Railroad Passenger Car : An Illustrated History of the First Hundred Years with Accounts by Contemporary Passengers

Railroad travel in the 19th century was often dangerous, dirty, uncomfortable, & uncertain. Yet most of the inventions associated with the luxury of a later era -- from sleeping cars & dining cars to streamlining & even an early form of air conditioning -- had already made their appearance by the time of the Civil War. Here is a fascinating look at the achievements & contradictions of this key period in railroad history. Here are the weird & ingenious inventions designed to increase both the passengers' comfort & the owners' revenues; & here are the passengers' own comments, both angry & humorous. A detailed & highly entertaining narrative richly illustrated with working drawings, cutaway images, & early photos.ÓMencken, August is the author of 'Railroad Passenger Car : An Illustrated History of the First Hundred Years with Accounts by Contemporary Passengers', published 2006 under ISBN 9781422350652 and ISBN 1422350657.