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When railways in Britain face drastic
curtailment, it is salutary to see afresh the tremendous part they
played in shaping the world as we know it. Erwin Berghaus first traces
the beginnings of railways and their development in Europe, with proper
emphasis on the importance of the Stephensons and on Europe’s dependence
for its equipment on England, and for the advice of English engineers.
He surveys the colossal feats of engineering achieved with the limited
technical resources of the day, especially in the Alps, and the role of
railways in opening up whole continents, particularly in America, where
their contribution to the national economy was vital. He deals similarly
with each continent, describing the effect of geography on the final
shape of the railways. In other parts of the book, international
trains, speed records, luxury travel and many aspects of the
contemporary scene are examined, together with the ways in which various
countries are adapting their railways to modern conditions. The decline
of steam as the main motive power, and the adoption of diesel or
electric traction according to individual requirements are graphically
described. Although addressed to the general reader, the book
has plenty to offer the serious enthusiast whose railway literature is
so often restricted to the past glories of individual companies; it will
remind him of the great contribution the railways have made (and can
still make) to civilization. In the context of current developments in
Britain it is interesting to learn that in Scandinavia rail, road,
steamer and air services are successfully co-ordinated and that Russia
has plans for large-scale railway development. Such countries will not
countenance curtailment, but regard a comprehensive railway system as an
essential of modern living.
With 83 photographs and many maps, diagrams and drawings. |
