Best Train Encyclopedias: 2 Illustrated and North American Railroad Picks
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Choosing a train encyclopedia can be tricky when you’re deciding between an illustrated introduction and a broader reference work.
Verified details such as locomotive explanations, railroad history, and reference appendices can help you see what each book covers.
This time, we’ll introduce Train and Encyclopedia of North American Railroads.
Quick-reference table of recommended products
| Product name | Binding | Geographic coverage | Content scope |
|---|---|---|---|
 Train | Hardback | American railroad history and train journeys around the world | Locomotive piston operation, electric and diesel power, railroad workers, photographs, diagrams, facts, infographics, statistics, and timelines |
 Encyclopedia of North American Railroads | Hardcover | United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and Cuba | More than 500 alphabetical entries on railroad technology, operations, cultural impact, public policy, companies, suppliers, manufacturers, and people; appendices include railroad data, maps, a glossary, and a list of 130 notable railroad books |
Train
Train is recommended for curious children aged 9+ and for teachers, parents, or librarians looking for a visual guide to railroads. Full-color photographs and illustrations accompany facts, infographics, statistics, and timelines about railroad history.
For readers interested in how trains work and the people and history behind them, the book covers how a locomotive piston turns the wheels, electric and diesel power, the role of railroads in American history, and the people who built and maintain railroads. It also explores notable train journeys around the world and includes first-hand accounts from experts. The book is a 72-page hardback.
Encyclopedia of North American Railroads
The Encyclopedia of North American Railroads is recommended for readers seeking a broad reference on the history and development of railroads across North America. It covers railroad systems in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and Cuba, with more than 500 alphabetical entries spanning technology, operations, cultural impact, public policy, companies, suppliers, manufacturers, and individuals. For readers who want reference material alongside those entries, its appendices include railroad data on weight, fuel, and statistical trends, as well as maps, a glossary of railroad terms, and a list of 130 notable railroad books. The book is a hardcover edition.
Choosing by the kind of railroad reference you want
- Readers looking for an illustrated railroad guide for curious children aged 9+
- Readers seeking a broad reference covering railroad systems across North America
