Synopses & Reviews
It's remarkable to consider that, not that long ago, a good chunk of American commerce was carried out by huge steam-powered leviathans. Even as the Interstate and jet engines were revolutionizing the way people traveled and shipped goods, steam locomotives continued to toil across North American rails. Of course, steam locomotives weren't long for this world. Today, they may be mostly gone, but they're far from forgotten--railfan interest in steam power remains keen. In The Twilight of Steam, acclaimed rail author and photographer Brian Solomon gathers some of the greatest black-and-white photography from well-known rail photographers who were plying their trade trackside in the years when steam was fading from the rail scene. Gorgeous large-format images show famed steam locomotive types at work and at rest all over the U.S. and Canada. From the high plains to mountain passes, from city stations to scrapyards, these evocative images capture an historical era of railroading. To add context, the photographs are accompanied by the recollections of many of the photographers represented, while detailed captions provide information about the locomotives and scenes pictured. While successful monographs have previously presented the work of acclaimed rail photographers, none have provided a survey representing a range of operations and regions quite like this collection. The Twilight of Steam is an essential addition to the bookshelf of any serious railfan.
Review
"The big volume (10x12 inches, 192 pages) is a black-and-white photographer's dream. Solomon introduces each chapter (arranged geographically) with recollections of the photographers themselves. Captions for each image are clear and precise, with a full index of photo thumbnails and more details on how, when and why the exposure was made.
Those of us who were chasing the last of steam at the time can certainly relate to what Solomon has assembled. Others less fortunate can relate nearly as well, thanks to the superb photographic reproduction and thoughtful text. No serious student of the industry can afford to be without it." - Railroad Week In Review
Synopsis
A beautiful retrospective of American steam locomotives in their final years, featuring photography and recollections of the men who documented the end of the steam age.
About the Author
Brian Solomon is one of today’s most accomplished railway historians. He has authored more than 30 books about railroads and motive power, and his writing and photography have been featured in Trains, Railway Age, Passenger Train Journal, and RailNews. Solomon divides his time between Monson, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland.Brian Solomon is the author of more than 40 books on locomotives and railroading. He splits his time between Monson, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland.