Late CvilleRail Board member, Bill Middleton, publishes Rail Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of North American Railroads
Edited by William D. Middleton, George M. Smerk, and Roberta L. Diehl
CvilleRail Board member Bill Middleton, who recently passed away, published a master reference work on North American Railroads in 2007. Bill was one of the world's most authoritative writers on railroads and travel by rail. Over a sixy-year period, he authored more than 20 books and hundreds of articles about rail and rail travel. The Encyclopedia of North American Railroads can be purchased from Indiana University Press at http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=41110 .
"Lavishly illustrated and a joy to read, this authoritative reference work on the North American continent's railroads covers the U.S., Canadian, Mexican, Central American, and Cuban systems. The encyclopedia's over-arching theme is the evolution of the railroad industry and the historical impact of its progress on the North American continent. This thoroughly researched work examines the various aspects of the industry's development: technology, operations, cultural impact, the evolution of public policy regarding the industry, and the structural functioning of modern railroads. More than 500 alphabetical entries cover a myriad of subjects, including numerous entries profiling the principal companies, suppliers, manufacturers, and individuals influencing the history of the rails. Extensive appendices provide data regarding weight, fuel, statistical trends, and more, as well as a list of 130 vital railroad books. Railfans will treasure this indispensable work."
