Steam Locomotive Books #1

"Here is the first comprehensive history of the American Locomotive Company. Author Brian Solomon follows the story from the founding of Schenectady Locomotive Works in 1848 to that company’s merger with several smaller locomotive builders in 1901, to Alco’s ultimate demise in the competition for domestic diesel business. Solomon covers Alco’s famed steam locomotives—Hudsons, Niagaras, Challengers, and Big Boys—as well as the electrics built in partnership with GE, and diesel offerings both successful and quirky. Replete with historical photographs and modern images, the book is a fascinating and fitting tribute to a true icon of American railroading. "  

"The Allegheny was perhaps the finest high horsepower steam locomotive ever built which unfortunately never reached its full potential due to the arrival of the diesel engine. Although its size and potential is compared to the Union Pacific Big Boy, the Allegheny was not without controversy - which added to an inaccurate comparison of the two largest high horsepower steam locomotives. .....  "  The Allegheny Lima's Finest

"The rise and fall of the American Locomotive Company mirrors that of America's Industrial Age. Formed from eight 19th Century locomotive builders during an age of 'trusts' and giant mergers underwritten by the country's greatest financiers, ALCO expanded further by acquisition of two additional locomotive builders and of other manufacturers in related and unrelated businesses.  ~  More than 1000 B/W photos, illustrations, & diagrams.  ~ The plants of ALCO and its predecessors and subsidiaries, showing plan views and detailed photos and illustrations across 150 years. ~ Detailed descriptions of ALCO's steam, electric and diesel locomotive designs, augmented by photos and original ALCO elevation drawings. ~ Detailed production data, covering the most important elements of annual production and of individual locomotive types."