Hardback | |
July 4, 2023 | |
9780253066718 | |
English | |
232 | |
40 b&w illus. | |
9.00 Inches (US) | |
6.00 Inches (US) | |
$28.00 USD, £22.00 GBP | |
v2.1 Reference | |
Sunset Cluster
A Shortline Railroad Saga
Discover the Sunset Cluster—railroads that were doomed to fail?
The first two decades of the 20th century were the twilight of the Railroad Age. Major routes had long been established, and local service became the focus of new construction. Beginning in 1907, a cluster of five shortline railroads were established in otherwise unconnected parts of Iowa. They, however, would short lived.
The five Iowa 'sunset cluster' railroads might appear to deserve eternal obscurity, being at best minor footnotes to American railroad history. After all, their total mileage barely exceeded 100 miles. Their average life span, moreover, covered about five years, and the Des Moines & Red Oak Railway (DM&RO) never turned a wheel. Yet, these Iowa shortlines had an immediate positive impact to their service area, but disappointingly they became victims of modal competition and the Good Roads Movement.
Using contemporary newspapers, government reports, and other little-known sources, renowned railway historian H. Roger Grant offers a fascinating look at these shortline railroads. Sunset Cluster explores the almost desperate desire by communities to benefit from steel rails before the regional railroad map finally imploded and the challenges faced by latter-day shortline builders.
The first two decades of the 20th century were the twilight of the Railroad Age. Major routes had long been established, and local service became the focus of new construction. Beginning in 1907, a cluster of five shortline railroads were established in otherwise unconnected parts of Iowa. They, however, would short lived.
The five Iowa 'sunset cluster' railroads might appear to deserve eternal obscurity, being at best minor footnotes to American railroad history. After all, their total mileage barely exceeded 100 miles. Their average life span, moreover, covered about five years, and the Des Moines & Red Oak Railway (DM&RO) never turned a wheel. Yet, these Iowa shortlines had an immediate positive impact to their service area, but disappointingly they became victims of modal competition and the Good Roads Movement.
Using contemporary newspapers, government reports, and other little-known sources, renowned railway historian H. Roger Grant offers a fascinating look at these shortline railroads. Sunset Cluster explores the almost desperate desire by communities to benefit from steel rails before the regional railroad map finally imploded and the challenges faced by latter-day shortline builders.
About the Author
H. Roger Grant is author of numerous books on railroads and transportation, including Railroads and the American People and A Mighty Fine Road. He is Kathryn and Calhoun Lemon Professor of History at Clemson University.
Hardback | |
July 4, 2023 | |
9780253066718 | |
English | |
232 | |
40 b&w illus. | |
9.00 Inches (US) | |
6.00 Inches (US) | |
$28.00 USD, £22.00 GBP | |
v2.1 Reference | |
Other Titles by H. Roger Grant
The Station Agent and the American Railroad Experience
H. Roger Grant
Jan 2023
- Indiana University Press
$28.00 USD
- Hardback
Transportation and the American People
H. Roger Grant
Oct 2019
- Indiana University Press
$40.00 USD
- Hardback
Other Titles from Railroads Past and Present
The Pennsylvania Railroad
Albert J. Churella
Nov 2023
- Indiana University Press
$80.00 USD
- Hardback
The Railroad Photography of Phil Hastings
Tony Reevy
Jun 2023
- Indiana University Press
$40.00 USD
- Hardback
Other Titles in TRANSPORTATION / Railroads / History
The Louisville and Nashville Railroad, 1850-1963
Kincaid A. Herr
Nov 2021
- University Press of Kentucky
$60.00 USD
- Electronic book text
$30.00 USD
- Paperback / softback
The Train and the Telegraph
Benjamin Sidney Michael Schwantes
Jul 2019
- The Johns Hopkins University Press
$57.00 USD
- Hardback
$57.00 USD
- Electronic book text
After Promontory
Center for Railroad Photography and Art
Mar 2019
- Indiana University Press
$60.00 USD
- Hardback