All aboard for a ride into railroad history

In this modern age, when travel from place to place often involves

high speed and a pressing need to be there yesterday, it is easy to

forget a mode of transportation that steadily makes its way across

plains, through mountain passes and deep gorges to reach its

destination.

Railroads face this challenge on a daily basis and have done so

for more than 150 years. The Newport Beach Public Library offers a

variety of books and videos that explore the creation, proliferation,

successes and failures of this vitally important link in our

transportation network.

For an excellent overview of the building of the Transcontinental

Railroad, there is “Nothing Like it in the World: The Men Who Built

the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-1869,” by Stephen E. Ambrose.

Ambrose contends that building the railroad was second only to the

abolition of slavery on Abraham Lincoln’s presidential agenda. Author

and historian Albro Martin expands on the history of America’s

railroads, emphasizing their significance in the development of the

United States and defending their enduring importance to American

economic life in his book, “Railroads Triumphant: The Growth,

Rejection, and Rebirth of a Vital American Force.”

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when travel by train

was the primary mode of transportation, the rich and powerful rode in

opulent luxury in privately owned railroad cars. “Mansions on Rails:

The Folklore of the Private Railway Car,” by Lucius Beebe, fondly

recounts this era with anecdotes and interesting prose accompanied by

magnificent photographs and railroad paintings by noted railroad

illustrator Howard Fogg.

The complete story of Orange County’s railroad history is

recounted in the two-volume work, “Rails Through the Orange Groves: A

Centennial Look at the Railroads of Orange County, California” by

Stephen E. Donaldson and William A. Myers. The authors, both Orange

County residents, relate the vivid history of land battles, packing

houses, boom and bust times leading to the current state of the

county’s rail system. Southern California’s railroad system is

further explored in “Southern Pacific -- Santa Fe: Tehachapi,” by

John Signor. The author emphasizes the importance of building the

railway line, which includes an enormous loop to travel the steep

grade, through the Tehachapi Mountains linking to the northern part

of the state. The book includes numerous photographs and maps, which

are useful to train watchers wishing to visit this popular “railfan”

destination.

“The Train-Watcher’s Guide to North American Railroads,” compiled

by George H. Drury, provides a brief corporate history of the more

than 140 railroads that have operated on this continent. The entries

include maps, photographs and bibliographies for each of the

railroads presented.

To be fully appreciated, railroads should be seen and heard. In

the comfort of your own home, you may do this by viewing the various

videos available on trains and train travel. For the history buff,

“Trains” is a collection of authentic archival railway promotional

films. This four-part set provides a unique glimpse into the golden

age of rail travel. “Love Those Trains,” produced by the National

Geographic Society, offers a fond look at railroading from both a

historic and contemporary perspective.

Although born in the 19th century, railroads are still a vital

part of our economy and transportation system as we have moved into

the 21st century. We invite you to come aboard and enjoy these and

other materials on the subject here at the library.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Debra Walker. All titles may be

reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at

https://www.newport beachlibrary.org. For more information on the

Central Library or any of the branch locations, please contact the

Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.