<p><b>A fascinating history of railroad development on every continent.</b></p><p>At one point railroads were the most important form of transport in the world, responsible for opening up vast areas to settlement and industry. With the threat of global warming and a potential energy crisis looming, rail transportation is experiencing a welcome resurgence.</p><p><i><b>The Historical Atlas of World Railroads</b></i> charts the rise, fall and revival of railroads over the past 200 years, from the earliest experiments with wooden rails and horse-drawn wagons, through the rail-building boom of the steam age, to the onset of the modern high-speed lines, diesel-electric locomotives and electric tilting trains of today.</p><p>This comprehensive analysis and history covers:</p><p><ul><li>The development of passenger and freight coaches and locomotives</li><li>How railroads and their infrastructures are built and operated</li><li>The development of rail types</li><li>The construction of tunnels and bridges</li><li>The latest advances in signaling technology, safety systems and freight-handling techniques and equipment.</li></ul></p><p>Packed with archival photographs and high-quality color maps, <i><b>The Historical Atlas of World Railroads</b></i> brings history to life by revealing all aspects of rail transportation and technology.</p>