John R. Meyer (1927–2009)

This is real good book about the railrod mergers of the United States in the last half of the 20th century. The authors describe in great detail the vast consolidation First-Class railroads into four massive companies that we have today. It's a complicated story. Railroads are considerably deregulated compare to what existed under the ICC. Many lines were abandoned, which bodes badly for resumption of future passenger service, but the freight railroads now enjoy considerable profits. The authors do not like the old system of regulation, but are surprisingly satisfied with Amtrak, which they tolerate. Meyer, who is now deceased, had been sceptical of pssenger rail. This book will be invaluable who rcks the rail system. The charts are very good and complete. Canandian railroads are only handled modestly.… (meer)