'This book is both highly educational and a damn good read.' - Sam Burgess, OAM, former chairman Zig Zag Railway 'A fascinating view of railways throughout the world by an Australian railway do-er.' - Mike Mohan, formerly of US Railroader, Southern Pacific Railways and now ARG, Perth Join Tim Fischer, former deputy prime minister of Australia and one of the country's best-known (and most energetic) train enthusiasts, on an entertaining and informative journey to the great railways of the world. From the early days of train travel to the heady international race to develop new railways to the inaugural journey of Australia's new Ghan, Tim explores the successes and the disasters of a mode of transport that still captures the imagination today. Here are tales from Tim's many hundreds of train trips around the world, colourful anecdotes about the characters he's met and the far-flung places he's visited, and descriptions of his twelve greatest stations in the world - as well as enough rail history and technical information to satisfy the most ardent trainspotter.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure across the heartland of America and the breathtaking landscapes of the Canadian wilderness with Erik, a wanderer whose soul finds solace in the rhythmic cadence of train wheels. "Rocky Mountain Railroad Odyssey" weaves a tale of more than just tracks and stations-it's a story of human connection, love, and the unbreakable bond forged on the rails. Erik's passion for train travel takes him through the Midwest, the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains, and along the picturesque West Coast. Yet, amidst the stunning vistas, he grapples with a persistent loneliness that shadows his every mile. It isn't until a chance encounter with the vivacious Candice in Reno, Nevada, that his journey takes a dramatic turn. Together, Erik and Candice embark on thrilling escapades, tracing the historic route of the legendary "Olympian Hiawatha" through the rugged mountains, and find themselves ensnared in the perilous world of the casino mafia. As Erik navigates treacherous terrain, the promise of true love seems distant, leaving him to traverse the solitary roads of his heart. However, fate has other plans. In the town of Jasper, Erik's path intersects with Amelia, a radiant spirit from Edmonton. With her, the sun rises anew in his life, illuminating a path that winds along the Pacific, from the vibrant streets of Vancouver to the sun-kissed shores of San Diego. Their love story blossoms amidst the rhythmic symphony of wheels against tracks. Little do they know, a shadow looms over their idyllic world-a shadow that threatens to eclipse their newfound happiness. "Rocky Mountain Railroad Odyssey" is a captivating blend of travelogue and romance, where the grandeur of legendary trains like the California Zephyr, The Empire Builder, The Canadian, and even the Milwaukee Road become the backdrop for a love story that defies all odds. "Step aboard, and let the journey of a lifetime begin."

The author relates his journey across America aboard passenger trains, recalls the tales of noted figures in the history of American railroading, and highlights adventures and passengers he met along the way

Documents the record-setting, cross-country cycling trip by George Nellis in 1887.

In the nineteenth century, railways were viewed as a symbol of progress and confidence in technological modernity. In the twenty-first century, the frustrations of gridlocked traffic, record-high gas prices, and the looming fears of climate change have transformed the railway system once again into a symbol of hope that provides the possibility of an environmentally sustainable future. In Railway, George Revill examines the technology and politics of railway history, as well as related themes such as mobility, identity, design, marketing, and sustainability. In both practical and symbolic senses the cultural meanings of railways continue to play a role in how people organize and respond to modern environments, social problems, and technologies. Revill draws from art, literature, music, and film to illustrate how the railway carries meaning for all of us—creating connections and separations, detachment and involvement—from the routine commuter to the enthusiast. As Revill shows, railways inform our everyday language—from fast-track to side-track to going off the rails—and continue to fascinate us today. In this wide-ranging and well-illustrated look at railways across the globe, Revill ultimately reveals how central they are to our understanding of modern everyday life.

In Railroad Hall at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Lucy tries to take a photograph of her friends only to find she has become Andrew Russell, preparing to take the famous 1869 photograph of the driving of the golden spike into the last rail of the first Transcontinental Railroad. As she works, she listens to amazing accounts of this engineering feat that linked by rail the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The Book of Andrew takes a young boy named Andrew Engleman from the summer of 1938 through World War Two and the Cold War, including the hot intervals in Korea and Vietnam and the swift expansion of terrorist activity on a global scale that led to punitive incursions into the hotbeds of the Middle East by coalitions of Western powers under the leadership of the United States. It also provides the reader with a glimpse of what the world may be like a few decades hence. The author hopes to promote greater understanding of the historical significance of the Korean War, which has been labeled "The Forgotten War". It was an undeclared war for which none of the belligerent parties, excepting North Korea, was fully prepared at the start. Close to 4.5 million human beings, less than half of whom were in military service, were killed, injured or reported missing during the 37 months and two days of its duration. North Korea, South Korea and China suffered the greatest number of casualties, both military and civilian. The total for the United States alone was 136,826 combatants. The Korean War brought us perilously close to a third world war that almost certainly would have been nuclear. It was the first war in which American infantry units were fully integrated, blacks and whites serving harmoniously together. And it was the only real war to have been fought under the aegis and flag of the United Nations. It stands out as a chapter in the annals of warfare that contains many important lessons for us all. And in this book it is the constant backdrop against which the protagonist's experiences and thought processes are highlighted as they unfold before our eyes.