Description
In this photographic history of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway (M&StL), railroad historian Don L. Hofsommer revives the memory of a storied regional railroad.
The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway was created on May 26, 1870, by a group of Minnesota investors interested in establishing a railroad connection between Minneapolis and the agricultural regions to the south. While not flashy, the M&StL served Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and Illinois over nine decades and was essential in opening new territory, providing freight as well as passenger carriage, and employing thousands of people.
Rich in illustrations, this is not just a chronicle of a railroad but also a story and a record of a way of life in the rural upper Midwest. A must-have for readers who fondly remember the Tootin’ Louie as well as rail fans, history buffs, and model railroaders in general.
Review
“This book is first rate in all respects and adds new dimension to the MStL story.”–The Michigan Railfan
“It is a wonderful memory album whose images capture the history and the spirit of a struggling little railroad that fought hard, but lost.”–Trains
“Rich in illustrations, this is not just a chronicle of a railroad but also a story and a record of a way of life in the rural upper Midwest.”–National Model Railroad Association Magazine
“Will appeal to multiple audiences. For some, this photographic essay will provide the means for taking a virtual journey, back to an era when American railroads–passengers and freight–dominated transportation. . . . For others, the illustrations will provide a visual record of the onset and maturation of American industrialization, of which railroads were a key component.”–North Dakota History
“The book is a treasure for anyone — you don’t have to be a fan of the MStL — who relishes good photographs and the drama and atmosphere of midwestern railroading.”–The Annals of Iowa
“You will enjoy the book.”–Plasticville Collectors Association Newsletter
About the Author
Don Hofsommer is a professor of history at St. Cloud State University. He is the author of many books on railroad history, including The Tootin’ Louie: A History of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway, The Great Northern Railway: A History, The Hook & Eye: A History of the Iowa Central Railway, and Minneapolis and the Age of Railways, all published by the University of Minnesota Press.
Details
Contributor(s): Hofsommer, Don L (Author)
ISBN: 0816651329 EAN: 9780816651320
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
Pages: 277
Binding: Paperback
Pub Date: May 01, 2009
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