Traction Titles

When Eastern Michigan Rode the Rails
by Schramm, Henning, and Andrews

When Eastern Michigan Rode the Rails, Book 4 is dedicated to streetcar and interurban operations south from Detroit to Wyandotte, Monroe and Toledo plus the Monroe Piers operation and connecting interurban lines at Toledo including a detailed history of the Toledo & Western.

A special section covers systemwide freight service on the Detroit United Railway. Then we cross the river for a look at the neighboring trolley and interurban lines in the Windsor area. Included is the Sandwich, Windsor & Amherstburg Railway, Windsor streetcars, and the Windsor, Essex and Lake Shore Railway. Bus operations are also covered. The book ends with a review of nearly 20 small and little-known industrial railroads in the Detroit area and the equipment they operated.

When Eastern Michigan Rode the Rails, Book 4 is hardbound with 230 pages, more than 345 photographs, and 40 other illustrations. It includes a dust jacket with an attractive illustration.

ISBN 0-933449-23-2 ...............$59

Traction in Franklin County Vermont
St. Albans Street Railway
St. Albans & Swanton Traction Co.
by James R. McFarlane

This book covers the life and times of the St. Albans Street Railway and its successor the St. Albans and Swanton Traction Company. These companies were unusual because of their geographic location. Located in the beautiful resort area of northern Vermont, not far from the Canadian border, this line was isolated and far removed from the normal New England trolley and Midwest interurban.

Instead of meeting a mainline railroad train, the cars from this electric line met excursion boats at the St. Albans Bay Dock, and then ran to St. Albans and Swanton. In addition to passengers, this line carried many kinds of express and freight. U.S. Mail, hay, coal, kegs of beer, fruit, groceries, grain, feed and even ice were transported on this railway.

Softbound with 48 pages and more than 55 photographs plus a detailed track map, mileage table, equipment roster and bibliography.

ISBN 0-933449-21-6 ...............$16.50

Breezers
A Lighthearted History of the Open Trolley Car in America
by Stephen L. Myers

This book is a definitive yet nostalgic history of the open trolley car in America. It starts out with other open transportation vehicles that preceded or were contemporary with the open trolley car. Several chapters are devoted to listing and defining the various types of open cars including the original horsecars, numerous types of streetcars, and even open rapid transit and suburban cars. The different generic types of cars as well as their uses and owners are explained in a simple manner.

Highlights of the book include the detailed text and information on cars and types assembled from numerous and varied contributors. Equally impressive are the numerous photographs, many never previously printed, from the author's collection as well as from several well-known photographers and collections.

Hardbound with 184 pages, more than 210 photographs and illustrations.

ISBN 0-933449-20-8 ...............$56

Days of the North Shore Line
by George V. Campbell

In his formative years, author George V. Campbell lived adjacent to the Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad, which operated high speed electric interurban and commuter service and became known as the "Midwest's favorite interurban." Many different topics are covered in this volume including some interesting new information on the early years of the North Shore Line. One large chapter is dedicated to many details on city streetcar operations in Waukegan and Milwaukee. In another chapter, George takes us on an early-day North Shore charter from Milwaukee to Rockford. Early and unusual schedules are reviewed, and photos are included showing the Electroliners under construction. In other areas, this book explores the North Shore Line's little-remembered model railroad display, the Shore Line abandonment and numerous other topics.

Hardbound with 256 pages, 287 photos, 9 maps, 55 other illustrations and a special colorful dust jacket illustration by Chuck Boie.

ISBN 0-933449-01-1 ...............$38

Sunset Lines - The Story of the Chicago Aurora & Elgin Railroad
1 - Trackage
by Larry Plachno

This represents the first book in a three-volume series that will provide a detailed history and review of the Chicago Aurora & Elgin Railroad and related corporations. For more than 50 years this interurban operated mile-a-minute schedules west from Chicago to the suburbs of DuPage County and cities in the Fox River Valley. This first volume introduces the three-book series and covers CA&E routes and trackage in detail. The company route structure is split into 10 logical segments and each is covered with text, track maps and photographs. Included are sections on Chicago's Wells Street Terminal, the Cook County branch, the double track mainline, and the single track branches to Elgin, Geneva, Batavia and Aurora in the Fox River Valley. The book ends with a pictorial section that includes several color photographs.

