Showing results for "The Railroad" in Science & Engineering

When Monisha Rajesh announced plans to circumnavigate the globe in 80 train journeys, she was met with wide-eyed disbelief. But it wasn’t long before she was carefully plotting a route that would cover 45,000 miles - almost twice the circumference of the earth - coasting along the world’s most remarkable railways; from the cloud-skimming heights of Tibet’s Qinghai railway to silk-sheeted splendour on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Packing up her rucksack - and her fiancé, Jem, Monisha embarks on an unforgettable adventure.

India was the jewel in the crown of the British Empire. There were vast riches to be exploited and vast numbers of people to be subjugated. How better to achieve these aims than by building a rail network that facilitated the export of raw material and made it easier for troops to travel around the country to tackle uprisings? India joined the railway age late: the first line was not completed until 1853, but, by 1929, 41,000 miles of track served the country.

Experience the thrilling firsthand account of the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862, captured just a year after the daring events unfolded. During the early days of the American Civil War in April 1862, Union volunteers, led by civilian James J. Andrews, embarked on a bold mission to sabotage the Confederate army by targeting the Western and Atlantic Railroad. They commandeered a train named The General from Big Shanty, Georgia, sparking a high-stakes pursuit by Confederate forces on foot and by locomotive. This gripping narrative details the audacious raid and its far-reaching consequences, ...

Embark on an exploration of faith, mindfulness, and personal growth with Conductor: Dwayne Roper on "The Inner Ground Railroad." Dwayne guides listeners on a profound journey towards self-discovery and inspiration.

In this gripping episode, we delve into the compelling narratives that reveal the stark realities of the Underground Railroad. These stories evoke a whirlwind of emotions, from deep indignation to heart-wrenching horror, showcasing the full spectrum of human nature. You will encounter tales of extraordinary heroism and unwavering patience, contrasted against moments of cruelty and selfishness that leave one questioning justice itself. The sheer volume of cases documented is impressive, and the authors straightforward approach allows the facts to resonate powerfully, unembellished by ...

Congratulations on your dedication to uncovering the profound history of the Underground Railroad. This remarkable journey through the pages of history reveals an era filled with gripping tales of courage, adventure, and selflessness in the fight against chattel slavery. William Still, often referred to as the Father of the Underground Railroad, played a crucial role in aiding hundreds of enslaved individuals seeking freedom in Canada. His unwavering commitment to documenting the experiences of these courageous souls has resulted in a work that is not only historically significant but also ...

Railways are one of the most important inventions in modern history. From the 1825 opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in England, trains revolutionized both travel and trade and radically changed the way we experience the world. In the 24 richly illustrated lectures of How Railways Transformed the World, you’ll experience the amazing world and impact of railways, from the early 19th century to today’s futuristic trains, including extensive material on the pleasure and appeal of rail travel today.

It was my good fortune to lend a helping hand to the weary travelers fleeing from the land of bondage, reflects William Still, a pivotal figure often recognized as the Father of the Underground Railroad. In a poignant letter, Horace Greeley noted the significance of the escape of fugitives from slavery, emphasizing the romance that has shaped American history. For over 14 years, Still dedicated himself to aiding countless enslaved individuals on their journey to freedom in Canada, meticulously documenting their stories and experiences at his Philadelphia “station.” His remarkable ...

This remarkable volume stands as a testament to the extraordinary efforts made to achieve freedom for countless enslaved individuals. Its publication was made possible by a unique confluence of circumstances that rarely accompany the birth of a book. Before emancipation, the powerful narratives contained within could not be shared openly due to the perils of slavery. Now, in the light of peace and freedom, these stories can be disseminated without fear. Among the many who championed the cause of abolition, few took the initiative to document their experiences, and even fewer preserved those ...

Experience the Civil War through the eyes of a private soldier, as he shares his daily routines, the challenges he faced, his anxieties, and the skirmishes and battles that defined his journey. This personal narrative offers a unique glimpse into a pivotal moment in history.

