For those of us interested in transportation, history and how transportation has shaped our cities, Houston Electric is a superb book. I been fortunate to exchange emails from time to time with the author Steve Baron. Recently he expressed the following:
It is ironic that I wrote the book as a rail fan and advocate of light rail, but in several cases it has been used as "ammunition" by those who oppose light rail. I don't really have a problem with that, although the fact that streetcars were abandoned for logical reasons 60 years ago has very little bearing on the light rail debate of today, in my opinion. (April 6, 2008)
As Mr. Baron indicates, don't think people today understand the old passenger rail and the role it plaid in our cities vs. what it is being done now. Two different epochs. The least we could expect is for us to learn from history. It is also wonderful to point out Mr. Baron's statement "...streetcars were abandoned for logical reasons 60 years ago..." There is so much truth in his statement.
More about the book can be found at Houston Streetcars History Pages and can find info how to order the book here.
For those interested in reading more about the old Birney trolley the Birney Trolley Museum Library page has an incredible list of books.
