RedGemAlchemist Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 (edited) I have this very old book, the St. Michael Encyclopedia of Model Railways (published in 1979 by well-known British publisher Octopus Books), that I have owned since purchasing it when my old school's library were selling damaged stock back when I still went there about 9 years ago and is still my go-to repository of modelling knowledge. But I have never seen a copy this book anywhere else. Therefore I'm just curious: does anyone else have this book? Edited February 16, 2018 by RedGemAlchemist Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium uax6 Posted February 16, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 16, 2018 Oh its about if you look for it... My dad has a copy, as does a friend, but his is a hardback version, which is the only one I have seen.... I happen to have a railway telephone that appears in it (on the page about Lutton).... Andy G Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 A good, popular, book when it came out, many modeller's used it in the early days as a guide book, but over the years a few ideas have changed. Second-hand copies were still selling well right up to the time I closed my book shop in 2005. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Gough Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I'm pretty sure I still have two copies! Both arrived as gifts several years ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Brit70053 Posted February 16, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 16, 2018 Often seen on sales stands at preserved railways. Regards, John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted February 16, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 16, 2018 A great book for selecting the correct underwear whilst modelling. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted February 16, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 16, 2018 A good, popular, book when it came out, many modeller's used it in the early days as a guide book, but over the years a few ideas have changed. Second-hand copies were still selling well right up to the time I closed my book shop in 2005. Yes, a pretty good book for modellers back in its day and well put together I thought. I believe a copy might still lurk somewhere in the further reaches of my library. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted February 16, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 16, 2018 Two copies here - one hardcover, one softcover. I think I got given it over two successive Christmases around 1979-1980. I still look through it from time to time as it's a really good compendium of modelling and info, at least for its time. Some good pictures of famous layouts, as well, including Pendon, Heckmondwike, Buckingham and others. The picture of a King on the Pendon viaduct in the opening pages was a real inspiration to 15 year old me, making me realise that my Lima King didn't quite cut the mustard, especially with no brake gear. Adding (or trying to add) home-made plastic brake gear was one of the first proper modelling jobs I attempted. I also attempted making a scratch built fully panelled carriage using the David Jenkinson method as outlined in the book - I think I got about 30 minutes into it before realising my results weren't ever likely to live up to the Jenkinson standard, and the horrible soggy mass of plastic went in the bin. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Buckner Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Had one once. Good book. Got lost in one of my house moves. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I've got it, cherished Christmas present from 1978 or 79 I think... compared to most books of that ilk, it is pretty good and features some pretty influential modellers and layouts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacific231G Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I have this very old book, the St. Michael Encyclopedia of Model Railways (published in 1979 by well-known British publisher Octopus Books), that I have owned since purchasing it when my old school's library were selling damaged stock back when I still went there about 9 years ago and is still my go-to repository of modelling knowledge. But I have never seen a copy this book anywhere else. Therefore I'm just curious: does anyone else have this book? DSC_0013.png I have a copy of the paperback edition published by Hamlyn in 1987 and that says the title was first published by Octopus Books in 1979. That may have been an exclusive deal with M&S but your edition also appears to be paperback edition so I don't know whether it was also distributed separately in hardback. It's amusing to see Zero 1 as the latest thing but It's still a useful book. I particularly liked the chapter on operation that among other things explains the working of block instruments very clearly. The list of 24 authors includes many well known names including Peter Denny, David Jenkinson, Vivien Thompson and Cyril Freezer. I'm sure I've seen it on second hand book stands at exhibitions fairly recently. