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Streamliners: Locomotives and Trains in the Age of Speed and Style
See the streamlined trains of the 1930s in all of their sleek glory. In the 1930s, streamlined styling was applied to everything from kitchen appliances to farm tractors as it captured the American imagination. Keen to regain passenger traffic lost to automobiles and expanding roadways, railroads hired industrial-design giants like Raymond Loewy, Otto Kuhler, Henry Dreyfuss, and Brooks Stevens to produce sleek, futuristic shrouds for locomotives. These streamlined locomotives and trains became the most iconic in American history. Even today, classic designs like stainless-steel Zephyrs, shrouded Hudsons, and EMD E-units remain the popular conception of what a locomotive "looks like." Streamliners : Locomotives and Trains in the Age of Speed and Style explores the historical and scientific context for the development of streamlined locomotives and trains, the designs that became standard-bearers of North American speed and luxury, and the contemporary popularity of the streamlined look in popular culture. Illustrated with rare historical photographs in both black and white and color, as well as period advertising, route maps, and patent design drawings, Streamliners elucidates the story of this fascinating design trend by following the various technologies and styling trends and how they changed the look of American railroading. Profiles of prominent designers and preserved streamliners in use today round out and complete this picture every railfan will want. Streamlining was the product of the last great era of American passenger trains, when elegantly styled, named trains connected cities across the continent on fast schedules. Streamliners thoroughly explores the connections between style, speed, and the rails.
- GenresTrains
208 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2015
367 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 16, 2018
“It was hoped that styling trains to be more like airplanes and automobiles would make them more popular.”
December 29, 2015
Many people believe that streamliners first appeared in the mid 1930’s, while others may consider the McKeen Motor Car of the early 1900’s the start of the streamlined rail era. In this book, Solomon identifies the roots of railroad streamlining with Henry Bessemer’s wind resistance experiments on railway cars in the 1840’s. From that point approximately 170 years ago, he brings us forward through the years to the 1960’s, generally considered the end of the streamliner era. Along the way, he details important contributions of both well known and lesser known individuals, shows how their contributions and improvements built upon what came before, and presents remarkable photos, diagrams, and illustrations of their streamlined railway equipment.
Names such as Raymond Loewy, Edward G. Budd, William R. McKeen Jr., Otto Kuhler, and Henry Dreyfuss are quite synonymous with railroad streamlining. In addition to noting the achievements of these famous individuals, Solomon delves deeper and presents historic details related to those with whom the reader may be less familiar and/or may not realize made contributions to the streamliner movement. In addition to notables such as the aforementioned Henry Bessemer, some of the many important people we learn about include Frederick Upham Adams, William B. Stout, Albert G. Dean, Martin Blomberg, and Mary Coulter. Beyond those directly responsible for design and engineering work, the impacts of railroad leaders on the streamliner movement are also presented. Union Pacific’s Edward Henry Harriman, Burlington’s Ralph Budd, and Southern Pacific’s Angus McDonald are but a few of the executives about whom we learn encouraged and/or promoted the streamliner movement within their companies.
It is important to note to some prospective readers that this is not a “picture” book and there could be disappointment if one is looking for a book filled with photo upon photo of the same models of streamlined steam, diesel and electric locomotives and passenger cars dressed up in various different railroad liveries. That said, this work includes dozens of fantastic photos, illustrations and diagrams to accompany the detailed and engaging historical text. Beyond Solomon’s own photos, this book includes the work of such masters as Jim Shaughnessy, Wallace W. Abbey, and Richard Jay Solomon – the author’s father, plus excellent selections from the collections of Robert A. Buck, Jay Williams, and John E. Pickett. Solomon has once again partnered with prolific author and photographer John Gruber, who contributed a number of biographical essays to the book.
The work concludes with a sampling of where some of the preserved streamlined railroad equipment can be found today. The final chapter identifies several tourist/excursion lines and museums, and both short line and Class I railroads in the United States, where these historic machines are exhibited and/or operated.
“Streamliners – Locomotives and Trains in the Age of Speed and Style” is a must-read for those who want to learn about the history of railroad streamlining and absolutely enjoyable for those with even a passing interest in the subject.
