Steam, Steel, and Stars

by O. Winston Link

Late years of steam railway in America - 1955 to 1960 - are documented in this book by American photographer O.Winston Link. The black and white photos taken at night capture the drama and energy of the great trains in action.

Genres: Art, Railways, Photography, Trains, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published May 15, 1987

Reviews

[Ray LaManna]

I've long been fascinated with railroads, both for their economic impact and for their sheer beauty. O. Winston Link's black and white photos are just beyond excellent. Taking these pictures at night was genius.

[M.J. Rodriguez]

Winston Link made painstaking efforts in setting up his lighting systems in order to make a perfect night photo of Norfolk & Western steam locomotives at work during the final years of steam operations in America. The rewards have been very sweet! Winston’s photographic efforts have won many awards in America— and other countries as well. The night photos were very dramatic!

[Suean]

The photographs in this book were amazing. Link spent hours setting up shots, and the results were timeless.
I enjoyed the fact that I was recently in Virginia and road the train for the first time. While reading this book, I realized that it was talking about the very tracks I road as well as many of the places I saw while there.
Enjoyable book.

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov]

What does it take to be a master of the photographic medium? There is the technical understanding of equipment, light, etc. There is the art of composition? And, there must be the ability to connect with one's audience and, for lack of a better phrase, convey a story.

Link demonstrates all of this in Steam, Steel and Stars. I was literally awestruck by the photographs in this book. He captures the massive machinery of the steam locomotive train and the nature of the railway as it conveys freight and serves its customers and communities. But more than that, Link has given us unique documentation of life (particularly small town and rural life) at the midpoint of the 20th Century.

His is the Yang to Ansel Adams' Ying and they both should be equally valued as national treasures. I need to see more of this man's work!

[Mark Stratton]

There are books that are so well done, so good, that they transcend genre or intent. This book is one of those books. It is not only a wonderful view of the last days of active Steam Locomotives in Mainline usage the United States, but a wonderful series of images of a period of time and place in U.S. history.

These photo's are beyond iconic in nature, they are history forever captured through the singular and artistic vision of Mr. Link. This is an amazing book and I highly recommend it.

[Art]

There are photo books and then there are photo books where you stop and lose yourself in the images to where you can almost smell and touch the scene. This is one of those. O. Winston Link was a master photographer and many scenes in this book are legendary in the railroad photography scene. This is a must have book for the railroad library.

[Malcolm]

This is a must-have book for anyone with an interest in railroads and the days of steam. Link knew better than anyone how to capture steam.

[Michael J. Martens]

The book that really got me interested in photography

[Raymond Bial]

Among the best of the best photographers. Truly original images.