The West Virginia & Pittsburg Railway: A Western Maryland Predecessor

Description

Beginning as a narrow gauge line in 1880, its name and gauge changed in 1881 and in the ensuing years it opened a huge swathe of timber and coal territory in northern West Virginia to use, creating such towns as Elkins, Davis, and Thomas. A major connection was made with the C&O's Greenbrier Branch at Durbin, W. Va. in 1900. Sold to the Gould interests in 1902 it became an important part of the Western Maryland Railway in 1905 and contributed heavily to that road's prosperity in the coal and lumber trade down to modern times. The book is illustrated with superb photos, written in a cogent and informative style based on outstanding scholarly research in basic documents. The story is carried down through the WM and Chessie System eras to today's' CSX operations on the remaining lines. A must for those interested in West Virginia, mountain railroading, and coal and lumber development. This is the second volume by this author. His West Virginia's Coal & Coke Railway - A B&O Predecessor, published by TLC last year, has been a best seller and has gathered great reviews for its completeness, accuracy, insight, and appearance. This new work is comparable!

Reviews

Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2008-05-22
Summary: "A good book."

I bought this book out of my love for railroad history and West Virginia history and when I can combine the two I am usually very happy.

I like this book in that it contains the facts to a very fine degree. I have two complaints though. The first is that it is like reading a time line. Rarely are two consecutive paragraphs related. The facts and events are relayed very well this way but it makes for very dry reading at times.

My second complaint is that the maps and photographs are extremely small all through the book. It is very difficult to study and enjoy a map of an entire rail line when the map is only about 2" x 2" in the text.

All in all, I did enjoy the book. I would recommend buying it, just keep a magnifying glass at your side for the photos and maps.