Streamliners at Spencer by Benjamin L Bernhart

Description

RailroadTreasures
offers the following item:
Streamliners at Spencer by Benjamin L Bernhart
Streamliners at Spencer by Benjamin L Bernhart
Hard Cover  Reflections from the lights on some photos
79 pages
Copyright 2014
CONTENTS
Introduction 5
Streamliners at Spencer Event 9
The Streamliners 23
Special Photographic Opportunities 63
North Carolina Transportation 72
INTRODUCTION
Streamliner is a word that evokes images of artistic exquisiteness. Yet the word 'streamline' originated not in art but in science. It was first used in the years following the American Civil War as a term physicists used to describe airflow around objects. To streamline an object meant to design it in a smooth manner so as to assist it in traveling through air or water. Applying this principle to rail transportation began in 1930 and '31 when the University of Michigan and Westinghouse Laboratories independently conducted wind tunnel tests on high-speed interurban railcars. It was concluded that a nearly one-third power saving could be achieved by a streamlined design. Railroad officials soon took note of the published reports of these experiments.
Inspired by the scientific inquiry into streamlining, an artistic theory that "form follows function" originated at the Bauhaus School of Design in Germany in 1919. Within six years this philosophy blossomed into Art Deco, defined as the style of decorative art "marked chiefly by geometric motifs, curvilinear forms, sharply defined outlines, often bold colors, and use of synthetic materials."
Within the rail transportation industry at the close of the "Roaring Twenties," the scientific benefits of streamlining began to merge with the Art Deco movement. What followed was, in the opinion of the author and many others, some of the most artistic motive power and trains ever to roam the rails. Based on a 1928 streamlined train model by Norman Bel Geddes, the first streamlined passenger train in the United States, the M-10000, began running on the rails of the Union Pacific Railroad on February 12, 1934. After a lengthy publicity tour, the M-10000 was assigned to the City of Salina, operating between Chicago and the Pacific coast. Following closely behind the M-10000 was Burlington's Pioneer Zephyr. On April 9, 1934, the first of a fleet of stainless-steel streamliners rolled out of the Budd Company plant. Although the UP's M-10000 began operating several months before the Zephyr, the Pioneer Zephyr is considered to be the first successful streamliner. The M-10000 was scrapped in 1942 as part of a World War II metal drive, while the first Burlington Zephyr roamed the rails until 1960 and is preserved in the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.
A giant tidal wave rippled through the rails of America and soon every major railroad was searching for its own identity by means of a streamliner. Streamlining took on a brand new meaning. Its scientific definition transformed into one that encapsulated cutting edge technology, luxury, and a symbol for the advancement of all mankind. Throughout the remainder of the 1930s, designers like Otto Kuhler, Raymond Loewy, Paul Philipe Cret and Henry Dreyfuss were hard at work transforming steam locomotives and passenger trains into pieces of streamlined art.
The first steam locomotive to be given streamlined shrouding was the New York Central Hudson type engine number 5344 in 1934. Once the Dreyfuss-designed shrouding was installed on the engine it was named Commodore Vanderbilt and assigned to the Twentieth Century Limited. Milwaukee Road's Otto Kuhler-designed Hiawatha steam locomotive and cars quickly followed suit.
The Pennsylvania Railroad carried over the notion of streamlining to its electric engines. The most famous streamlined electric was the PRR's GG-1. With the assistance of Raymond Loewy the GG-1 was transformed from a heavy, riveted machine into a sleek, smooth, welded skin art-form. The GG-1 electrics began regular passenger service on February 10, 1935. Other railroads, such as the Virginian and Great Northern, also had electric streamliners.
Trying to utilize the most efficient forms of transport available, the railroads soon began to use diesel engines to replace their aging steam locomotives. Since the diesel manufacturers had incorporated the streamlined concept into their designs, this was a win-win for both industries. The first non-articulated diesel powered passenger train was the Baltimore & Ohio's Royal Blue.
All pictures are of the actual item.  There may be reflection from the lights in some photos.   We try to take photos of any damage.    If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad.  Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
Shipping charges
US Shipments:  Ebay will add .25 each additional items, there are a few exceptions.
Ebay Global shipping charges are shown. These items are shipped to Kentucky and forwarded to you. Ebay collects the shipping and customs / import fees.   Refunds may be issued if you add multiple items to your cart and pay with one payment.    For direct postage rates to these countries, send me an email.   Shipping varies by weight.
Payment options
Payment must be received within 7 days. Paypal is accepted.
Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described.  Contact us first.  No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding.
Thanks for looking at our items.