Chessie System (MBI Railroad Color History) - Hardcover

Ori, Dave

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0760323399 ISBN 13: 9780760323397

Publisher: Voyageur Press, 2006

Synopsis

In 1972 three great railroads-the Chesapeake & Ohio, the Baltimore & Ohio, and the Western Maryland-joined forces as the Chessie System, their diesel engines resplendent in a brilliant new yellow, blue, and vermillion scheme sporting the stylized "Chess-C" logo based on the C&O's familiar mascot, Chessie the kitten. The story of the Chessie System, unique in railroad history, unfolds in all its grit and glory in this book about a rail operation that combined the best of tradition and innovation to a remarkable. Dave Ori traces the railroad s origins from the first affiliation of the B&O and C&O in the early 1960s to the inclusion of the WM a decade later securing routes that spanned the Northeast and Midwest. He also examines the Chessie System itself, from the details of its operating divisions, major facilities, diesel fleet, and intermodal operation to the technological advances that distinguished its reign and its integration in the vast CSX system in 1987.This is the story of the Chessie System, the remarkable rail operation created of the merger of three great railroads the refined Chesapeake & Ohio, the once mighty Baltimore & Ohio, and the small but feisty Western Maryland in 1972. The book traces the railroad s origins from the first affiliation of the B&O and C&O in the early 1960s to the inclusion of the WM a decade later, before examining the Chessie System itself, from the details of its operating divisions, major facilities, diesel fleet, and intermodal operation, to the technological advances that distinguished its reign, to its integration in the CSX system in 1987

About this title

Review

'Chessie System' is an apt description of the railroad's operations throughout its short existence. The first two (of five) chapters detail the road's history as well as that of its predecessors. The last three chapters cover operations detailing operating divisions, physical plant, and train movement. Also included in the final chapter is a brief overview of Chessie's locomotive roster. The text is nicely done and covers many aspects of the road's operations. This book's stumbling block, however, is its production. Photo reproduction is fair, at best. Some of the photos seem fuzzy and some seem to have colors that are off. Given the advancement of photography by the Chessie era and the development of computerized publishing prior to the book's printing, this is very disappointing. Also disappointing is the locomotive roster; hardcore diesel fans will find it woefully inadequate. Considering the discounted price this book sells for the overall package is a good deal, in spite of its flaws. --Railohio

The Chessie System book is everything I thought it would be and more. I found in it information I had been looking for to use in some book projects of my own including two on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad alone. This book is a gold mine of information about the Chessie System and containes information you won't find in the employee timetables. It complements a Chessie System timetable collection very nicely. --James Mancuso

From the Back Cover

Formed as a holding company in 1972, the Chessie System remains one of the most unique stories in American railroad history. Created from three great railways—the mighty Baltimore & Ohio, the refined Chesapeake & Ohio, and the small but feisty Western Maryland—the Chessie was most renowned (aside from its stylized take on the C&O’s kitten logo) for its innovations and advanced technologies. This history of the railroad traces its origins from the first affiliation of the B&O and C&O in the early 1960s, to the inclusion of the WM a decade later and the 1980 merger with Seaboard Coast Line, before launching into an examination of the Chessie System itself. Highlights include coverage of the Chessie’s operating divisions, major facilities, diesel fleet, and its 1987 integration into CSX Transportation.

Edition details

• Publisher: Voyageur Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0760323399
• ISBN 13: 9780760323397
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160