American Steam Locomotives: Design and Development, 1880–1960 (Railroads Past and Present)

Sometimes it doesn't hurt to throw yourself into the deep end. I've had an interest in trains for some time and was looking for something a little more substantial than the usual fare. To say that I got more than I expected would be an understatement; this is, by far, the most detailed book on the subject I've ever read. Rather than another fuzzy, nostalgic look at the "Romance of Steam," this is book delivers exactly what its title promises.It's not terribly surprising that Mr. Withun, the former transportation curator at the Smithsonian Museum of American History, spent more than three decades writing this book, or that he died before it was completely finished. In a word, it's a beast. At once ruthlessly efficient and meticulously detailed, I'd compare it with Norman Friedman's "Illustrated Design Histories" of American warships in terms of detail and scope. He takes us step-by-step through the breathtakingly rapid technical advancement (and occasional embarrassing failure) of American steam locomotive design. Individual chapters cover subjects such as valve gear, wheel design, counterbalancing, compounding, superheating, streamlining, the introduction of diesel locomotives, and poppet valves. Others focus on iconic or groundbreaking locomotives, railroad safety, famous designers, and some of the failed attempts at resisting the diesel revolution.Rather than simply being a dense collection fo statistics, this is a surprisingly readable and flowing text that doesn't read like a technical manual. It does a fine job explaining how each new technology was developed and how it affected locomotive design as a whole, without drifting off on unrelated tangents. I've never seen the many tradeoffs required to design a successful locomotive described with such clarity or detail. The overarching story is one of continuous progress, each locomotive faster, safer, more fuel-efficient, more technically advanced, and more powerful than the last, all in the name of continually driving down the cost of moving freight by rail.It says a lot that, as soon as I finished reading this, I immediately wanted to read the first few chapters again to see if I'd missed anything. That's in spite of the fact it took me nearly five months, on and off, to actually read it from cover to cover. That's not to say that it's boring, it's just that it's extremely lengthy, never really picks up beyond a walking pace, and is best read in ten or fifteen-page segments. The illustrations are functional black and white photographs and the occasional diagram, all with useful captions and all (thankfully!) placed on the same page as the subject being discussed.This is obviously a bit of a niche book, but if you're of a technical bent, and enjoy reading about fireboxes, equalizers, counterweights, steam domes, and starting tractive efforts, and scowl at folks who call pilots "cowcatchers" or locomotives "trains," it belongs on your shelf.

If you’ve every wondered how the steam locomotive reached its zenith in America, this is an excellent work that comprehensively covers the subject. The developments that took the humble 4-4-0 to the 4-8-4 and beyond are examined and discussed, without falling into unbearably dry engineering literature. Every major development, from compounds, articulated, super power, and experimental engines are covered. Each chapter builds on the last and weaves a narrative on the subject that any steam buff will enjoy. Highly recommended.

I had read a review on this book and thought it might be a nice addition to my railroad library, so I jumped onto Amazon and was immediately put off by its price. Based on the review, the number of pages and the reputation of the author, I was expecting something in the $120 - 150 range, so when I saw the actual price, it made me wonder if the book would be as good as I had thought. Well, it is - and more.They say the best things come in small packages. Physically, with 464 pages, it is fairly thick, but it's a smaller book - certainly not coffee table size. Just a bit smaller than a magazine.And it is packed with information. A long-time curator at the Smithonian and a licensed locomotive engineer on steam locomotives, Mr. Withuhn not only brings a wealth of information that has been thoroughly researched, but presents it in an unusual way that is very informative and at the same time very easy to read and understand. He balances very well, meeting the needs and interests of the dedicated steam locomotive enthusiast and the novice who wants to learn more about them. There's something in this book for everybody.I mentioned that he presents it in an unusual way. Many books like this tend to be a rather dry recitation of facts. Or, they are often shallow surveys of the general world of steam locomotives. But Mr. Withuhn's approach is refreshingly different. In his telling the story of the development of these amazing machines, he considers the importance of understanding the people who specified and designed them and the factors that played into their decisions. This adds a dimension to the story that brings it alive. It puts you in touch with them and lets you relate to the fact that these machines were the high tech of their day and these men were breaking new ground, just as our computer and communications engineers do today. It also heightens your understanding of the machines and why they developed the way they did.This book would have been worth it at the price I thought it would go for. At its actual price, it is a phenomenal bargain. This is a must-have book for any railroad enthusiasts library.

An excellent analysis of how American steam locomotives developed between builders and railroad companies in response to their changing rail transport requirements for freight and passenger traffic and available emergent technologies. Concludes with an overview of their replacement by diesel and electric motive power and the loss of long distance passenger traffic to air transport. Detailed but very readable. Very carefully illustrated, with many photographs of locomotives and engineering drawings to show developments.

This must be on of the best ever discussions of different aspects of steam railway locomotive design, construction andoperation. Naturally American practice predominates, but the author does not ignore external influences. Essential foranyone seriously interested in the subject (reviewer in Great Britain).

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Very good be careful if you do not like technical details though

This is "the bible" on American steam locomotives and covers the subject in enough detail to satisfy the biggest anorak around. Not the sort of thing you will read in one sitting ! Not cheap but worth every penny.