The Iron Horse, American Railroads, and the Queen City is a comprehensive introduction to American railroad history and engineering with specific connections to Cincinnati. It has three major parts. Its coverage of railroad history includes a general overview, connections to American culture, and histories of specific major railroad corporations. The engineering component explains the construction of railroads, operation of locomotives and railroad cars, and the operation of air brakes and signals. Finally, the last main focus is Cincinnati railroad history and prospects. This not only covers the history of major railroads in the region but also includes special coverage of the subway project, Union Terminal, streetcars, interurbans, and inclines, and recent rail transit developments. This section includes new insights on the impact of rail in the city's history and future, comparing modern transportation investments to the historic Cincinnati Southern Railroad project, which made Cincinnati the only major city to own a railroad, and which continues to benefit the city. It also includes a comparison of Cincinnati to other similar cities where rail transit systems have thrived. The book also includes over 100 photographs, diagrams, and maps to enhance the reader's experience. The author produced many of these.