From photography to farming and from medicine to music, Rochester and the county in which it resides, Monroe County, are known throughout the world. This book brings to life the role that rail transportation had in developing an economy that made these contributions possible. By 1900, some of the county's biggest railroads had been drawn to the Rochester and Monroe County markets. They attracted people and businesses to the area and ensured the flow of products to the marketplace. Trolleys enabled people to commute to and from work as well as to enjoy the recreational resources of Lake Ontario and Irondequoit Bay. Rail transportation helped make Rochester and Monroe County truly great places to live and work.

Richard "Dick" Chait has been an avid rail fan throughout his life. This is reflected in both his writing and societal activities. Living in the city of Rochester and then in the town of Irondequoit, he saw firsthand how economic growth and rail transportation of the region were intertwined. Currently a resident of Northern Virginia, he remains a rail fan, devoting much of his time to his family, travels, and toy train collection.