The History of the Lehigh Valley Railroad: The Route of the Black Diamond

Mr. Archer has done a superb job at relating the 130 year history of the Lehigh Valley Railroad in a highly readable fashion. The book is neither superficial nor is it rendered boring by being overly detailed. It is also filled with pictures, many of which I have never seen before. The final few decades of the railroad's existence were not covered as thoroughly as other periods, but then that may be because there wasn't much of a story to tell during those dying years. After reading this book, it is clear to me why it is considered by many railroad history fans to be THE definitive book on the Lehigh Valley.

Archer's work is a thorough history of the Lehigh Valley that chronologically follows the story of the Valley from construction to its eventual demise. It is well-written and includes a fine selection of black and white photographs. The only shortcoming in the book is that it does not have a locomotive roster