The Mauch Chunk Switchback: America's Pioneer Railroad

Vincent Hydro Jr., 2002. This book contains more than 400 photos and drawings depicting the world-famous gravity railroad that was first constructed to carry coal from the mines at Summit Hill to the Lehigh River at Mauch Chunk (today’s Jim Thorpe), to be transported to markets. The author relates how the name “Switchback” came into being, the reasons for the development of the tourist industry, and stories of the excitement of the Switchback ride up, down and across mountains. (Canal History and Technology Press) 358 pp., 8 1/2 x 11, index, references. paperback