Biographical note:
Joe Welsh is a regular contributor to Trains and Classic Trains magazines and has appeared on the History Channel. He is the author of 12 books including the critically acclaimed Travel by Pullman, co-authored with William F. Howes, Jr. He resides in Auburn, Washington.
Kevin J. Holland is a freelance writer, editor, and publications designer based in Burlington, Ontario. He has written and produced more than 15 books and is a regular contributor to Classic Trains.
Bill Howes’ is the former director of The Pullman Company and a former vice-president of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Mr. Howes is the co-author of Travel by Pullman and vice-president of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society. He lives in Florida.
Main description:
One of America's greatest business enterprises, the Pullman Company provided outstanding service aboard a vast fleet of railroad passenger cars that could be found in almost every nook and cranny of the United States. This illustrated history examines Pullman's diverse fleet, from its spectacular custom-built wooden cars of the nineteenth century to steel heavyweight cars in the prewar years and on into the lightweight streamlined era. Author Joe Welsh includes period photos, many in rare color, as well as car diagrams and ads that help trace the development, composition, and evolution of the historically and culturally significant Pullman fleet, including the gamut of sleeper, parlor, and restaurant cars. This is a fitting tribute to the former cultural icons aboard which strode giants of American life, such as Babe Ruth and Clark Gable, as well as first-time travelers from small-town America.
Review quote:
The real glory of this handsomely designed book is its rich illustration. Joe Welsh, Bill Howes , and Kevin J. Holland are top-notch photo researchers and archivists, which they prove here with a great selection of 19th century glass-late photos, heavy-weight-era publicity photos, Pullman promotions and car diagrams, and some impressive postwar color action. The authors also have the good sense to go beyond train and car photos. Using photographer Jim Scribbins’ candid interior view of the Seaboard Air Line’s peerless Sun Lounge across a full spread is brilliant photo editing and typical of the entire book. Anyone interested in passenger railroading – including modelers – will love this book. Trains - November 2010
