This richly illustrated history chronicles one of the most revolutionary developments in freight railroading during the twentieth century: intermodal shipping, or the use of containers to move cargo between trains, trucks, and oceangoing vessels. It was a development that transformed the movement of freight around the world, with an almost incalculable impact on American industry. Intermodal railroading in North America begins tentatively, with attempts at piggybacking in the 1930s, before moving on to more serious developments in the period from World War II through the 1960s, notably by Canadian Pacific and the New Haven and Southern Pacific railroads. After looking at early intermodal technology and traffic, particularly the formation of pioneering equipment manufacturer and provider TTX, author Brian Solomon turns to the contemporary period. His account of mighty changes in North American shipping ranges from the implications of deregulation and various railroad mergers, to the emergence of partnerships between railroads and trucking and shipping firms. In addition to railroads like Conrail, BNSF, and CSX, this comprehensive history features trucking, freight delivery, and forwarding firms such as J. B. Hunt, Sea-Land, Maersk, and K-Line. It also considers the importance of specialized modern rolling stock, motive power, loading equipment, and intermodal hubs including South Kearney, Seattle, Long Beach, Oakland, and Houston. For the first time ever, intermodal railroading perhaps the most revolutionary development in freight railroading, if not the freight industry is examined in a concisely written and completely illustrated history showcasing 200 vintage and modern photographs. The advantages of intermodal railroading the use of trailers and containers on flatcars to transload cargo to and from highway trucks and oceangoing vessels are obvious: less cargo-handling and better security translate to reduced transit times, costs, and cargo damage. Author Brian Solomon shows how the North American rail industry moved to exploit these advantages beginning with formative attempts at piggybacking in the 1930s and how prevailing global economic conditions and federal deregulation spurred intermodal growth. Special emphases on the formation of pioneering equipment manufacturer and provider Trailer Train (renamed TTX), container-shipping pioneer Sea-Land, and the intermodal-friendly Los Angeles Corridor, provide context for a complete history of postwar intermodal, including North America s land-bridge role and modern innovations like articulated spine cars and double-stack well cars. While bringing readers to intermodal hubs such as Los Angeles Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle-Tacoma, Houston, and South Kearny, New Jersey, among others, Solomon also examines motive power, the effects of railroad mergers, and the roles played by trucking and shipping firms such as Maersk, J. B. Hunt, UPS, NOL, Hanjin, and K-Line, to name a few. Rounded out by a glossary of terms, this wonderfully illustrated layman s guide to the world of intermodal will prove indispensable to anyone interested in modern railroad operations. Intermodal railroading, which started out as piggyback, or trailer-on-flatcar a way for railroads to better serve customers without sidings has grown into one of the most significant aspects of modern railroading and, indeed, international shipping. For the first time, this portion of the railroad industry that has flourished beyond all expectations is examined in a concisely written and completely illustrated history showcasing 200 vintage and modern photographs. Author Brian Solomon looks at intermodal railroading s personalities, technology, infrastructure, and operations, with special emphases on the evolution of technologies, the effects of global economies and federal deregulation, pioneering players such as TTX and Sea-Land, and modern innovations like articulated spine cars and double-stack well cars. Rounded out by a glossary of terms, this wonderfully illustrated layman s guide to the world of intermodal will prove indispensable to anyone interested in modern railroad operations. Brian Solomon is one of today's most accomplished railway historians. He has authored more than thirty books about railroads and locomotive power, and his writing and photography have been featured in the world's top rail publications, including Trains, Railway Age, Passenger Train Journal, and RailNews. He divides his time between Massachusetts and Ireland. Introduction Nearly 20 years ago, while driving west on Route 22 and climbing toward Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, I overtook a single tractor-trailer truck struggling up the grade. The driver was gazing across Sugar Run toward Conrail's well-maintained former Pennsylvania Railroad main line. His expression was a look of wonder and disgust as he scrutinized three long intermodal trains--two westward, one eastward--simultaneously threading their way over the mountain; trail