Don Ball Jr. (1938–1986)

This is basically a picture book, full of excellent black and white pictures of the 1940s, but it also contains very good explanatory text. The period of World War II was an interesting one for US railroads and this book gives it a lot of attention. In fact this is what, for me, makes it different from the run of the mill "Steam trains of the (name your decade)" titles.

The author might have spent his time better doing most anything besides writing this work. The topic is partially at fault for the railroads no longer provided the glamor they did previously. This is more of a utilitarian book about the more mundane parts of railroading. The narrative is informative but it is done very drily. The author might have strengthened the book had he spent some time on the economic pressures on the railroads and the pressures on the executives that allowed the show more railroads to spiral downward. Of course, the interstate highway system impacted the railroads and private autos were devastating but these should have been foreseen, and they weren't. show less

A good read showing what was going on in the US during World War II, at least as far as the railroads and how they adapted. The photographs are consistent with Don Ball's other books. I wish there had been more text around the context. This is what I found most interesting.

A great general book covering railroading in the United States in the 40's, 50's and early 60's. A great collection of color photos and a good intro to Don's other railroad books. The original issue has better photo reproduction. The 1980 re-issue has some photos where the color laydown of colored inks did not quite align, blurring the photos.