The Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad Company: Union Pacific's Historical Salt Lake Route

Fascinating and lavishly illustrated history of the Los Angles and Salt Lake Railroad, the Union Pacific's Salt Lake Route. The author, a noted railroad historian, traces the line from its origins as the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad under Sen. William A. Clark. The book provides a detailed look at the construction of this and predecessor lines, the extension into Utah's Tintic mining district, construction across the great Amercian desert, trackage rights from the Santa Fe over Cajon Pass, purchase of the Los Angeles Terminal, and establishment of the famed Los Angeles Limited. E. H. Harriman's role in obtaining a 50% interest in the line and the eventual merger into UP are described, as are the battles with floods in the Meadow Valley Was and Afton Canyon, freight and passenger operations, dispatching and signaling problems, early dieselizatin due to water shortages, the Mission style stations, tunnels, bridges, shops and physical plant. Also covered are service to Zion, Bryce, Cedar Breaks and the Grand Canyon, development of the desert helper district, the discovery of oil on Terminal Island, the coming of the streamliners, branch line operations, electrification of the Glendale line, the effect of World War II, and the arrival of CTC, piggyback and container service, and the Day Live Stock service. All the locomotives are on view -- steam and diesels of every kind, Centennials, U-50s, SD-40s and experimental turbines. including Illustrated throughout with black and white photos and a few color photos. With numerous maps, timetables. 256 pages.