Hardbound with 160 pages, more than 190 photos and 10 detailed track maps.

ISBN 0-933449-02-X .........$36

Sunset Lines - The Story of the Chicago Aurora & Elgin Railroad
2 - History
by Larry Plachno

Volume two in the CA&E series provides a detailed historical review of the company. Following a general chronological sequence, the book painstakingly leads the reader through the successes, trials and tribulations of this unique interurban starting from earlier and unsuccessful attempts to build interurbans in the area and ending with track removal in 1963. Highlights include details of the early years when the company was regarded as an impressive industry leader. The political, expressway and financial problems of the final years are extremely well documented. Separate chapters cover the contributions of Dr. Thomas Conway Jr. and Samuel Insull. A final chapter reviews the various causes leading to abandonment and the possibility of resumption of service into downtown Chicago.

Hardbound with 352 pages, 320 photos, 21 other illustrations and a multi-color dust jacket illustration.

ISBN 0-933449-10-0 ..........$64

The Longest Interurban Charter
by Larry Plachno

On Tuesday, May 10, 1910, a group of 21 businessmen boarded a chartered interurban car and set off on a trip that could only be described as an adventure. They traveled 2,000 miles, all on various electric railways, on a route including 28 different interurban lines plus numerous streetcar lines in six states.

This trip still retains two all-time records: the longest charter of an interurban car and the longest continuous travel by electric railway in the United States.

This book presents a day-by-day description of the route and activities of the trip itself. Also included is information on preparations for the trip, details on the modifications made to the special interurban car used, disposition of the special car, and notes on other long distance interurban trips.

Perfectbound with 96 pages, more than 90 photographs, three route maps and information on the interurban lines covered.

ISBN 0-933449-08-9 ...............$16

Interstate
A History of Interstate Public Service Rail Operations
by Jerry Marlette

This book is organized by topic as opposed to chronological format. Major sections cover Interstate's component company histories; rights-of-way; terminals; barns and freight houses along the line; information on passenger and freight equipment; and details about its innovative safety programs. A comprehensive corporate family tree follows the major changes and helps to illustrate the evolution of the company. Content is not limited solely to Interstate Public Service but has expanded coverage to include both the predecessor and successor companies.

The appendix provides valuable information and statistics. Included is a section offering data about Interstate's predecessor companies. A detailed track map provides mileages between sidings, stops, stations, etc. Timetables, tickets and transfers are also included.

Hardbound with 272 pages, 428 photos, 42 maps and charts, 37 tickets and tokens and 22 other illustrations.

ISBN 0-933449-07-0 ...............$48

Green Spring Accommodation
by Martin K. Van Horn and Robert L. Williams

Located north and west of Baltimore, the Green Spring Branch is one of the earliest and most historical railroad lines in the United States. Originally completed in 1832 using iron strap rail, the trains were initially pulled by horses. In subsequent years, the line went through the usual transition to steam locomotives, doodlebugs and finally diesel power.

Although operated as a typical branch line, the Green Spring Branch did have a brief taste of mainline glory when the improvement of tunnels in Baltimore diverted heavy traffic over the line. In later years, passenger service declined to doodlebugs and then the line became a diesel freight only operation until abandonment and a period as a host to a railroad museum.

Softbound with 120 pages, more than 55 photos, in excess of 65 maps and other illustrations.

ISBN 0-933449-24-0 ...............$24

The Public Service Trolley Lines in New Jersey
by Edward Hamm, Jr.

Grouped by divisions, information is presented on each line including its history, route, cars and equipment, schedules, signage, car house and final abandonment. In most cases the author provides a complete track map along with photos taken on each line. Approximately 150 totally new maps were drawn by the publisher. The book contains 10 chapters plus a section which covers the complete car rosters. Chapter one gives a brief history of the Public Service Corporation while introducing the subject matter of the book. Chapters two through seven cover the individual lines in each of the six divisions. Chapter eight provides information on the car houses and storage yards. Chapter nine covers nonrevenue cars and Chapter 10 mentions the ferry boats that helped serve some of the lines.

Hardbound with 400 pages, more than 400 photographs, in excess of 150 maps, and various car diagrams. This book also features a multi-color cover illustration by Chuck Boie.

ISBN 0-933449-29-1 ...............$63

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