This book presents a thorough survey of electric railway development from the earliest days of the London Underground to modern electrified main line trains. Coverage includes chapters on signalling and communications, power supplies, and a detailed survey about traction systems, both AC and DC. The introduction, first of mercury arc rectifiers, and later of power semiconductor controls, is also discussed in detail. The author has a long standing interest in engineering history and has written many papers on aspects of railway technology. This book will be of particular interest to scientists and historians interested in the development of electric railways.Also available:Exhibiting Electricity - ISBN 9780852968956Spacecraft Technology: The Early Years - ISBN 9780863415531The Institution of Engineering and Technology is one of the world's leading professional societies for the engineering and technology community. The IET publishes more than 100 new titles every year; a rich mix of books, journals and magazines with a back catalogue of more than 350 books in 18 different subject areas including: -Power & Energy -Renewable Energy -Radar, Sonar & Navigation -Electromagnetics -Electrical Measurement -History of Technology -Technology Management