Product Review

From quaint wooden trestles to graceful arched viaducts, railroad bridges are necessary parts of the North American railroading landscape. This photographic history of North American railroad bridges features chapters on major types of construction: viaducts (both stone arches and steel construction), cantilever, suspension, and truss bridges. In addition to explaining the different types of construction and why they are used, author Brian Solomon offers the histories of the origins and construction of structures that are iconic within the railroading community--like Hell Gate in Queens, New York, and the Hill Bridge in Minneapolis--as well as lesser known but railroad bridges. In addition, he also discusses landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge that no longer conduct rail traffic. The book is illustrated throughout with archival black-and-white photos, as well as modern color photography depicting railroads large and small hauling traffic across bridges throughout the continent.