Kevin J. Holland

The Steamliners is a well-illustrated technical and general history of the impact of the art deco movement on railroad motive power. The introductory chapter “Winds of Change” gives a concise overview of the growth of the art deco movement with respect to all forms of industrial design and architecture and it provides a brief introduction to the principle actors in that movement whose designs would provide visually stunning head end power to many of the premier passenger trains on many of the major U.S. railroads in the 1930’s.

The second chapter covers the early efforts at streamlined steam engines (the NYC Commodore Vanderbilt of 1934, the NYC Mercury of 1935 and the Milwaukee Road’s Hiawatha and others.), the reaction of the public to these trains, and the ascendancy of the two styles of streamlining steam – the shroud and the “torpedo in the cradle”. Chapter three describes the spread of the streamlining movement to other railroads across the U.S. and the emergence of “streamstyling” – essentially a combination of paint and minimal sheet metal shrouding – which gave a visual impression of streamlining while recognizing the need for ease of access to steam locomotive components for maintenance and repair.

The fourth chapter traces the decline and end of the movement and the fifth chapter is an overview of streamlining efforts in Canada. The last chapter is a collection of painting and color photos of some of the more prominent U.S. streamlined steam locomotives. In addition to being a pleasant read for anyone interested in railroad history I think the book would also appeal to anyone interested in the history and influence of the art deco movement. (Text Length - 155 pages, Total Length - 156 pages.) (Book Dimensions inches LxWxH - 8.75 x .625 x 11.25)… (altro)