The Last of Steam

Burbank, California, U.s.a.: Howell-North Books, Incorporated, 1960. Hardcover. Near Fine/Fine. San Diego: Howell-North Books, Incorporated, 1960. Hardcover Near fin, Dust Jacket Fine. Tight, Clean unmarked book. On back DJ inner flap, the lower corner is missing. Oversized. 269 Pages Indexed. The future of steam was a closed issue by 1950 when several of the railroads had already killed the fires in their remaining steam power. This book captures in black and white photographs, the waning years of steam railroading all over the United States. It shows the steam cars rolling in fully glory, eventually to the scrap yard torch. The author chose 300 of what he considered the best of his large photographs to present the story with a minimum of text. The book is divided into 22 different subjects covering the survival of the Union Pacific's Big Boys, the return of the Pennsylvania's rusting steam power to action during traffic peaks, and the Die-Hard Norfolk & Western's stubborn attempt to cling to steam and much more. Joe Collias has been pursuing the perfect pictures of steam railroading since he was 14 and has established himself as one of the most avid and accomplished recorders of steam-railroad lore. . 7th Printing. Hard Back. 8 3/4" X 11 1/4".AB272