The Historical Atlas of World Railroads: 400 Maps and Photographs Chart the Networks that Span the World

by John N. Westwood

A fascinating history of railroad development on every continent. At one point railroads were the most important form of transport in the world, responsible for opening up vast areas to settlement and industry. With the threat of global warming and a potential energy crisis looming, rail transportation is experiencing a welcome resurgence. The Historical Atlas of World Railroads charts the rise, fall and revival of railroads over the past 200 years, from the earliest experiments with wooden rails and horse-drawn wagons, through the rail-building boom of the steam age, to the onset of the modern high-speed lines, diesel-electric locomotives and electric tilting trains of today. This comprehensive analysis and history Packed with archival photographs and high-quality color maps, The Historical Atlas of World Railroads brings history to life by revealing all aspects of rail transportation and technology.

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Dr. John Norton Westwood, b.1931, is an honorary member of the Centre for Russian, European and Eurasian Studies at the University of Birmingham, England. He has been an honorary research fellow at Birmingham since 1976.

He has written extensively on Russian and Eurasian issues. He also writes on steam trains and international railway history.

Reviews

[Ruppert Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive compendium of of railways around the world. This is an interesting read, though it can be argued this is more of a reference. Nevertheless, if you're interested in the phenomenon of rail transportation worldwide, this is a vital book.