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Brown is a geographer and a freelance travel writer. His other books are about, among other things, Ontario history and railways. Trains are magical machines. They linked the nineteenth century world and further linked the world into the mid-twentieth century when they were killed off by highways and air travel.
I was a child at that tail end period Rails Across Ontario: I was a child at that tail end period and loved trains. Late nights in East Cleveland, Ohio I would stand at the rise overlooking the tracks and wait to watch the trains roll by.
I traveled by train in the s in central Europe. A few years ago at the state fair, I spend almost my whole time mesmerized at the train museum. Today, when I have to travel farther than my bicycle will carry me, I go by train. Rails Across Ontario begins with a short history of the railway build up in Ontario and presents some of the challenges both geographical and financial. Railway towns are discussed in some detail along with bridges.
Explore Ontario's rich railway heritage — from stations and hotels to train rides, Rails Across Ontario will take the reader back to a time when the railway ruled. Editorial Reviews. Review an absolutely enjoyable read. It is an all- encompassing story of Ontario's rail history, past and present There are so many .
Bridges presented a challenge especially when crossing commercial waterway. Brown discusses the engineering that allowed both trains and ships to pass. Many bridges have been abandoned but the Wasauksing swing bridge is still operational and a tourist site. Like the bridges, railway stations and hotels are described and likewise general locations of each are given.
There is a call to preserve the heritage and save the buildings. Some have been converted to other uses. Ottawa's grand Union Station has been converted to a convention center. Many are protected landmarks, but sadly left to decay on their own. Many of the ancillary structures are preserved, from round houses still in use to coal chutes. Brown gives general locations of all the structures and if you are a train enthusiast or historian you can easily find all the places.
It should be an easy task for those in Ontario, but detailed mapping might be needed for visitors.
Individually covering each station and bridge will allow the reader to plan a day trip visiting different locations. The book is written as a guide more than as a history. There are very few photos and no maps in the book to help outsiders locate the landmarks and very little on the engines that ran on the rails.
All in all it is a good book for railway enthusiasts and probably as very good book for enthusiasts and historians in Ontario. Three stars on the understanding that the audience for this book is Ontario residents. Nov 07, Peggy rated it it was amazing. My friend Doug who read this book does not have a Goodreads account asked me to post this review for him. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies.
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Description Explore Ontario's rich railway heritage - from stations and hotels to train rides, bridges, water towers, and roundhouses. Rails Across Ontario will take the reader back to a time when the railway ruled the economy and the landscape. Read about historic stations, railway museums, heritage train rides, and historic bridges. Follow old rail lines along Ontario's most popular rail trails.
Find out where steam engines still puff across farm fields and where historic train coaches lead deep into the wilds of Ontario's scenic north country. Discover long forgotten but once vital railway structures, such as roundhouses, coal docks, and water towers. All await the curious explorer. Monuments to murders, massacres and mysterious spy camps bring to life the lesser-known aspects of Ontario's hidden heritage. In Search of the Grand Trunk looks at the many abandoned rail lines across Ontario and shows hikers, cyclists and recreational drivers the many heritage features along them which recall the once heady days of rail.
Published by Stagecoach Press; later republished as Volume 1 by Cannonbooks. Ottawa's grand Union Station has been converted to a convention center. The Wonderful World of Model Trains: This book is not yet featured on Listopia. The Best Books of Read about historic stations, railway museums, heritage train rides, and historic bridges.
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