What is significant about trains in the US in the 1930's?

Question

I need to create a poster and a report on American trains and what role they played in American lives in the 1930's. Apparently it has something to do with To Kill a Mockingbird. I would really like some recommended sites to visit, as playing the 'ask Google' game is driving me insane (besides Wikipedia, as that is banned as a resource). I need to know things like why people rode them, if it was a high-class thing only, what innovations were made in American trains during the 30's- things like that. Thanks! I could really use the help.

Answer 1

I think they were robbed alot.

Answer 2

Try http://www.railfanclub.org The 1930's were still the golden age of railroading before planes took over as the main way of travel in the US. Railroad's were the way everyone traveled across country.The railroads were in a contest almost to build the largest. fastest,and best looking  trains rolling. I'm not sure why your teacher chose the 30's for your report as the railroads had a much  larger impact in peoples lives early in the century and probably even in the 40's when America entered the war.

Answer 3

they didnt work that great. thats all i knew, it was the fastest way to travel by land

Answer 4

The 30s,a time when there wer nt aeroplanes ,or autos,so peoples  main mode of travel.Tell them the German army in WW2 was 55% still using horses n mules,Trains got loaded with same til arriving in genl area& pretty much the same with our army.They had pullman cars,were sleepovers,blacks worked as porters,servants to 1st class types that rented them.

Answer 5

What your teacher is trying to get you to see is how trains were a part of the society and how they changed things.   Have you ever played the game Civilization ?  I just played 2 hours on Civ3 and was busy all night building train tracks between my cities once we learned to use coal.   It make you able to get materials from one place to another much faster than by horse drawn methods.

So what happens when trains are a part of the culture?   How does improved transportation help things?  What problems can it cause?  (( Hint, can you find out about any famous train robberies in the wild west? ))

Look at what the US was like back then...  and then go from there.  

You can use nettrekker free trial to get started:

http://home.nettrekker.com/homereg/

Here are some other sites:

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~1930s/front....

Things to consider:

1)  Great Depression

2)  Tent Cities

3)  War

Answer 6

Let's draw a comparison.

In the '30's, passenger travel was lavish and luxurious with china and silver in the dinner.

On Amtrak today, sometimes the windows are clean, the toilets may or may not work in your car, bring your own water to drink and food to eat.

In the '30's, average speed was much higher and the trains ran ON TIME.

On Amtrak today, you'll get there....   eventually....  hopefully... most likely.  And, if ya wind up on a bus for a portion of the trip anyway, as you'll do when running late, well...  next time take the plane.

In the '30's, cars were affordable, but expensive for the day, at least for a reliable one, and people rode the train because it was cheaper and more enjoyable.

On Amtrak and other commuter lines today, people who are quickly approaching the point where they cannot afford fuel STILL won't give up their expensive, expensive to maintain and drive and insure, gas guzzling dinosaurs fueled by other dinosaurs.

In the '30's, if you owned a car, you didn't want to drive across country in it.  The roads were terrible, with ruts and potholes and no maintenance.  So, people rode the train.

Today, on the nation's interstate system, the roads are in exactly the same shape, and people STILL won't get on a train.  They'll pay for the front end alignments and new shocks and bent rims, etc.

And in a few years, present course stayed, people STILL won't get on a train, opting instead for the "freedom" of ownership of personal transport, even though it'll be a flippin' horse and buggy...