More than just a railroad, the Southern Pacific was an empire, anchored in San Francisco but stretching from Portland, Oregon, to several ports on the Gulf of Mexico. From austere western roots, the "Espee" grew into a far-flung railroad of some 17,000 route miles. In fact, for many years, it was the nations only true transcontinental railroad.This illustrated history tells the tale of SP"s development from 1861 through its 1996 acquisition by Union Pacific. Through some 150 archival photographs, route maps, period ads, and timetables, readers are treated to the history of steam and diesel power, as well as freight and passenger operations.In addition to images of the Southern Pacific"s flashy red and orange Daylight streamliners, the book features photography from the railroads fabled Coast Line, Shasta Route, Golden State Route, and the granddaddy of "em all, the Overland Route.