In the nineteenth century, Manhattan's streets were so choked with pedestrians, horses, vehicles, and vendors that a trip from City Hall to Central Park could take hours. Alfred Beach had the perfect solution: build a giant pneumatic tube underneath Broadway from the Battery to Harlem. Air pressure would shoot passengers up and down the island in clean, quiet carriages. But Beach was up against the operators of the horse-drawn streetcars and the politicians in their pay, most conspicuously William M. Tweed, the notorious "Boss" of Tammany Hall.

A journalist for nearly 60 years years and Daily Mirror columnist for 27 of those, Paul has written regularly about the joys of train travel. Now the country is set to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern railway–The Stockton & Darlington Railway opened on September 27, 1825–when better to pen a love letter to trains?

From across the sea, they came by the thousands, escaping war and poverty in southern China to seek their fortunes in America. Converging on the enormous western worksite of the Transcontinental Railroad, the migrants spent years dynamiting tunnels through the snow-packed cliffs of the Sierra Nevada and laying tracks across the burning Utah desert. Their sweat and blood fueled the ascent of an interlinked, industrial United States. But those of them who survived this perilous effort would be pushed to the margins of American life and then to the fringes of public memory.

The transcontinental railroads of the late 19th century were the first corporate behemoths. Their attempts to generate profits from proliferating debt sparked devastating panics in the US economy. Their dependence on public largess drew them into the corridors of power, initiating new forms of corruption. Their operations rearranged space and time, and remade the landscape of the West. As wheel and rail, car and coal, they opened new worlds of work and ways of life.

In the first half of the nineteenth century, transportation in the United States underwent an extraordinary transformation. In The American Transportation Revolution, Aaron W. Marrs explores the cultural influence of steamboats and railroads, which fascinated Americans across the country.

After the Beeching cuts of the 1960s, many railways were 'rationalised' and gradually shut down. Rural communities were isolated without ready access to the main lines, and steam trains slowly gave way to diesel and electric traction. But some people were not prepared to let the romance of train travel die. Thanks to their efforts, many of these lines passed into community ownership and are now booming with new armies of dedicated volunteers. Andrew Martin goes out to meet these enthusiasts and find out just what it is about preserved railways which makes people so devoted.

Rosie Schaap has always loved bars: the wood and brass and jukeboxes, the knowing bartenders, and especially the sometimes surprising but always comforting company of regulars. Starting with her misspent youth in the bar car of a regional railroad, where at age 15 she told commuters’ fortunes in exchange for beer, and continuing today as she slings cocktails at a neighborhood joint in Brooklyn, Schaap has learned her way around both sides of a bar and come to realize how powerful the fellowship among bar patrons can be.

Ode an die Schönheit des langsamen Reisens. Sein Großvater war Weichensteller, sein Onkel Fahrdienstleiter und sein Cousin Lokführer. Klar, dass Jaroslav Rudiš so oft wie möglich Zug fährt. In seinem Buch begibt er sich im Takt der Schienen durch Europa: von Berlin aus bis zum Gotthardtunnel und von Sizilien bis nach Lappland; im Nachtzug durch Polen und die Ukraine sowie im Speisewagen von Hamburg nach Prag. Leidenschaftlich berichtet er davon, wie er vor seinem Waggonfenster zwischen Felsen und Bäumen zum ersten Mal die Adria erblickt. Wie er mit der Schmalspurbahn die Wälder im Harz erkundet.

Escaping the rat race for a few happy weeks, Tom Chesshyre indulges in the freedom of the tracks. From France (dogged by rail worker strikes) through Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Poland he goes, travelling as far east as Odessa by the Black Sea in Ukraine. With no set plans, simply a desire to let the trains lead the way, his trip takes him onwards via Hungary, the Balkans and Austria. Along the way he enjoys many an encounter, befriending fellow travellers as well as a conductor or two. This is a love letter to Europe, written from the trackside.

In one of the most inventive travel books in years, Ina Caro invites listeners on 25 one-day train trips that depart from Paris and transport us back through 700 years of French history. Whether taking us to Orléans to evoke the visions of Joan of Arc or to the Place de la Concorde to witness the beheading of Marie Antoinette, Caro animates history with her lush descriptions of architectural splendors and tales of court intrigue. "[An] enchanting travelogue" (Publishers Weekly), Paris to the Past has become one of the classic guidebooks of our time.