Among the most scenic and also the most challenging segments of the Southern Pacific was the Shasta Division, connecting California's Central Valley to southern Oregon, both on the Siskiyou Line via Ashland and the Cascade Line via Klamath Falls, all routed through the central point of Dunsmuir. Traffic between Portland, California and the East traveled over this line. This new book by John R. Signor, a noted SP authority, covers the construction, operations and history of this line, from its beginnings in the 19th century, to the end of the Southern Pacific in 1996. A rich trove of rare and historic photos enhances the history, while dramatic images highlight more recent operations. Signor's previous book on this topic, entitled Rails in the Shadow of Mt. Shasta, was first published in 1982, and has long been out of print. Since that time, he has gathered substantial amounts of additional infomation and photographs, so much so, that a mere revision of the 1982 version could not have encompassed the material in hand. Accordingly, an entirely new book has been prepared, with new page layouts and a revised and expanded text, and a great many new photos. The new book is 70 pages longer, contains well over 50% more black-and-white photos (now totaling 568 photos), and 24 completely redone maps. It also features 39 color images, none of which were in the older book.