Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars A True Gem
I had read a review on this book and thought it might be a nice addition to my railroad library, so I jumped onto Bolo 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.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good overview of steam locomotive history.
A very good book, not as technical as I expected, but excellent. The author allows his personal opinions to interfere with some of his evaluations on locomotive performance and design. Like his view that the H-8 Allegheny was somehow a mistake despite the C&O buying them in quantity and using them to the end of steam. The one thing I do not understand is how the description of the Detroit Diesels that powered EMD's locomotives for many years is described as not having any exhaust valves. The fact is that the Detroit two strokes have 4 poppet exhaust valves and used a piston port design to handle the intake.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book.
I really enjoy this book. It is a great historical account of design enhancements in the Steam Locomotives.I find myself imagining being back in the late 1800's and early 1900's and what it must have been like to be one of the great railroad builders of the time. Participating in highly opinionated debates about efficiency and heat and wheels and cylinders and springs and why the smallest things make a difference. Speed and safety, water and coal, types of coal and designs to optimize for these types of things. WOW!What amazes me most, is that this information could be very dry and boring depending on its presentation, but this book is readable, understandable, and enjoyable, not boring at all!
5.0 out of 5 stars A definitive reference written as an interesting story
Anyone who is serious about railroads and their history appreciates a good source of information that is factual and understandable. There have been many bench mark books written over the years on all manner of subjects that pertain to railroading. This volume should be included with them.American Steam Locomotives: Design and Development, 1880–1960 by Bill Withuhn is a tutorial on the reasoning and science as it pertains to how Steam locomotive designs were changed, grew to massive proportions and what worked and what did not. The history starts at the turn of the 1900s and explores the high points of that era and subsequently details the process of improvement that occurred following this to the end of mainline steam operations. Detailed explanations of what worked and why or how it compared to older designs are offered and while the author did not get caught up in the minute details and mathematics of the physics and engineering involved sufficient technical information is included for the essential understanding of this to be made understandable by the reader.If you are serious about the steam era of railroading and want to the genesis of the designs of locomotives that came into prominence this volume would be exactly what you are looking for. It is an easy read and contains enough information that I have started reading it again just so I can glean a little more. I cannot recommend this book more highly.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Comprehensive Review of Design and Development
This book has a wealth of information - sometimes a little too detailed. There are a few areas where it would be easier to understand if photos or diagrams were used, but getting past that minor difficulty, I learned a great deal about steam locomotives and their limitations. I knew maintenance was a problem, but I had no idea how big of a problem it was. And I was not aware that counterbalancing was so difficult. I only wish they had today's computers in 1930-1940. The book takes the reader from early steam through the 1940's. This is a very intense book and I think it is a must for those seriously interested in how steam locomotives were designed and how they performed in service.
Good book
I bought this for someone else. It looks vey good technical and also interesting.
A very comprehensive account of the subject
I could only find one mistake in the whole book. Churchward's Stars were not compounds, Churchward never built a single compound locomotive. However, he did buy three compound locomotives from France for testing against his own locomotives. These three French locomotives greatly influenced his Star class but the latter were not compounds. Otherwise a fascinating and detailed account of American steam locomotive development.
Großartiges Buch über die Entwicklung der modernen Dampflokomotive in USA von einem Insider
Das Buch verlangt einiges an Englischkenntnissen, aber die Lektüre ist dann lohnend, wenn man sich für die moderne Entwicklungsgeschichte der US Dampfloks interessiert. Der Autor war selbst Lokführer auf großen Museumsdampfloks in den USA. Dies wird immer wieder deutlich, wenn der Autor aus der Praxis des Lokpersonals berichten kann. Ganz außerordentlich interessant sind auch die Informationen aus Interviews und Gesprächen, die der Autor mit älteren und auch bedeutenden Leuten aus der Branche geführt hat. Für mich war dieses Buch die größte Wissenserweiterung zum Thema seit einigen Jahren. Zusätzlich spart der Autor auch nicht mit Kritik zu den anderen einschlägigen Standardwerken der US Dampflokomotiven. Man kann sich so gut eine eigene Meinung bilden und bereits gelesene Bücher neu bewerten.
Progressive design development of North American locomotives 1880-1960
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.
An outstanding piece of research and writing about a key period in railroad history.
This is an amazing and insightful study of the development of steam locomotives in North America, by William Withuhn, former curator at the Smithsonian Insitution. It summarizes in understandable language the technology and its developments in the prime years of steam utilization on North American railroads. The book also explains the challenges and limitations that were so much a part of the refinement of steam power and why, ultimately, it was replaced by diesels. Moreover, there are many insights into the individuals and companies that were central to this story. The book is also very nicely designed and produced and it is extensively referenced. It is a wonderful credit to the author, William Withuhn and the publisher, Indiana Univ. Press, in cooperation with the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society.
Visit the Indiana University Press Store
American Steam Locomotives: Design and Development, 1880–1960 (Railroads Past and Present)
AED29372
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Order today to get by
Free delivery on orders over AED 200
Imported From: United States
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Visit the Indiana University Press Store
American Steam Locomotives: Design and Development, 1880–1960 (Railroads Past and Present)
AED29372
Quantity:
Order today to get by
Free delivery on orders over AED 200
Imported From: United States
At bolo.ae, we stand behind the authenticity and quality of every product we sell. We guarantee that all items offered on our website are 100% genuine, sourced directly from authorized distributors, trusted partners, or the original brands themselves.
