From package handling to delivery - and everything in between.

Description

Express, Mail & Merchandise Service describes rail express service and merchandise traffic on railroads from the early 1900s through 1960s when railroad personnel handled packages and merchandise — everything from baby chicks and cornflakes to money and machinery — and got them to their final destination. A wonderful historical reference for modelers and railfans alike.

This book covers:

• Depots, freight houses, and terminals.
• Dedicated trains, special cars, and delivery vehicles.
• Train operation and car movement.
• And much more!

Author Bio

Jeff Wilson has written more than 25 books on railroads and model railroading. He spent 1 years as an associate editor at Model Railroader magazine, and he currently works as a freelance writer, editor, and photographer, contributing articles to Model Railroader and other magazines. He enjoys many facets of the hobby, especially building structures and detailing locomotives, as well as photographing both real and model railroads.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1
History of express, merchandise, and mail service     4

Chapter 2
Railroad LCL traffic    11

Chapter 3
Railway Express Agency    19

Chapter 4
Head-end cars and merchandise equipment    37

Chapter 5
Depots, freight houses, and transfer terminals    53

Chapter 6
Train and car operations    7

Chapter 7
Moving mail by rail    82

Bibliography    94

Thanks and acknowledgments    95

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