Richmond’s Railroad History Told Through Photographs

PR Log (Press Release) – Jan 15, 2010 – The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s Images of Rail series is Richmond Railroads by local author Jeff Hawkins. The book boasts more than 200 vintage photographs, documenting the past 60 years of railroading in the Capital City.

During the second half of the 20th century, the railroads that operated in the Mid-Atlantic region offered a wide variety of subject matter for railroad enthusiasts and photographers to marvel at. A prime location to witness this activity was in Richmond—a railroad melting pot.

As with any major city, the railroads played a significant role in Richmond’s growth and development. As a result of being served by five different railroads, a labyrinth of railroad infrastructure emerged, including the Triple Crossing, a world-renowned landmark. Millions of travelers have passed through Broad Street and Main Street Stations on famous streamliner passenger trains such as the Silver Meteor and the George Washington.

The author hopes the book will be “an introduction to those who have a thirst for knowledge and history, and want to learn more about the city and the railroads that helped shape it.”

Highlights of Richmond Railroads:

•   The majority of the images featured in the book have never been published before.

•   The book takes a last look at the C&O and RF&P steam locomotives prior to being scrapped.

•   Many of the images depict the mainline action that include Seaboard Air Line SDP35s, Amtrak E8s, modern CSX and Northfolk Southern locomotives, and everything in between.

•   Many rail yards that are now abandoned are feature in the book, including Hermitage, 17th Street and Brown Street.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or

(888)-313-2665.  

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com.

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