Michael Ciaran Duffy gained his degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Edinburgh and went on to carry out postgraduate research into strategic technology, American innovation and the electric railway at Victoria University, Manchester. From 1969 to 2001 he lectured in mechanical engineering, history of technology and the role of the engineer in society at the School of Computing and Technology, University of Sunderland. He has published numerous papers on railway engineering, engineering history and philosophy of engineering.

'this is a history of the technology of electric railways, rather than the railways themselves, but written widely and in a lucid style that is aimed at the general reader.'

• Chapter 1: Telegraphs, track circuits and signals before 1890Chapter 2: Electric railways and American practiceChapter 3: The electrification of street railwaysChapter 4: Heilmann, Ward Leonard and the electric railwayChapter 5: Electrification of British rapid-transit linesChapter 6: Electrification 1900-20Chapter 7: Track circuits, describers and electrical signalling 1890-1920Chapter 8: Evolution of the electric railway 1920-40Chapter 9: Railway electrification and the thermal-electric locomotiveChapter 10: Converters, the mercury-arc rectifier and supply to electric railwaysChapter 11: Signalling, communications and control 1920-40Chapter 12: Railway electrification 1920-40Chapter 13: Electro-Motive, General Motors and oil-electric tractionChapter 14: The mercury-arc rectifier locomotiveChapter 15: Railway electrification in Britain 1920-60Chapter 16: Signalling, communications and control 1940-70Chapter 17: Main line direct current traction in BritainChapter 18: Main line alternating current traction in BritainChapter 19: Solid-state electronics, motor control and the locomotiveChapter 20: Solid-state electronics in signalling, communications and controlChapter 21: The electric railway 1965-95

1. 5/5

   History of Technology

   Michael is an expert in his field, very well written and researched, this book is (Must be) a world-wide reference book, not only on electric-railways, but on the different electrical supply systems available through the years his book spans. LVDC, HVDC, single phase, multi-phase AC, On-board-generation, Electrical supply from many small trackside DC Generating stations, then to the much bigger AC stations, but now requiring methods of rectification from motor-generators to the Mercury arc rectifiers, (Both glass and Steel tank) as used, as an example, the London Underground up to, as he says quite rightly 1965. Any book published by the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) is always going to be very interesting and informative. And this is no exception. A thoroughly enjoyable book. . Barry Gunstone Sweden

   ABC G

   07 juli 2017

Michael Ciaran Duffy gained his degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Edinburgh and went on to carry out postgraduate research into strategic technology, American innovation and the electric railway at Victoria University, Manchester. From 1969 to 2001 he lectured in mechanical engineering, history of technology and the role of the engineer in society at the School of Computing and Technology, University of Sunderland. He has published numerous papers on railway engineering, engineering history and philosophy of engineering.

'this is a history of the technology of electric railways, rather than the railways themselves, but written widely and in a lucid style that is aimed at the general reader.'

• Chapter 1: Telegraphs, track circuits and signals before 1890Chapter 2: Electric railways and American practiceChapter 3: The electrification of street railwaysChapter 4: Heilmann, Ward Leonard and the electric railwayChapter 5: Electrification of British rapid-transit linesChapter 6: Electrification 1900-20Chapter 7: Track circuits, describers and electrical signalling 1890-1920Chapter 8: Evolution of the electric railway 1920-40Chapter 9: Railway electrification and the thermal-electric locomotiveChapter 10: Converters, the mercury-arc rectifier and supply to electric railwaysChapter 11: Signalling, communications and control 1920-40Chapter 12: Railway electrification 1920-40Chapter 13: Electro-Motive, General Motors and oil-electric tractionChapter 14: The mercury-arc rectifier locomotiveChapter 15: Railway electrification in Britain 1920-60Chapter 16: Signalling, communications and control 1940-70Chapter 17: Main line direct current traction in BritainChapter 18: Main line alternating current traction in BritainChapter 19: Solid-state electronics, motor control and the locomotiveChapter 20: Solid-state electronics in signalling, communications and controlChapter 21: The electric railway 1965-95

1. 5/5

   History of Technology

   Michael is an expert in his field, very well written and researched, this book is (Must be) a world-wide reference book, not only on electric-railways, but on the different electrical supply systems available through the years his book spans. LVDC, HVDC, single phase, multi-phase AC, On-board-generation, Electrical supply from many small trackside DC Generating stations, then to the much bigger AC stations, but now requiring methods of rectification from motor-generators to the Mercury arc rectifiers, (Both glass and Steel tank) as used, as an example, the London Underground up to, as he says quite rightly 1965. Any book published by the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) is always going to be very interesting and informative. And this is no exception. A thoroughly enjoyable book. . Barry Gunstone Sweden

   ABC G

   07 juli 2017