THE FINAL SUMMIT.

Railway Age reports, "Clemson history professor and prolific railroad historian H. Roger Grant has died," continuing "Any readers who study railroad history are likely familiar with the work of H. Roger Grant."  His train set was his work.

Clemson University released a statement about Grant’s passing:

“Clemson University mourns the death of H. ‘Roger’ Grant, Professor, History. The University was notified on Nov. 17 that Dr. Grant had passed away. He was hired at Clemson on August 15, 1996, and was in his 27th year at the University.

“Roger was one of the leading historians of American railroads with an amazing record of having published more than 40 books, but what his colleagues will remember is his kindness and generosity, especially to new faculty,” said Stephanie Barczewski, Acting Chair, Department of History and Geography. “Beyond his academic accomplishments, Roger was instrumental in building community within the department and university, and he will be greatly missed.”

“Grant, who intended to retire at the end of the semester, was continuing his research, with two more books in development when he died. He was recognized as the University’s Centennial Professor in 2004. He was also honored as one of 75 people worthy of praise in the 75th anniversary of Trains magazine.”

Professor Grant was able to write scholarly books that did not bog the serious ferroequinologist down in scholarly jargon or score-settling.

I'm tempted to marvel simply that the product of an academic press (Indiana, in this instance) doesn't have a sub-title.  Yes, it has pictures, but no, it is not a Central Electric Railfans' Association style corporate history with rosters and notes on the disposition of cars.  It's closer in organization and scope to Frank Rowsome's old Trolley Car Treasury: there's the emergence of the cars, the prosperous years, the decline and fall, and the preservation, this time limited to the interurban (as opposed to the city and suburban) services.

It's the social history and political economy of the interurbans that give Grant's book its structure.  The electric car came along at an inopportune time: yes, it could overcome the inflexibility of the steam train with lighter construction, more frequent schedules, and the possibility of covering costs in more thinly settled areas.  Thus, between the electric cars and the introduction of rural telephones, rural folk could arrange the delivery of stuff or go into town for church or a social event or interact with a greater range of people or otherwise be spared the centuries-old idiocy of rural life.  Likewise, they could bring their goods to market, loading milk cans on the baggage section of the cars, or bringing the eggs into town and being home in time to make supper.

The timing was inopportune, though, as the private automobile, sometimes using the same electric technology, later with the Otto cycle engine, gave people even more freedom of movement (once the taxpayers started picking up the tab for improved roads, that is) and the private automobile provided courting couples with even more opportunities to escape eyes on the front porch as well as a safe space, if you will, for women who might otherwise be hit on on the electric cars.  Thus, although the interurbans made efforts to improve service and retain passengers, they "ran out of time."

And, of course, an Iowa man with more than a passing interest in lost causes would document the Chicago Great Western and the social history of small town boosters distributing post cards showing nonexistent interurbans.

His colleagues at the Lexington Group on Transportation History offer similar sentiments.

“It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of H. Roger Grant, historian, board member, and past president of the Lexington Group,” said Lexington Group President Al Churella. “An Iowa native, Roger was born in Ottumwa on Nov. 28, 1943, and spent his formative years in Albia. His appreciation for the region’s railroads and people is reflected in many of his works, most recently Sunset Cluster: A Shortline Railroad Saga. It was one of more than forty books that Roger authored during a stellar career, covering such diverse topics as electric interurbans, the development of railway technology, and the life of station agents. His biographies of John W. Barriger III and Jervis Langdon Jr. provide extraordinary insights into individuals who have shaped the railroad industry. Studies of the Wabash and the declining years of the Erie Lackawanna have become classics, and attest to the thoroughness of his research and his skill as a storyteller. His scholarship has resulted in widespread recognition, including the George W. and Constance M. Hilton Book Award and the Gerald M. Best Senior Achievement Award from the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society.

“During his time at the University of Akron, between 1970 and 1996, and since then as the Kathryn and Calhoun Lemon Professor of History at Clemson University, Roger displayed skill and dedication as a teacher. He won widespread praise from his colleagues, who noted his warmth, sense of humor and commitment to mentoring emerging scholars.

“Roger was a dedicated supporter of the Lexington Group and served for many years on the board. He was my predecessor as president, during a period he jokingly referred to as “the Grant Administration.” I last saw him a few weeks ago, during our excursion on the East Broad Top. He was in his element, delighted at the opportunity to spend time with trains, and with his friends. I will cherish the memory of sitting with him at lunch that day, discussing a wide range of topics, and I wish that I could have another such opportunity.

“Roger’s support for railroad history extended far beyond the Lexington Group and included membership on the boards of directors of the Center for Railroad Photography & Art and the John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library. He was also co-editor of the Railroads Past and Present series at Indiana University Press. His fellow editor, Tom Hoback, informed me of Roger’s passing, noting that ‘we’ve lost a giant.’ No matter how many words I write, I can think of no better way to describe Roger’s extraordinary life and career, and how much we will miss him.”

The article concludes with an abridged list of Professor Grant's books, some of which I should finish reading, perhaps to offer posthumous reflections now, and some of which don't deal with railroads, as befits a scholar with wide-ranging interests.  R.I.P.