We do not sell counterfeit, replica, or unauthorized goods. Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support . We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, including images, descriptions, and reviews, is provided by third-party vendors. bolo.ae is not responsible for any claims, promotions, or representations made within product content or images. For more accurate or detailed product information, please contact the manufacturer directly or reach out to Bolo Support.
Unless otherwise stated during checkout, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
bolo.ae operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars A True Gem
I had read a review on this book and thought it might be a nice addition to my railroad library, so I jumped onto Bolo 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.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good overview of steam locomotive history.
A very good book, not as technical as I expected, but excellent. The author allows his personal opinions to interfere with some of his evaluations on locomotive performance and design. Like his view that the H-8 Allegheny was somehow a mistake despite the C&O buying them in quantity and using them to the end of steam. The one thing I do not understand is how the description of the Detroit Diesels that powered EMD's locomotives for many years is described as not having any exhaust valves. The fact is that the Detroit two strokes have 4 poppet exhaust valves and used a piston port design to handle the intake.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book.
I really enjoy this book. It is a great historical account of design enhancements in the Steam Locomotives.I find myself imagining being back in the late 1800's and early 1900's and what it must have been like to be one of the great railroad builders of the time. Participating in highly opinionated debates about efficiency and heat and wheels and cylinders and springs and why the smallest things make a difference. Speed and safety, water and coal, types of coal and designs to optimize for these types of things. WOW!What amazes me most, is that this information could be very dry and boring depending on its presentation, but this book is readable, understandable, and enjoyable, not boring at all!
5.0 out of 5 stars A definitive reference written as an interesting story
Anyone who is serious about railroads and their history appreciates a good source of information that is factual and understandable. There have been many bench mark books written over the years on all manner of subjects that pertain to railroading. This volume should be included with them.American Steam Locomotives: Design and Development, 1880–1960 by Bill Withuhn is a tutorial on the reasoning and science as it pertains to how Steam locomotive designs were changed, grew to massive proportions and what worked and what did not. The history starts at the turn of the 1900s and explores the high points of that era and subsequently details the process of improvement that occurred following this to the end of mainline steam operations. Detailed explanations of what worked and why or how it compared to older designs are offered and while the author did not get caught up in the minute details and mathematics of the physics and engineering involved sufficient technical information is included for the essential understanding of this to be made understandable by the reader.If you are serious about the steam era of railroading and want to the genesis of the designs of locomotives that came into prominence this volume would be exactly what you are looking for. It is an easy read and contains enough information that I have started reading it again just so I can glean a little more. I cannot recommend this book more highly.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Comprehensive Review of Design and Development
This book has a wealth of information - sometimes a little too detailed. There are a few areas where it would be easier to understand if photos or diagrams were used, but getting past that minor difficulty, I learned a great deal about steam locomotives and their limitations. I knew maintenance was a problem, but I had no idea how big of a problem it was. And I was not aware that counterbalancing was so difficult. I only wish they had today's computers in 1930-1940. The book takes the reader from early steam through the 1940's. This is a very intense book and I think it is a must for those seriously interested in how steam locomotives were designed and how they performed in service.
Good book
I bought this for someone else. It looks vey good technical and also interesting.
A very comprehensive account of the subject
I could only find one mistake in the whole book. Churchward's Stars were not compounds, Churchward never built a single compound locomotive. However, he did buy three compound locomotives from France for testing against his own locomotives. These three French locomotives greatly influenced his Star class but the latter were not compounds. Otherwise a fascinating and detailed account of American steam locomotive development.
Großartiges Buch über die Entwicklung der modernen Dampflokomotive in USA von einem Insider
Das Buch verlangt einiges an Englischkenntnissen, aber die Lektüre ist dann lohnend, wenn man sich für die moderne Entwicklungsgeschichte der US Dampfloks interessiert. Der Autor war selbst Lokführer auf großen Museumsdampfloks in den USA. Dies wird immer wieder deutlich, wenn der Autor aus der Praxis des Lokpersonals berichten kann. Ganz außerordentlich interessant sind auch die Informationen aus Interviews und Gesprächen, die der Autor mit älteren und auch bedeutenden Leuten aus der Branche geführt hat. Für mich war dieses Buch die größte Wissenserweiterung zum Thema seit einigen Jahren. Zusätzlich spart der Autor auch nicht mit Kritik zu den anderen einschlägigen Standardwerken der US Dampflokomotiven. Man kann sich so gut eine eigene Meinung bilden und bereits gelesene Bücher neu bewerten.
Progressive design development of North American locomotives 1880-1960
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.
An outstanding piece of research and writing about a key period in railroad history.
This is an amazing and insightful study of the development of steam locomotives in North America, by William Withuhn, former curator at the Smithsonian Insitution. It summarizes in understandable language the technology and its developments in the prime years of steam utilization on North American railroads. The book also explains the challenges and limitations that were so much a part of the refinement of steam power and why, ultimately, it was replaced by diesels. Moreover, there are many insights into the individuals and companies that were central to this story. The book is also very nicely designed and produced and it is extensively referenced. It is a wonderful credit to the author, William Withuhn and the publisher, Indiana Univ. Press, in cooperation with the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society.
Similar suggestions by Bolo
More from this brand
Similar items from “History”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/U0253039339