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Intermodal Railroading
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Product Description
Intermodal railroading in North America begins tentatively, with attempts at piggybacking in the 1930s, before moving on to more serious developments in the period from World War II through the 1960s, notably by Canadian Pacific and the New Haven and Southern Pacific railroads. After looking at early intermodal technology and traffic, particularly the formation of pioneering equipment manufacturer and provider TTX, author Brian Solomon turns to the contemporary period. His account of mighty changes in North American shipping ranges from the implications of deregulation and various railroad mergers, to the emergence of partnerships between railroads and trucking and shipping firms. In addition to railroads like Conrail, BNSF, and CSX, this comprehensive history features trucking, freight delivery, and forwarding firms such as J. B. Hunt, Sea-Land, Maersk, and K-Line. It also considers the importance of specialized modern rolling stock, motive power, loading equipment, and intermodal hubs including South Kearney, Seattle, Long Beach, Oakland, and Houston.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #681921 in Books
- Published on: 2007-09-15
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Hardcover
- 192 pages
Editorial Reviews
From the Inside Flap
For the first time ever, intermodal railroading—perhaps the most revolutionary development in freight railroading, if not the freight industry—is examined in a concisely written and completely illustrated history showcasing 200 vintage and modern photographs.
The advantages of intermodal railroading—the use of trailers and containers on flatcars to transload cargo to and from highway trucks and oceangoing vessels—are obvious: less cargo-handling and better security translate to reduced transit times, costs, and cargo damage. Author Brian Solomon shows how the North American rail industry moved to exploit these advantages—beginning with formative attempts at “piggybacking” in the 1930s—and how prevailing global economic conditions and federal deregulation spurred intermodal growth. Special emphases on the formation of pioneering equipment manufacturer and provider Trailer Train (renamed TTX), container-shipping pioneer Sea-Land, and the intermodal-friendly Los Angeles Corridor, provide context for a complete history of postwar intermodal, including North America’s “land-bridge” role and modern innovations like articulated spine cars and double-stack well cars.
While bringing readers to intermodal hubs such as Los Angeles–Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle-Tacoma, Houston, and South Kearny, New Jersey, among others, Solomon also examines motive power, the effects of railroad mergers, and the roles played by trucking and shipping firms such as Maersk, J. B. Hunt, UPS, NOL, Hanjin, and K-Line, to name a few. Rounded out by a glossary of terms, this wonderfully illustrated layman’s guide to the world of intermodal will prove indispensable to anyone interested in modern railroad operations.
From the Back Cover
Intermodal railroading, which started out as “piggyback,” or trailer-on-flatcar—a way for railroads to better serve customers without sidings—has grown into one of the most significant aspects of modern railroading and, indeed, international shipping. For the first time, this portion of the railroad industry that has flourished beyond all expectations is examined in a concisely written and completely illustrated history showcasing 200 vintage and modern photographs. Author Brian Solomon looks at intermodal railroading’s personalities, technology, infrastructure, and operations, with special emphases on the evolution of technologies, the effects of global economies and federal deregulation, pioneering players such as TTX and Sea-Land, and modern innovations like articulated spine cars and double-stack well cars. Rounded out by a glossary of terms, this wonderfully illustrated layman’s guide to the world of intermodal will prove indispensable to anyone interested in modern railroad operations.
About the Author
Brian Solomon is one of today’s most accomplished railway historians. He has authored more than 25 books about railroads and motive power, and his writing and photography have been featured in the world’s top railfan publications, including TRAINS, Railway Age, Passenger Train Journal, and RailNews. He splits his time between Monson, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland.
Customer Reviews
Excellent History of Intermodal in the U.S.
This books is an excellent pictorial and written history of the growth of intermodalism by US railroads. The book contains numerous photos with great captions to really show what the writer is discussing in the book. The book gives excellent history of obscurities such as NYC's Flexi-van service, Roadrailers, and the like. The book is thorough and easy to read. I suggest this book for any rail enthusient, especially those who follow modern topics of TOFC, COFC, Double Stacks, and the like.
Review of Intermodal Railroading
I am an O-Scale model railroader and was quite excited that this book on the subject of Intermodal Railroading was coming out! I just received it today and was not disappointed!
Let me tell you it is an excellent resource with loads of photos and historical information with some never been published before. The ideas generated from this book would keep any model railroader whose interests on this subject intrigued for a long time! This book would be an excellent companion to Jeff Wilson's book "Modeling Intermodal Railroads" published by Kalambach Books. Good job by Brian Solomon.
