ENTHUSIASM FOR THE AUTO BEING THE LACK OF SELF-RESPECT:

Blood, Iron and Gold: How the Railways Transformed the Globe by Christian Wolmar: review: Trains have fascinated us all since they first left Liverpool in 1830 (Michael Williams, 24 Oct 2009, Daily Telegraph)

Once upon a time, every self-respecting schoolboy owned books with titles like The Wonder Book of Railway Wonders or Thrilling Trains of the World. They contained magical tales of speed records, lofty viaducts, plunging tunnels and streamlined locomotives. It was a golden age that many thought had disappeared for ever – until now, when suddenly trains are fashionable again. Want the smartest way to Paris? Take the Eurostar. Impress your friends with your green credentials? Take your holiday in the Dordogne by TGV. New high-speed lines are spreading across the world. Even Britain is expected to build a brand new fast-track line from London to Scotland soon.

Amid this renaissance, Christian Wolmar has written the first general history of the world’s railways for more than 40 years, and, like those schoolboy books of old, it is a ripping read. [...]

It is a shame that at the end of the book Wolmar allows his “trainspotter” persona to take over, speculating on the “delicious prospect” that trains might outlive cars. “Imagine a world without car parks, motorways or service stations.” Nevertheless, this authoritative and highly readable book will remain the definitive history for years to come.