Names such as Raymond Loewy, Edward G. Budd, William R. McKeen Jr., Otto Kuhler, and Henry Dreyfuss are quite synonymous with railroad streamlining. In addition to noting the achievements of these famous individuals, Solomon delves deeper and presents historic details related to those with whom the reader may be less familiar and/or may not realize made contributions to the streamliner movement. In addition to notables such as the aforementioned Henry Bessemer, some of the many important people we learn about include Frederick Upham Adams, William B. Stout, Albert G. Dean, Martin Blomberg, and Mary Coulter. Beyond those directly responsible for design and engineering work, the impacts of railroad leaders on the streamliner movement are also presented. Union Pacific’s Edward Henry Harriman, Burlington’s Ralph Budd, and Southern Pacific’s Angus McDonald are but a few of the executives about whom we learn encouraged and/or promoted the streamliner movement within their companies.
It is important to note to some prospective readers that this is not a “picture” book and there could be disappointment if one is looking for a book filled with photo upon photo of the same models of streamlined steam, diesel and electric locomotives and passenger cars dressed up in various different railroad liveries. That said, this work includes dozens of fantastic photos, illustrations and diagrams to accompany the detailed and engaging historical text. Beyond Solomon’s own photos, this book includes the work of such masters as Jim Shaughnessy, Wallace W. Abbey, and Richard Jay Solomon – the author’s father, plus excellent selections from the collections of Robert A. Buck, Jay Williams, and John E. Pickett. Solomon has once again partnered with prolific author and photographer John Gruber, who contributed a number of biographical essays to the book.
The work concludes with a sampling of where some of the preserved streamlined railroad equipment can be found today. The final chapter identifies several tourist/excursion lines and museums, and both short line and Class I railroads in the United States, where these historic machines are exhibited and/or operated.
“Streamliners – Locomotives and Trains in the Age of Speed and Style” is a must-read for those who want to learn about the history of railroad streamlining and absolutely enjoyable for those with even a passing interest in the subject.
January 22, 2016
This is an extremely beautiful reference book about streamliner passenger trains of the 30s through 60s in America. The author, Brian Solomon, has written many books on trains, and is well versed in the history of passenger railroads. The hardcover book is gorgeous, with a beautiful binding and cover, and many lovely pictures inside. Quite apart from the prose within, this also makes an excellent 'coffee table book.'
The book is arranged mainly chronologically, starting with the early pre-WW II era of experimentation with streamlining steam engines and rail cars, and then describing the transition to diesel and the passenger car refinements such as dome cars and hi-level cars. Solomon covers the historic and famous trains such as the California Zephyr, the Daylight, and the Super Chief, and also the smaller lines that sprouted up all over the country.
As I read through this book, I found myself regretting that the wonderful age of streamlined passenger service run by individual railroads occurred before I was born. The only interstate rail lines I've ever ridden are those run by Amtrak, whose trains are all nearly identical, monotonous, and character-less. I would have loved to unique experience the Santa Fe's El Capitan, or many of the other different railroads from back in the day. It's a shame that era is no more.
For anyone who is a train enthusiast or just a history buff, this is a great book, and well worthy of a place on the reference shelf... or the coffee table.
The book is arranged mainly chronologically, starting with the early pre-WW II era of experimentation with streamlining steam engines and rail cars, and then describing the transition to diesel and the passenger car refinements such as dome cars and hi-level cars. Solomon covers the historic and famous trains such as the California Zephyr, the Daylight, and the Super Chief, and also the smaller lines that sprouted up all over the country.
As I read through this book, I found myself regretting that the wonderful age of streamlined passenger service run by individual railroads occurred before I was born. The only interstate rail lines I've ever ridden are those run by Amtrak, whose trains are all nearly identical, monotonous, and character-less. I would have loved to unique experience the Santa Fe's El Capitan, or many of the other different railroads from back in the day. It's a shame that era is no more.
For anyone who is a train enthusiast or just a history buff, this is a great book, and well worthy of a place on the reference shelf... or the coffee table.
March 15, 2016
This is a gorgeous coffee table-type book with a beautiful binding and many, many photos of the older trains, old advertising and full of fascinating information. I loved this book. It would make a terrific gift for anyone who loves trains. This far exceeded my expectations.
December 14, 2015
Won this wonderful book on Goodreads. I just have to say that this is a greAt reference tool for anyone who loves trains. I have not been able to pry it out of my husband's hands, he reads from it often, and keeps it on his bedside table so he can enjoy it anytime.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews