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The Diesel That Did It: General Motors' FT Locomotive (Railroads Past and Present)

Name: The Diesel That Did It: General Motors' FT Locomotive (Railroads Past and Present)
Price: 49 USD
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Rating: 4.5 (14 reviews)

4.5 of 5 Stars: Man-Made Objects - The Diesel That Did It: General Motors' FT Locomotive (Railroads Past and Present)

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Book Synopsis: The Diesel That Did It tells the story of the legendary diesel-electric locomotive, the FT. As war loomed in 1939, American railroads were on the precipice of railroad transformation. In an obscure factory in La Grange, Illinois, a group of gifted engineers and designers were planning a revolution that would shake railroading to its foundations and eventually put the steam locomotive out of business. Their creation, the FT, was a diesel-electric, semi-streamlined freight engine. The FT would establish a new standard for reliability, flexibility, and cost, but its arrival unsettled many railroad employees and gave fresh ammunition to their labor unions, who believed that it threatened a century-old culture. Wallace W. Abbey's The Diesel That Did It is the story of a revolution. He explores how EMC (and its successor Electro-Motive Division of General Motors) conceived the FT, and how it ultimately emerged as the dominant locomotive power plant for 20 years. However, for Abbey, the history of the Santa Fe Railway and the FT go hand in hand. The Diesel That Did It also offers a penetrating look at how the great American railroad, at the height of its Super Chief glamor, threw its conservative mechanical traditions aside to bet big on the diesel. Showcasing more than 140 exquisite photographs by Abbey and other noted photographers, The Diesel That Did It is a captivating story not to be missed by railroaders and railfans.

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Discover the untold story of the legendary FT locomotive, The Diesel That Did It, in General Motors' Railroads Past and Present series. As American railroads faced the challenges of war in 1939, a group of brilliant engineers and designers set out to revolutionize the industry in an obscure factory in La Grange, Illinois. With the creation of the FT diesel-electric locomotive, they would forever change the face of railroading.

The FT locomotive was not only a marvel of engineering, but it also set a new standard for reliability, flexibility, and cost efficiency. Its arrival, however, unsettled many railroad employees and labor unions who feared it would replace the cherished steam locomotive. In The Diesel That Did It, Wallace W. Abbey masterfully narrates the story of this revolutionary machine and how it shaped the course of American railroading for the next two decades.

Immerse yourself in the captivating history of the Santa Fe Railway and the FT locomotive as Abbey sheds light on the bold decision made by the great American railroad to embrace the diesel. From the height of the Super Chief era to the advent of a new era in locomotive technology, The Diesel That Did It provides a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment of innovation.

Featuring over 140 stunning photographs by Abbey and other renowned photographers, this captivating book is a must-read for railroaders and railfans alike. Experience the power, beauty, and transformation of the FT locomotive through the pages of The Diesel That Did It, and gain a deeper understanding of its impact on the American railroad industry. Grab your copy today and rediscover the history that shaped our nation's railways.

Don't miss out on this captivating story. Get your copy of The Diesel That Did It now!

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