Latest Updates - John R. Signor

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Comment by WPLives:

First edition.

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Comment by WPLives:

Table of Contents:
Introduction, pp. 6-7,
Acknowledgments, pp. 8-10,
Ch. 1: Pioneer, 1863-1900 pp. 11-66,
Ch. 2: Coming of Age, 1900-1929, pp. 67-196,
Ch. 3: The Late Steam Era, 1930-1955 pp. 197-340,
Ch. 4: The Diesel Age, 1955-1981, pp. 341-432,
Ch. 5: The Final SP Years, pp. 433-447,
Epilogue pg. 448,
Appendix: Salt Lake Division Place Names, pp. 449-463,
Bibliography, pp. 464-466,
Index, pp. 467-480.

Signature Press, hardcover with jacket, 480 pages, 8.5x11x1.75 in., 682 photographs (77 in color), 68 maps and graphics, station list, bibliography, index.

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Comment by WPLives:

While many segments of the vast Southern Pacific have attracted wide attention over the years, the lines of the SP in Nevada and Utah have remained largely a mystery.
The stretch from Sparks, Nevada, to Ogden, Utah, was for many years known as the Salt Lake Division.
This Volume is an attempt to trace the long and colorful history of the Southern Pacific Railroad through Nevada and Utah, starting with the pioneer Central Pacific in the 1860s, and continuing on with the vibrant Harriman years after 1900, through Depression and War, and on into the modern era.
Over the years, terminals and railroad towns were built, and many later faded into history.
Engineering and operating challenges were overcome.
Throughout, the traffic, trains and people of the Salt Lake Division continued to change, and all left their mark in some way in the shifting sands and wind-blown passes of this lonely land.
This Volume is by noted Southern Pacific authority John Signor.
As with all his SP historical works, the coverage is thorough and detailed, with many specifics drawn from operating personnel.
Signor has created an original oil painting for the dust jacket and frontispiece.

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Comment by WPLives:

Fascinating and lavishly illustrated history of the Los Angles and Salt Lake Railroad, the Union Pacific's Salt Lake Route.
The author, a noted railroad historian, traces the line from its origins as the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad under Sen. William A. Clark.
The book provides a detailed look at the construction of this and predecessor lines, the extension into Utah's Tintic mining district, construction across the great American desert, trackage rights from the Santa Fe over Cajon Pass, purchase of the Los Angeles Terminal, and establishment of the famed Los Angeles Limited.
E.H. Harriman's role in obtaining a 50% interest in the line and the eventual merger into UP are described, as are the battles with floods in the Meadow Valley Wash and Afton Canyon, freight and passenger operations, dispatching and signaling problems, early dieselization due to water shortages, the Mission style stations, tunnels, bridges, shops and physical plant.
Also covered are service to Zion, Bryce, Cedar Breaks and the Grand Canyon, development of the desert helper district, the discovery of oil on Terminal Island, the coming of the streamliners, branch line operations, electrification of the Glendale line, the effect of World War II, and the arrival of CTC,
Piggyback and container service, and the Day Live Stock service.
All the locomotives are on view -- steam and diesels of every kind, Centennials, U-50s, SD-40s and experimental turbines.
Illustrated throughout with black and white photos and a few color photos.
With numerous maps, timetables.
256 pages.