I just started reading a book called THE MEN WHO LOVED TRAINS by Rush Loving, Jr. published by Indiana Press. This is an outstanding book, telling of the scandals and trials of the failing northeastern railroads and the actions of the men, administrations, and government in an effort to save railroading from self destruction.

I mainly post this for the likes of Ralph and other PC/CR fans on this board. It is a long read, no photos for the most part, but is extremely interesting. Being a PRR fan myself, I wanted to cry during parts of the book. It also helped my to rewrite the history of railroading in my fictional world where my railroad (the Baltimore and Potomac) coexists with PRR and Chessie. The PRR held onto it's controlling interest in the N&W, while the N&W took over the Virginian and Wabash, bringing them into the PRR family. My B&P and the RF&P are both in PRR control but remain independently operated like the N&W.

The NYC was swallowed by a combined C&O/B&O, while the WM was brought into the fold almost as an afterthought. The Southern was then left to the Dixie roads L&N and SBD/ACL.

I really don't know where I'm going with this post. I have been intrigued ever since I read about how the PRR was forced to sell it's interest in the N&W, and have been wondering what things would have been like if the PRR/NW had not been broken up. Not to mention what if the enemy (NYC) had not been brought into the PRR family, and instead gone to Chessie. Like I said, the book is very interesting reading.

Dave

Thanks for mentioning that book Dave. I haven't read it but will see if I can find it at the library. Some of the content you referred to regarding scandals and the trials of trying to keep Northeastern railroading together sounds similar to parts of "The Wreck of the Penn Central". I like the way you derived some history for your fictional line from the book.

Ralph

I haven't read THE WRECK OF THE PENN CENTRAL but it is on my list of things to do. I also have another book NO WAY TO RUN A RAILROAD that I plan on getting to next. It is all very interesting stuff, and many other railroads are mentioned as being involved or affected by the PC's bankruptcy. It is also interesting to me that the PC is regarded to be merely an act of the PRR taking over the NYC, not a merger of equals. The 1st annual report of the PC actually had 122nd annual report printed on front, as if it were a continuation of the PRR's history, disregarding the "Green team" completely. And the first year of the PC's bankruptcy is regarded as the year the "Standard Railroad of the World" finally fell.

I've read my copy through twice already. Used it for a good chunk of my bachelor's thesis, too. It's a good read, not as technical as Wreck of the Penn Central or The Fallen Colossus, but it makes the story more accessible for the average railfan. I do believe everyone here should have a copy as the story it tells had a major impact on railroading around the country and is largely responsible for the way the industry works now.