Black Gold - Black Diamonds: The Pennsylvania Railroad & Dieselization

Black Gold - Black Diamonds: The Pennsylvania Railroad & Dieselization by Hirsimaki, Eric. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780929886077.

Volume 1 in this series on the adoption of diesel by the Pennsylvania Railroad carefully examines managements thinking over the years as it struggled to support the coal industry (from which it derived a large portion of its business) through the continued use of steam while facing the gradual rise of the GMs EMD diesels. The book begins in 1915 and explains the Pennsys study over the years of four types of railroad motive power: reciprocating steam, electric, diesel-electric and gasoline-electric. The author examines how the railroad tried each out and why, in 1947, it suddenly began to acquire diesels. Illustrated throughout with over 200 photos. Includes rosters and many informational charts and tables. 176 pages.