ALCO Locomotives - Hardcover

Brian Solomon

4.5

12 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0760333386 ISBN 13: 9780760333389

Publisher: Voyageur Press Inc.,U.S., 2009

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Once the second-largest steam locomotive builder in the U.S., American Locomotive Company (Alco) produced 75,000 locomotives, among them such famous examples as the 4-6-4 Hudsons and 4-8-4 Niagaras built for the New York Central, and the 4-6-6-4 Challengers and 4-8-8-4 Big Boys built for the Union Pacific. Alco Locomotives is the first book to tell the full story of this company central to American railroad history—and beloved by railfans for its rich heritage and its underdog appeal. Noted rail historian Brian Solomon looks back at the founding of Schenectady Locomotive Works in 1848 and proceeds to cover that company’s merger with several smaller locomotive builders in 1901 to form Alco. Solomon describes the locomotives that made Alco’s name around the world, from the standard designs like Mikados, Atlantics, and Mallets to the more powerful and flashy post–World War I models. His detailed, richly illustrated narrative re-creates the drama of a tough, ambitious company in the American tradition—rising again and again to the demands of an ever-changing industry and economy.

Solomon also covers Alco electrics (built in partnership with GE), as well as the company’s successful and quirky diesel offerings, including the RS-2 and RS-3 road switchers, FA/FB road freight units, PA road passenger diesel, and the wares of Canadian affiliate Montreal Locomotive Works. Enlivened by numerous historical photographs, modern images, curious details, and firsthand accounts, this history is a complete, fascinating, and fitting tribute to a true icon of American railroading.

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Review:

explores the history of some of America s best known and best loved engines. In the first comprehensive tribute to the American Locomotive Company, railway historian Brian Solomon offers a collection of glorious historic photos and modern colour images together with curious details, firsthand accounts and other unique research to examine the rich heritage of Alco from its magnificent steam-powered Atlantics, Big Boys and Challengers to more recent iconic diesel and electric creations. All these books will delight railfans as well as anyone interested in the history of America. --New Classics, December, 2009

Between 1901 and 1969, Alco locomotives were among the best known in North America. The Book covers both the steam and diesel locomotives built by the company. The auothr starts with steam development, covering the design and development of the 'Mikados' 'Atlantics' 'Mallets' and others and goes on to the post-war giants of the railroads - 'Hudsons' 'Challengers' and 'Big boys'. Moving on to disels the book delas with the range from switchers to the fast passenger express locomotives. As usual, with brian Soloman's books, the phootgtaphy is good and often stunning. At the back of the book there is a good bibliography and an excellent index to help you trace specific subjects. --Model Railway Express, November, 2009

From the Back Cover:

From 1901 to 1969, Alco locomotives were among the best known in North America, often marked by the innovations of some of the industry’s most talented engineers. In this, the first comprehensive tribute to American Locomotive Company, author Brian Solomon offers a collection of high-quality historical photos and modern color images complemented with primary research examining the gamut of Alco locomotives, from steam stalwarts, including Mikados, Atlantics, Mallets, Big Boys, and Challengers, to diesel offerings such as Alco’s pioneering switchers and iconic PA passenger locomotives. For the railfan, Alco combines a rich railroading heritage with a reputation for pushing the envelope of locomotive technology. Here is the fitting tribute to this icon of the American rails.

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