Retired academic Heppner arrived in Kingston, Rhode Island, from the West Coast to begin his teaching career at the U. of Rhode Island in 1969. A longtime rail fan and railroad historian, he was immediately fascinated by the charm and distinctiveness of the state's residents and its railroad history, which he shares with readers in this text. While there are a number of excellent books documenting the history of individual railroads in Rhode Island, Heppner's is the first to provide a comprehensive general study of the state's railroads, which include some of the oldest in the US. Illustrated with b&w photographs and maps, the book will be informative for locals and visitors alike. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)