In a sense the very earliest railways were simply ruts caused by the passage of carts on softer ground. Railways of this nature may have been in use as early as 2200 BCE. But railways became a worldwide economic force only in the middle of the nineteenth century, some forty or fifty years after the first demonstration of a mechanically powered train. What radically changed--in the space of less than three decades--was the method of propulsion, from human or horse power to steam powered "travelling engines," the forerunners of the modern railway locomotive. Such railways enabled faster, more efficient transport of people and goods, opened the world to settlement and changed the nature of war, allowing supplies and soldiers to be moved much faster than on horseback or on foot.

Historical Atlas of Early Railways highlights the innovations, failures and most memorable moments of railways through the ages. Read about a variety of designs and inventions including the steam underground in 1863, rack and mountain railways, electric railways, monorails and atmospheric railways. Study the world's oldest surviving railway map. This newest addition to the popular Historical Atlas Series features 320 maps and 450 photos and other illustrations, and is a beautifully designed chronicle for anyone who has a fondness for history, maps or trains.

Derek Hayes is the author of the bestselling Historical Atlas Series, which includes the Historical Atlas of Canada, Historical Atlas of Vancouver and the Lower Fraser Valley, Historical Atlas of Toronto and Historical Atlas of the United States. He holds two degrees in geography and worked for a time as a planner with the Vancouver City Planning Department and as a real estate consultant. He lives in White Rock, B.C.

Derek Hayes' profile page

“Crammed full of of maps and photographs both new and historic, [k9i9 ] is well up to Hayes’ excellent standard of thoroughness, readability and eye-appeal, and promises to become a definitive book on the subject, even encompassing the early development of electric railways, underground lines, mountain and funicular railways and monorails."

Peace Arch News

“This newest edition to the Historical Atlas series features 320 maps and 450 photos and other illustrations, and is a beautifully designed chronicle for anyone who has a fondness for history, maps, or trains.”

Forever Young