"BIRMINGHAM RAILS, THE LAST GOLDEN ERA" - NEW DIGITAL EDITION!

Description

In the decades following World War II, few American cities better typified the all-American railroad town than Birmingham, Alabama. As the leading industrial and manufacturing center of the New South, the "Magic City" was host to a remarkable variety of railroads, including eight major rail lines and numerous industrial and switching roads. Almost every make and model of steam and diesel motive power could be found operating in and around Birmingham. Gorgeous passenger trains with exotic names like Illinois Central and Central of Georgia's "City of Miami, L&N's "Pan American," Seaboard Air Line's "Silver Comet," Frisco's "Kansas City-Florida Special," and Southern's "Southerner" called on Birmingham's busy Terminal and L&N stations.
For two young rail fans, there was no better place to be than Birmingham in the 1950s and 60s. As teenagers, Marvin Clemons and Lyle Key grew up taking pictures of trains and exploring the Birmingham railroad district.
"Birmingham Rails, The Last Golden Era"
is their story of Birmingham's colorful railroads during a time they've coined "the last golden era."
Published in 2007 in a limited edition of 1,800 copies,
"Birmingham Rails"
was the first illustrated history of Birmingham, Alabama's railroads during the post-World War II era. The limited edition quickly sold out, and in 2009 the book was awarded the prestigious
George Hilton Book Award
by the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society.
Long since out of print, the award-winning book is now available for the first time in a PDF edition. The digital version contains 271 pages of searchable text, with more than 400 high-resolution color and vintage black & white photographs.
Separate chapters cover the history and operations of every Class I, industrial, and short line railroad in the Birmingham District.  Featured photographers include Frank Ardrey, Parker Lamb, David Salter, Dick Sharpless, Hugh Comer, Jim Thorington, Lyle Key, and Marvin Clemons. Entertaining and informative commentary by veteran railroaders tell what is was like to railroad during the post-World War II era. A retrospective "Then and Now" section illustrates the dramatic changes to the Birmingham railroad scene over five decades. Rounding out the content, a series of detailed map panels provide a perspective of featured locations throughout the Birmingham District.
"Birmingham Rails - Digital Edition
"
is supplied on a high-quality USB flash drive for viewing on any computer or device running Windows versions 7 through 10, with the copy-protected flash drive installed.
The book comes with its own licensed PDF reader for viewing in either full or double-page layout, with zoom controls for closeup views.  (The copy-protected book file opens in temporary memory and cannot be printed or saved to any other drive).
Order now with
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, and relive Birmingham's colorful railroad history like you've never seen it before!