955    
96 pages

CONTENTS
Part I - Story of the Wheel
The Wheel and Civilization3
Part II - Transportation in Old England
Early Highways6
Freight Wagons and Stagecoaches10
Part Ill - New England
Early Transportation in New England15
Development of New England Railroad Systems25
Hoosac Tunnel, or The Big Bore  51
Famous New England Trains and Mail Trains  53
Railroad Terminals and Way Stations57
Trends63
Part IV - Intracity Transportation
England66
Unites States69
Part V - Railroad Operations in New England in the Nineteenth Century
Passenger Cars, Freight Cars, Car Wheels73
Locomotive Development and Speed and Power78
Air-brakes, Car Couplings and Antifriction Bearings    86
Telegraphic Train Dispatching, Wrecks, and the Conductor is Captain of the Train 89
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
An English stage wagon18
Typical English stagecoach18
American Conestoga Wagon19
Ferry boat on Oxford Canal19
Locomotive Lion, built in 183534
An "Eddy Clock" locomotive34
First steam locomotive in Maine35
First steam locomotive on Boston and Maine35
A "compound" locomotive50
Old Boston and Worcester Depot50
Old type round house51
Diamond stack locomotive Salisbury51
Largest steam locomotive in United States66
A 1600 horsepower diesel electric locomotive66
Locomotive explosion at Fitchburg, 186467
Wreck of engine No. 82367

There's more than chance to the turn of a wheel, as this fascinating story of travel by land reveals.
Starting with the thunder of Roman chariots over the roads of conquered Britain, W. Emory Wardwell sketches the history of the wheel from primitive days to the first use of the steam locomotive in England and New England, clown to the diesel-powered and streamlined railroads of today.
This book is filled with color and romance -and facts. There are a few, but not too many, statistics - just enough to intensify one's interest.
With accuracy and verve, Mr. Wardwell It-creates old Indian trails; tells of early, long-forgotten canals; of the old Fall River Line; of the coming of the street-car, omnibus, subway; of early railroads and railroaders; of terminals and trains; of finances and mergers; and of the emergence of American railroading in all its excellence today.
Excitement runs through this talc of man's conquest of travel by land, his courage and his setbacks, his experiments and achievements. There is the nostalgic glimpse of the "Ghost Train" sliding spectrally through a New England twilight; the horror of wrecks - and why they happened; and the heroism of the Boston and Worcester Railroad crew which raced firefighting equipment in a record night run to battle the Boston fire of 1872.
This is a book for those who love history -or adventure. There are thrills for the reader as he directs a quick glance at the highwaymen who menaced England's stage-coach routes; a feeling of pleasing security for today's commuter as he reads of the utter miseries of travel in clays of yore; and facts for the seeker of information who wants to know the real story of what makes a railroad run.
Mr. Wardwell brings you authentic facts -and fun.

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