Self-Propelled Cars of the CNR

By (author): Anthony Clegg

In the 19th century, steam-hauled trains had a virtual monopoly on transportation of passengers. After the 1914-1918 Great War, competition from highway vehicles, which had previously not troubled North American railroads to any considerable extent, began to provoke renewed interest in a more economical form of railway motive power, and a number of ‘rail buses’ of varying designs were introduced. Self Propelled Cars of the CNR details how, in November 1925, CNR’s new diesel-electric car No. 15820 completed its record-breaking run across the North American continent, from Montreal to Vancouver. The train established a new world record for endurance, economy, and sustained speed over such a distance. The book explains how this comparatively small self propelled vehicle led to their wide-spread usage across the system, and indeed across many of CN’s rival systems, including the Canadian Pacific Railway. The book describes how, despite the growing popularity of automobiles, and increasing availability of better roads, these new rail cars were successful in stemming the decline in rail passenger patronage, particularly on low-traffic branch lines.

AUTHOR

Anthony Clegg

Anthony Clegg was born in Toronto and currently resides in St. Hilaire in the Montreal area. He began his career with Canadian National Railways in 1942, as a draftsman and cartographer.

He is an associate of the Canadian Railroad Historical Association and was for several years Editor of Canadian Rail magazine.

Anthony Clegg’s writing include Mount Royal Tunnel, and — with Raymond Corley — Canadian National Steam Power. He collaborated with Omer Lavallee to write Catenary Through the Counties, as well as Cornwall Electric — the Insurance Company’s Streetcars.


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In the 19th century, steam-hauled trains had a virtual monopoly on transportation of passengers. After the 1914-1918 Great War, competition from highway vehicles, which had previously not troubled North American railroads to any considerable extent, began to provoke renewed interest in a more economical form of railway motive power, and a number of ‘rail buses’ of varying designs were introduced. Self Propelled Cars of the CNR details how, in November 1925, CNR’s new diesel-electric car No. 15820 completed its record-breaking run across the North American continent, from Montreal to Vancouver. The train established a new world record for endurance, economy, and sustained speed over such a distance. The book explains how this comparatively small self propelled vehicle led to their wide-spread usage across the system, and indeed across many of CN’s rival systems, including the Canadian Pacific Railway. The book describes how, despite the growing popularity of automobiles, and increasing availability of better roads, these new rail cars were successful in stemming the decline in rail passenger patronage, particularly on low-traffic branch lines.

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Details

Dimensions:

128 Pages
11in * 8in * .29in
1lb

Published:

March 15, 2006

Country of Publication:

CA

Publisher:

DC Books

ISBN:

9781897190098

Book Subjects:

TRANSPORTATION / Railroads / General

Featured In:

All Books

Language:

eng

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