As Toyota scouted the nation in 2002 for a new plant location, a San Antonio site's proximity to two rail lines clinched the decision. It was the city's greatest economic breakthrough in recent years. Of even greater effect was arrival of the first railroad a century and a quarter earlier, launching the region 's first major growth. These are among the landmark events outlined in the lavishly-illustrated The Railroads of San Antonio and South Central Texas, the first general interest book to sort out the regional operations and impact of seven rail lines: the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio/Southern Pacific; International & Great Northern/Missouri Pacific; San Antonio & Aransas Pass; San Antonio & Gulf Shore/San Antonio & Gulf; Missouri Kansas Texas; Artesian Belt/San Antonio Southern; and the San Antonio, Uvalde & Gulf. There is a closing chapter on Amtrak and the Union Pacific. Included are five appendices that codify data, ranging from an index of towns and the railroads serving them to a listing of surviving depots to a summary of regional railroad museums and tourist railroads. The book has 123 illustrations, 8 maps, a bibliograpy and a general index. An excellent study of the role railroads played in our national development and their importance now, as reflected in one region of Texas. -- National Railway Bulletin A lively narrative full of an amazing level of factual detail. -- San Antonio Express-News As Toyota scouted the nation in 2002 for a new plant location, a San Antonio site s proximity to two rail lines clinched the decision. It was the city s greatest economic breakthrough in recent years. Of even greater effect was arrival of the first railroad a century and a quarter earlier, launching the region s first major growth.These are among the landmark events outlined in The Railroads of San Antonio and South Central Texas, the first general interest book to sort out the regional operations and impact of seven rail lines: the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio/Southern Pacific; International & Great Northern/Missouri Pacific; San Antonio & Aransas Pass; San Antonio & Gulf Shore/San Antonio & Gulf; Missouri Kansas Texas; Artesian Belt/San Antonio Southern; and the San Antonio, Uvalde & Gulf. There is a closing chapter on Amtrak and the Union Pacific.Written by Hugh Hemphill, longtime director of the Texas Transportation Museum in San Antonio, this lavishly-illustrated book is vital to understanding the evolution of an important link in the nation s transportation system.Included are five appendices that codify data, ranging from an index of towns and the railroads serving them to a listing of surviving depots to a summary of regional railroad museums and tourist railroads. Hugh Hemphill is the longtime director of the Texas Transportation Museum in San Antonio, Texas. Used Book in Good Condition