Main Lines: Rebirth of the North American Railroads, 1970–2002

by Richard Saunders Jr., Richard Saunders, AME, Richard Saunders

Rising from the corporate wreckage of the 1970s, when even the nation's largest railroad filed for bankruptcy, American railroads are once again a major part of the global economy. Richard Saunders brings to life this amazing story of revitalization, showing how a combination of creatively structured aid from the public sector and talented private management gave railroads new momentum. By 2002, American railroads carried five times the tonnage they hauled in their former heyday, and they did this with one-tenth of the employees.

How did this revolution happen? Saunders shows how limited, disciplined, and politically risky government intervention stabilized a sinking industry. Whatever their results for other industries, President Carter's deregulation and President Reagan's tax revisions restored the railroads' financial health. Container cars and other new technologies also helped to transform inefficient railroads into vibrant enterprises. Corporate strategies varied on the road to success, and even skilled managers encountered pitfalls, but the railroads' resurgence and growth proved to be unstoppable.

After the merger mania of the mid-twentieth century, the main U.S. railroad systems evolved into seven transregional corporate giants. Of the "Super Seven," only four survived past the 1990s—the Norfolk Southern, CSX, Union Pacific, and Burlington Northern–Santa Fe. These four set the standard at a time when no other major railroads could afford the new technologies needed to turn a profit.

A sequel to Merging Lines, this engagingly written account brings the story of American railroads up to the twenty-first century. As American transport enters the twenty-first century, the iron horse that consolidated the Industrial Revolution once again flexes its muscle.

Genres: Nonfiction

457 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[ALLEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

For years most writing about American railroads and railroading was trapped in a hazy twirl of personal reminiscence, nostalgia, and outright snobbery (consider Lucius Beebe's HIGHBALL). But when U.S. railroads began to founder and crash in the 1960s, a new generation of writers emerged to take on U.S. railroading as the business it is. Talk of hunting hoboes, dining-car menus, and luxury train "cruises" is still with us, of course, but by the late 20th Century a new generation of financially savvy journalists and railroad insiders had taken the lead. The best of their writing seeks to answer the mystery of why and how a once-proud American industry had fallen on such hard times, and what became of the rubble -- moreover, it does so knowledgeably, compellingly, and entertainingly. In my opinion Richard Saunders, Jr., is the best of the best among such writers.

Main Lines: Rebirth of the North American Railroads, 1970-2002 (2003) will appeal to the railroad historian, business historian, and even the fan of how trains are operated in North America. This crackerjack volume commences with the 1970 failure of the star-crossed Penn Central merger of 1968, and concludes early in this century, taking in the fallout from the Penn Central crash and the ensuing failure of most Northeastern U.S. railroads, the establishment of Conrail, imposition of governmental reforms, and the wave of big-money mergers that swept the industry in the 1980's and 1990's. Today's railroads, though arguably less charming, are also more efficient, leaner, lucrative -- and hopefully here to stay.

With the possible exception of the motion-picture industry, I never knew that any segment of the economy could make for such an enthralling epic. And so factual. If you've ever wondered how dozens of "Class A" major railroad lines were merged or shrunk down to a handful of megasystems, this book is for you. Its predecessor volume, Merging Lines: American Railoads, 1900-1970, dovetails perfectly with MAIN LINES, but MAIN LINES is the place to start.

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[David Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough telling of the story of American railroads in the transition from the Penn Central bankruptcy of 1970 through deregulation until 2002. A very readable accounting weaving economics, politics, geography and personalities. That time span coincides almost exactly with the years I worked for the railroads.

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging account of an often dry topic - benefitting from the author's enthusiasm and conversational style. This said, one has to be interested in North American railroading during this time period to enjoy the book.

I wish it'd covered more operational nuts-and-bolts, and was surprised by what I felt were omissions (discussion of the per diem period as an example).

[Ty Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful follow-up to the author's book, "Merging Lines." His narrative flows like high-speed freight train over a well constructed and expertly run railroad. One does not have to a professional railroader or a financial genius to both follow and enjoy this effort.

[Bob Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look a the Labor, political, and corporate world of North American railroads. This book covers in detail the life (and in some cases death) of Class 1 railroads, from the ashes of the Penn Central to current dominance of the current mega Railroads.