Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
'this is a history of the technology of electric railways, rather than the railways themselves, but written widely and in a lucid style that is aimed at the general reader.'
-- Grahame Boyes ― Journal of the Railway and Canal Historical SocietyAbout the Author
Michael Ciaran Duffy gained his degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Edinburgh and went on to carry out postgraduate research into strategic technology, American innovation and the electric railway at Victoria University, Manchester. From 1969 to 2001 he lectured in mechanical engineering, history of technology and the role of the engineer in society at the School of Computing and Technology, University of Sunderland. He has published numerous papers on railway engineering, engineering history and philosophy of engineering.
Reviews:
A very comprehensive review of Electric Railway traction
The author gives a very complete treatment of electric railways in the USA, Europe and the UK from their inception in the late 19th century to the present day.He covers all aspects of electrification: power generation itself, the various methods of providing electricity at the track, the electrical technologies involved, control systems, signalling and indeed the integration of all these.As a technical tome (it is published by the Institution of Electrical Engineers) it could have been a very dry book, but in fact it is surprisingly readable. It is organised in chronological chunks that more or less span different stages of technological development, and this makes what would otherwise be a huge subject quite easily digestible. The author clearly has a total command of his subject, and manages to give a lucid and well organised description of 150 years of practice - no mean feat! The book is heavily laden with references, and indeed is an excellent work of reference itself.I do have some criticisms:The illustrations are sparse, and their quality is unacceptably poor. It would benefit from more and higher quality photographs and (see below) from explanatory diagrams of many of the technologies and equipment described.The author assumes that the reader is familiar with the technical aspects of electrification, and hence provides no explanation of the workings of items such as mercury arc rectifiers, ignitrons, field excitation, and so on. Probably this is true for readers who are members of the IEE, but it tends to exclude those do not have a background in heavy electrical engineering.Also the book has a strong UK bias, with most examples and illustrations being drawn from the UK. It mentions repeatedly how 20th century UK practice often lagged behind developments elsewhere, so it seems a pity that these superior technologies don't get a fuller treatment!However don't let these criticisms put you off buying: I enjoyed reading it, learned a lot from it, and the extensive references allow me to pursue particular fields of interest in greater depth.
Visit the The Institution of Engineering and Technology Store
Electric Railways: 1880-1990 (History and Management of Technology)
AED64213
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Order today to get by 7-14 business days
This item qualifies for free delivery
Imported From: United States
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Visit the The Institution of Engineering and Technology Store
Electric Railways: 1880-1990 (History and Management of Technology)
AED64213
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
This item qualifies for free delivery
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
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, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO 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
'this is a history of the technology of electric railways, rather than the railways themselves, but written widely and in a lucid style that is aimed at the general reader.'
-- Grahame Boyes ― Journal of the Railway and Canal Historical SocietyAbout the Author
Michael Ciaran Duffy gained his degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Edinburgh and went on to carry out postgraduate research into strategic technology, American innovation and the electric railway at Victoria University, Manchester. From 1969 to 2001 he lectured in mechanical engineering, history of technology and the role of the engineer in society at the School of Computing and Technology, University of Sunderland. He has published numerous papers on railway engineering, engineering history and philosophy of engineering.
Reviews:
A very comprehensive review of Electric Railway traction
The author gives a very complete treatment of electric railways in the USA, Europe and the UK from their inception in the late 19th century to the present day.He covers all aspects of electrification: power generation itself, the various methods of providing electricity at the track, the electrical technologies involved, control systems, signalling and indeed the integration of all these.As a technical tome (it is published by the Institution of Electrical Engineers) it could have been a very dry book, but in fact it is surprisingly readable. It is organised in chronological chunks that more or less span different stages of technological development, and this makes what would otherwise be a huge subject quite easily digestible. The author clearly has a total command of his subject, and manages to give a lucid and well organised description of 150 years of practice - no mean feat! The book is heavily laden with references, and indeed is an excellent work of reference itself.I do have some criticisms:The illustrations are sparse, and their quality is unacceptably poor. It would benefit from more and higher quality photographs and (see below) from explanatory diagrams of many of the technologies and equipment described.The author assumes that the reader is familiar with the technical aspects of electrification, and hence provides no explanation of the workings of items such as mercury arc rectifiers, ignitrons, field excitation, and so on. Probably this is true for readers who are members of the IEE, but it tends to exclude those do not have a background in heavy electrical engineering.Also the book has a strong UK bias, with most examples and illustrations being drawn from the UK. It mentions repeatedly how 20th century UK practice often lagged behind developments elsewhere, so it seems a pity that these superior technologies don't get a fuller treatment!However don't let these criticisms put you off buying: I enjoyed reading it, learned a lot from it, and the extensive references allow me to pursue particular fields of interest in greater depth.
More from this brand
Similar items from “History”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/U0852968051