Twilight of the Great Trains, expanded edition (Railroads Past and Present)

In the years following World War II, a potent combination of new prosperity, a renewed love affair with the automobile, improved highways, and the availability of commercial air travel contributed to the dwindling number of rail travelers. By the 1960s, rail passenger service had become an endangered species in an unfriendly environment. Fred W. Frailey recounts the demise of the pre-Amtrak passenger train in Twilight of the Great Trains. Drawing upon a lifetime of experience as a reporter and editor, Frailey uncovers the reasons behind the disappearance of these great trains and explains how 11 railroad systems withstood or welcomed, fought or embraced the inevitable decline of their passenger services. Stimulating and informative, this book offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most challenging eras in American railroad history.

Missing from the narrative is a detailed discussion of government funding policies which heavily favored air and auto travel while excluding trains entirely. This was a major factor in the loss of passenger rail service in this country, for the trains were essentially trying to compete against government-built highways and airports.


Well written and informative book   July 3, 2002
Get What We Give (Georgia)
3 out of 6 found this review helpful

If you love trains and/or model trains, then you will really find this book informative and engaging. It chronicles the demise of the passenger train as THE method of long distance transportation to the not often used method of long distance travel it is today.


The Best Book in the World!   May 1, 2000
Liz
3 out of 9 found this review helpful

Twilight of the Great Trains is the world's best book! It is descriptive and brilliant! Fred W. Frailey is an inspiring and amazing author! I would recomend this to the young and old and to train lovers and non-train lovers!


One of the best "Passenger Trains in the '60's" books   January 26, 2000
D. B. Hendrix (Charlotte, North Carolina)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

This is probably the best book I have ever read on the "downfall" of the post WWII passenger trains. I was particularly impressed with the coverage of the Southern and Seaboard Coast Line, since I "lived" the downfall. Factually correct in all respects.