Slovenské dráhy 1918–1948

Rail transport in Slovakia saw a dramatic development in the first half of the 20th century. Historians Miroslav Sabol and Ľudovít Hallon trace it from the establishment of Czechoslovakia to the advent of the communist regime. They also go back to the period before the establishment of the common state when different specifics existed in the Czech and Slovak territories, as the railways were part of the Austrian and Hungarian railroad network. The principal task of the new state was to achieve legislative unification of the Czechoslovak railways and, most importantly, to connect the eastern and western parts of the country by new railroad arteries. There was a massive construction of railroad tracks, and new connections were introduced, such as the legendary Slovenská strela (Slovak Arrow) or the Tatranský expres (Tatra Express). At the same time there were disputes over the Austro-Hungarian heritage, especially related to nostrification and rail tariff policy. The authors also discuss the Slovak state during World War II and the subsequent fast reconstruction of the railroad network after frontline changes, due to which the Slovak part was severely damaged as compared to the Czech lands. The book is supplemented with a series of contemporary photographs and a coloured appendix.