Take a leisurely trip through historic Connecticut

If you are an occasional shopper of the large retail bookstores, you may have noticed a series of books called "Images of America," all with a focus on local community history. These smart little books put out by Arcadia Publishing follow a common format: They are full of great photos (often the kind you rescue from grandma's attic) and detailed text written by local authors. What a great outlet for all of that wonderful information that is usually impossible to access or has never been published before. The printing methods and distribution systems of the publisher allows these special-interest books to be released for a reasonable price, while satisfying the Information Age's thirst for knowledge.

Connecticut Whistle Stops: Greenwich to New Haven describes the stations and communities along the former New York, New Haven & Hartford electrified mainline through coastal Connecticut. This route was, and continues to be, heavily used by commuters who work in New York City. Author Lennie Grimaldi is an experienced newspaper and magazine writer, and has three other books to his name in addition to Connecticut Whistle Stops. Grimaldi enlisted the help of photographer J.W. Swanberg, who is well-known in NH circles as the author of that infamous 600-page tome, New Haven Power 1838-1968. Over half of the images in Connecticut Whistle Stops are Swanberg's, spanning the years from early steam era to present day. Photos span from the 1880's to the present day.

The book progresses from west to east, covering the communities of Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, South Norwalk, Westport, Fairfield, Bridgeport, Stratford and Milford, and New Haven. There is also a brief introduction about the history and people behind the NH, and how the railroad grew to its apex at the dawn of the 20th century. Each chapter opens with a brief description of the town, giving you a comfortable feel for the area so well-known by the author. Because the area was so accessible to New York City, Connecticut quickly became a melting pot for New England tradition and Wall Street types and their families. The photos in this book illustrate clearly the growth of the New Haven, expansion into electrification, modernization with diesels, and eventual surrender to successors Conrail, Amtrak, and Metro-North.

If you are looking to this book for accurate "railfan" information, you will be disappointed. In regards to railroading, some of the caption text is lacking in detail and accuracy. Descriptions lean more towards the romantic than the factual. It seems the author does not understand certain railroading terms or how they are applied. Describing a beautiful Swanberg night shot of a New Haven boxcab electric at Bridgeport station in 1958: "The buffs call this an NH 354 on train 385." Referring to FL9's 2013 and 2025 running light through New Haven yard: "A dual-powered engine (operational on both diesel and electric) roars through New Haven on December 27, 1958." This is only a problem for those who are not familiar with or care about the details of the equipment that operates on this line.

Despite the minor inaccuracies, there is much to enjoy about this book. Clearly Grimaldi wants you to know why he loves Connecticut so much, and he wants you to love it as well. The writing is warm and friendly, as if conversing with a neighbor, or an old family friend showing you his picture album. I enjoyed the non-rail photos that are peppered through out the book. There is one of a family fueling up at a local gas station in Westport, on their way to a picnic; another of a group starting out on a fox hunt at Conyers Farm in Greenwich during the 1930s. Images such as these really help you get a feeling for the environment that the New Haven once ran though.

Those who have a casual interest in the New Haven or local history will enjoy this book. "Hardcore" railfans may be disappointed, however the quality shots supplied by Swanberg, along with the other historical images make this volume definitely worth checking out.

Connecticut Whistle Stops: Greenwich to New Haven By Lennie Grimaldi 6.5"x 9.25"; trade paperback; 128 pages; $19.99, plus shipping and handling. Arcadia Publishing 224 State Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 http://www.arcadiapublishing.com (888) 313-2665