Faces of Railroading

Rating:
Summary: Train Masters
Review: Author Carl Swanson wisely chose photos from the middle decades of the last century to use in his excellent (and beautifully produced) book. This a visual celebration of a great industry, which in the distant past really did help create America. By the Forties and Fifties the railroads were a mature industry and judging by the photos so were the folks who, day after day, made it all happen. So many of these images show middle aged men, working in a noisy, dirty environment with rugged faces but the professionalism clearly shows. Another reason for using photos from this period is because so many jobs disappeared when steam and passengers faded away.

I thought the choice of photos was excellent, not only the well-known names, like Steinheimer or Winston Link (on pages 134-135 there is an amazing shot of his showing a Norfolk and Western locomotive being overhauled) but also many from company files that will hold your interest. Chapter four, for instance, has some great passenger train interiors from various railroads. Although 'Faces of Railroading' is unusual in not having the usual run-by photos I have a copy of 'Decade of the Trains: the 1940s' by Rogers E M Whitaker and Don Ball (ISBN 0821207598) which has dozens of photos showing railroaders going about their business.

Another reason I like Carl Swanson's book is because it is super to look at. Well printed with big one to a page photos and printed in more than 200dpi, elegant design and typographer (a tip of the hat to art director Kristi Ludwig) makes this book look so superior to the usual transport publisher offering. I wonder if Kalmbach have enough material for a second volume?

Rating:
Summary: Train Masters
Review: Author Carl Swanson wisely chose photos from the middle decades of the last century to use in his excellent (and beautifully produced) book. This a visual celebration of a great industry, which in the distant past really did help create America. By the Forties and Fifties the railroads were a mature industry and judging by the photos so were the folks who, day after day, made it all happen. So many of these images show middle aged men, working in a noisy, dirty environment with rugged faces but the professionalism clearly shows. Another reason for using photos from this period is because so many jobs disappeared when steam and passengers faded away.

I thought the choice of photos was excellent, not only the well-known names, like Steinheimer or Winston Link (on pages 134-135 there is an amazing shot of his showing a Norfolk and Western locomotive being overhauled) but also many from company files that will hold your interest. Chapter four, for instance, has some great passenger train interiors from various railroads. Although 'Faces of Railroading' is unusual in not having the usual run-by photos I have a copy of 'Decade of the Trains: the 1940s' by Rogers E M Whitaker and Don Ball (ISBN 0821207598) which has dozens of photos showing railroaders going about their business.

Another reason I like Carl Swanson's book is because it is super to look at. Well printed with big one to a page photos and printed in more than 200dpi, elegant design and typographer (a tip of the hat to art director Kristi Ludwig) makes this book look so superior to the usual transport publisher offering. I wonder if Kalmbach have enough material for a second volume?

Rating:
Summary: Get your hands dirty running a railroad!
Review: Author Swanson has gathered a wonderful collection of crisp black and white images to tell the story of America's railroaders. We are running the locomotive, out maintaining track and in the dispatcher's office with the men and woman who made it happen. Discover how railroaders did it: introducing standard time to America, train orders and rules, and sometimes just plain muscle and sweat. A poignant tribute to the human side of a most fascinating industry.

Rating:
Summary: Masterful and expertly selected and assembled images
Review: Carl A. Swanson's Faces Of Railroading: Portraits Of America's Greatest Industry is a black-and-white photographic gallery of those who have dedicated their lives and careers to the American railway system. These masterful and expertly selected and assembled images reveal the people who operated (and relied upon) locomotives, luxury passenger trains, tour backshops, and so much more. A brief commentary skims over the history and setting behind these captivating images, in this showcase coffee table book which is very highly recommended -- especially for dedicated railroading buffs.

Rating:
Summary: A Truly Unique Railroading Book
Review: I own many railroading books, but this is the first that focuses on the one aspect of railroading that makes everything work - people. Coupling the unique and interesting photographs with author Swanson's annotations and narratives makes this a book which ought to be part of your collection. This book would also interest anyone who is a professional railroader or has a someone in the family who did work for railroads in the middle of the 20th century. Doug Riddel's writing about his thoughts as a professional railroader complements the authors work very well. I think the value of this book is best summed up in the words of the author: "Through these images we gain a fresh understanding of the enduring dignity of labor." What more can one say?