Railroaders without Borders: A History of the Railroad Development Corporation [Hardcover]

For over 25 years, the creatively led Railroad Development Corporation (RDC) has rejuvenated a series of down-and-out and even defunct railroads. Launched in 1987 by Henry Posner III, this investment and management company has demonstrated that it is possible both to have a conscience and to earn a profit in today's railroad industry. With ventures on four continents, RDC has created an admirable record of long-term commitments, respect for local cultures, and protection of the public interest. H. Roger Grant presents a firsthand look at this unique business operation and its triumphs and disappointments.

A Trains Magazine Notable Railroad Book of 2015

H. Roger Grant is Kathryn and Calhoun Lemon Professor of History at Clemson University. He is author of over 30 books, includingThe Louisville, Cincinnati & Charleston Rail Road: Dreams of Linking North and South(IUP, 2014),Railroads and the American People(IUP, 2012),Iowa's Railroads: An Album(with Don L. Hofsommer) (IUP, 2009), andVisionary Railroader: Jervis Langdon Jr. and the Transportation Revolution(IUP, 2008).

This book will undoubtedly appeal to readers interested in railroads but also to anyone intrigued by the study of business. Outstanding photographs and maps add visual interest. Overall, the author's wide-ranging research, extensive command of railroad history, and clear expression make this volume a pleasure to recommend.

This is an important addition to our knowledge of railway restructurings worldwide, a process that continues, and in which RDC continues to play an important role.

Railroaders without Borders covers the recent appearance of a revolutionary railway holding company, whose purpose has been to acquire and rejuvenate properties that have suffered financial failure. While its 1987 beginning concerned a Pennsylvania company, its later ventures have spanned the globe. Grant's detailed narratives follow RDC's growth through both suclCt