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishmail Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I too had a copy of that book, the paper back version I think. As others have said a very good book. Not sure what happened to my copy, I think I may have given it to a charity shop about 15 years ago now!!! Regards, John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marly51 Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 (edited) Yes, I have a hardback copy which I purchased new from M&S all those years ago. I also have another tome published by Hamlyn in 1976 for the same grand price of £6.95, bought from James Thin Booksellers in Edinburgh. I quite enjoy browsing through these old books, although dated, the historical detail is fascinating! Edited February 28, 2018 by Marly51 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBRJ Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 My aunt bought me a copy in 1979 and I still have it today. Now I think about it, it was probably more influential on my thoughts about small trains than I ever realised. I will have to dig it out and enjoy once more the glories of Buckingham GC, Sunset Valley Railroad and Altenbeken (?) et al Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Fantastic book. Having a photoshoot of the build of the K's Princess was probably more influential than all the similar articles in the magazines of the time put together. It proved to me that "I can do that" because it made it look easy. I really must attempt the build of the GER E4 one day. Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold D9020 Nimbus Posted March 1, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 1, 2018 I have this one too (Octopus Books, 3rd impression, 1982, p/b). Can't remember where I bought it, though not, I fancy, from M&S. An excellent book for its time. Nowadays (and even back then) M&S aren't/ weren't associated with model railways, so I wonder how the book came to be. M&S are of course responsible for the existence of what is now Hornby but was once Triang Railways... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted March 1, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 1, 2018 I remember opening it as a present at thinking oh no a marks and Spencer book this will terrible and I'm going to have to pretend I like it! But once I looked at it it was fantastic. Still got it ,when I see it it reminds me of sitting on my grans stairs eating fish cake sandwiches for my breakfast! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckymucklebackit Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Yep - Got a copy too. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 (edited) I have this one too (Octopus Books, 3rd impression, 1982, p/b). Can't remember where I bought it, though not, I fancy, from M&S. An excellent book for its time. Nowadays (and even back then) M&S aren't/ weren't associated with model railways, so I wonder how the book came to be. M&S are of course responsible for the existence of what is now Hornby but was once Triang Railways... They used to always have a selection of hobby books. Probably more aimed at general things like cookery but also including things like trains, cars, etc. They also had one called Steam by John Westwood. https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9780906320044/Steam-Great-Trains-Railways-Michael-0906320046/plp Jason Edited March 1, 2018 by Steamport Southport Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marly51 Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 (edited) They used to always have a selection of hobby books. Probably more aimed at general things like cookery but also including things like trains, cars, etc. They also had one called Steam by John Westwood. https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9780906320044/Steam-Great-Trains-Railways-Michael-0906320046/plp Jason My copy was published by Octopus Books (jointly founded by Hamlyn and Terence Conran of Habitat fame) - I have other books on cookery, gardening and textile crafts, published by Octopus under the St Michael’s enprint and sold through M&S. All relatively good quality reference books. Marlyn Edited March 1, 2018 by Marly51 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
5050 Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Can't believe it's referred to as 'a very old book'. 1979 was only a couple of years ago wasn't it? Seems like it anyway............................ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marly51 Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 I thought this was an old book, but my copy was published in 1951! Found it when I was researching card building techniques... 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedGemAlchemist Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 (edited) Ok. I stand corrected. Can't believe it's referred to as 'a very old book'. 1979 was only a couple of years ago wasn't it? Seems like it anyway............................ Considering 1979 was 14 years before I was born and I am 24 at the time of writing... I thought this was an old book, but my copy was published in 1951! Found it when I was researching card building techniques...image.jpegimage.jpeg Wow. Nice. Edited March 4, 2018 by RedGemAlchemist Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
5050 Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Ok. I stand corrected. Considering 1979 was 14 years before I was born and I am 24 at the time of writing... Wow. Nice. I'll forgive you then Wish I was only 24........................................... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatB Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 I know where there's a copy secondhand in a WA bookshop and I keep intending to go back and get it. I'm pretty sure that it's a (somewhat abridged) version of a partwork that came as 20 odd thinnish magazines. I did have the partwork, bought secondhand at an event a Bishops Lydeard station c1980, but it disappeared during an unsettled period of my life, making it impossible to check. However some of the articles look very familiar and stuff like the page formatting and typefaces look identical to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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