Few railroads are as deeply associated with the regions they serve as the Southern Railway. This illustrated account of the venerable Southern is both the story of the railroads 88-year tenure as the transportation force in the region and a fascinating chapter of Southern history. The Southern Railway--the first major U. S. railroad to completely convert to diesel--eventually incorporated some 150 individual predecessor railroads into its system. Author Tom Murray explores this complex prehistory before examining the Southern's nearly nine decades of freight and passenger service, right up to its 1982 merger with Norfolk & Western to form Norfolk Southern. Financier J. P. Morgan makes an appearance in the story, which takes in points of interest such as the 21.5-mile trestle across Louisianas Lake Pontchartrain and legendary passenger trains like the Crescent and the Southerner. Wonderful archival photos capture the railways motive power and rolling stock against the regions cityscapes and scenic countryside. The book also includes system maps, period ads, and timetables.