Kincaid A. Herr

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When the Louisville and Nashville Railroad was founded in 1850, it was the first major railroad in the west, and the only one headquartered in Kentucky. In the twentieth century, the L&N grew into one of the nation’s major rail systems, reaching from the Great Lakes to the Ohio River Valley and down to Florida and the Gulf Coast. Kincaid Herr worked for the Louisville and Nashville for more than forty years, and this book originated as a series of articles that he wrote for L&N Magazine between 1939 and 1942. After various printings through the 1940s and ’50s, this fifth edition, completely revised and updated, was released in 1964. The 1950s saw the reluctant abandonment of the old steam engine (the L&N was a major coal-carrying railroad) in favor of the diesel. During the late 1950s and early 60s, the railroad experienced significant expansion in the South, where the economy was being fueled by new industry. Coal, automobiles, mail, and passengers all counted on the L&N to get them around the region. Herr traces the development and expansion of the L&N system over a century and profiles important company figures, such as longtime L&N president Milton Smith. Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan and railroad bandit Morris Slater also find their place in this entertaining history. Four appendices on topics ranging from the materials used to build trains to passenger equipment to motive power round out the complete, but accessible, account. Even after all these years, this volume remains the concise, illustrated history of “The Old Reliable” for its many fans around the world.

A classic and thorough history of an American institution. -- Bookman News, Library Booknotes

Interesting and well illustrated. It should be a welcome gift for anyone who likes to read about railroads or the history of those states connected by the L & N Railroad. -- Bowling Green Daily News

This is the best history of the L&N. -- Bulletin of the Railroad Station Historical Society

Provides a well-written and richly detailed narrative of the evolution of America’s railroads of the world they did so much to shape. -- Carlos Schwantes

A ‘jewel’ in railroad history. -- McCormick (SC) Messenger

Illustrated with a veritable treasure trove of photographs and drawings spanning the life of the company. -- R. Lyle Key Jr.

An important work for Tennessee and railroad history. -- Tennessee Librarian

Herr has the knack for telling some fascinating tales about the L&N and its service territory. -- Historian

A lively and broad look at ‘The Old Reliable.’ -- Trains

It is a welcome event that this book is once again available. -- Anniston (AL) Star

Publication Date

9-7-2000

Publisher

The University Press of Kentucky

Place of Publication

Lexington, KY

ISBN

9780813193182

eISBN

9780813147505

Keywords

Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company, Railroads, United States

The Louisville and Nashville Railroad, 1850-1963
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