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Well into the 20th century, the railroad industry implemented a series of great technological changes that revolutionized rail transit in America. The twin cities of Omaha and Council Bluffs, serving as Union Pacific headquarters and the nation's nucleus of continental train travel, witnessed the bulk of these changes. Through a collection of captivating photographs, Railroads of Omaha and Council Bluffs documents the transformations that took place in the railroad industry and the impact those changes made on these two cities, as well as the rest of the country. The creation of the "streamlined" passenger train, the transition from steam to diesel power, the golden years of Omaha's Union Station, and the revolution of railroad freight service through mergers and government deregulation are just some of the events explored in this fascinating book.
About the author
Born to a railroad family, William Kratville has influenced railroad operations in Omaha and across the country. Bill is also known as a pioneer railroad photographer and has authored many books on railroad subjects. He was a key player in the early operations of the Amtrak rail system as a consultant on passenger cars and as the operator of a repair facility in Omaha. Bill passed away in Omaha in 2011.
