Delaware & Hudson: The Final Years, 1968 to 1991

Jim Shaughnessy’s definitive book "Delaware & Hudson" was published at the end of 1967, right at the beginning of a period of drastic change for the 144-year-old transportation company. The following 24 years would see the 744-mile D&H purchased by the Norfolk & Western (Dereco), doubled in size due to the Conrail merger, sold to Guilford, placed into bankruptcy, operated by the Susquehanna, and ultimately acquired by CP Rail. During this period, equipment, paint schemes, management, and operations were in a constant state of flux, creating one of the most intriguing and chaotic periods in D&H history and in Northeastern railroading as a whole. All the while, the employees of this historic regional railroad maintained its friendly, approachable atmosphere and charm, making the D&H appealing and accessible to railfans and industry professionals alike. Author Rudy Garbely picks up writing where Shaughnessy left off in 1967. This extensively researched text focuses on all-new employee interviews and recollections, contextualized with various historical D&H company records and contemporary accounts. Several hundred never-before-published color photos illustrate this definitive work on the D&H’s final years of independence. This print-on-demand hardcover reprint edition of Garbely's 2022 book continues Shaughnessy’s work through the 1990s. It contains 416 pages of written and visual content, including 150+ pages of extensive academic research, 550+ all-new color photos, and 30+ never-before-published interviews. (Interviewees include the late D&H President Bruce Sterzing, Guilford owner Tim Mellon, and USRA President Jim Hagen.) ------------- REVIEWS: “Garbely’s attention to detail and his ability to blend first-person perspectives with technical descriptions are rarely found in American railroad histories…. The author adds welcome depth to the D&H story and more broadly to the history of Northeastern railroads from the late 1960s to the 2000s…. Far more than the story of the Delaware & Hudson, this book demonstrates the potential of new historical research to push past the ‘what’ and explore the ‘why’ and ‘how,’ which is what can make railroad history relevant to a new generation.” – "Railroad History" magazine “[A] stellar work, impressively researched and beautifully presented…. [A] must-have for anybody interested in the D&H or the history of Northeastern railroading.” – "Railroad Model Craftsman" magazine