The Electric Interurban Railways in AmericaOne of the most colorful yet neglected eras in American transportation history is re-created in this definitive history of the electric interurbans. Built with the idea of attracting short-distance passenger traffic and light freight, the interurbans were largely constructed in the early 1900s. The rise of the automobile and motor transport caused the industry to decline after World War I, and the depression virtually annihilated the industry by the middle 1930s. Part I describes interurban construction, technology, passenger and freight traffic, financial history, and final decline and abandonment. Part II presents individual histories (with route maps) of the more than 300 companies of the interurban industry. Reviews "A first-rate work of such detail and discernment that it might well serve as a model for all corporate biographies. . . . A wonderfully capable job of distillation." Trains "Few economic, social, and business historians can afford to miss this definitive study." Mississippi Valley Historical Review "All seekers after nostalgia will be interested in this encyclopedic volume on the days when the clang, clang of the trolley was the most exciting travel sound the suburbs knew." Harper's Magazine "A fascinating and instructive chapter in the history of American transportation." Journal of Economic History "The hint that behind the grand facade of scholarship lies an expanse of boyish enthusiasm is strengthened by a lovingly amassed and beautifully reproduced collection of 37 photographs." The Nation |
Contents
The Technology of the Interurbans | 65 |
Passenger Traffic | 97 |
Freight Traffic | 119 |
The Interurbans and Government Regulation | 149 |
Finance | 185 |
The Decline of the Industry | 213 |
The Decision to Abandon | 240 |
240 | 433 |
Common terms and phrases
box motors branch building built carload freight cent Central Chicago Cincinnati Cincinnati Car Company City Cleveland Columbus Commission completed connection Dayton discontinued east Eastern Elec electric lines Electric Railway electrified equipment extension fares Fort Wayne Fostoria freight business freight service Illinois Traction Indiana Railroad Indianapolis industry inter interchange interurban interurban lines Lake Erie Lake Shore Electric lightweight cars line was abandoned main line major Michigan mileage miles Milwaukee motor North Shore Ohio operated pany passenger service Pennsylvania Power Company private right-of-way rail rates revenue right-of-way River route Sacramento Northern Shore Line South South Shore Line Southern Springfield steam roads street railway Street Railway Journal street running streetcar suburban lines Terminal terurban THI&E third rail tion Toledo towns Trac track trackage Traction Company traffic trains trolley lines truck typical Union Traction Union Traction Company urban Valley Washington Baltimore Wayne West Western York