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Useful Reference Books (for USA & Canadian Prototypes/Models)


trisonic
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  • 3 weeks later...

I've been reading Pennsylvania Railroad Flat Cars – Revenue& Work Equipment, 1881 – 1968 by Elden Gatwood and Al Buchan

Its a good high quality history, with plenty of photos, written by obviously knowledgeable authors. I've learnt a lot, although I'm really only interested the the early period.

The photos are well reproduced, however it could do with some more detail shots. (Obviously there would be less available of the earlier gons). Some of the sections of text are have been copy-pasted between sections. While there is a reasonable expectation that the reader of such a volume would have a good understanding of the background history (I've realised I need to gen up on the PRR Lines East Vs Lines West etc) there are a fair few unexplained RR intials.I was disapointed by the drawings, which are basically the same as those at http://prr.railfan.net/diagrams/PRRdiagrams.html?sel=gon&sz=sm&fr=

All in all, good, but no-where near the standard of An illustrated history of BR wagons, Volume 1

I bought my copy direct from the publishers, the PRR Historic Society http://www.prrths.com/estore/

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I noticed this thread and thought I'd point out Charles Freericks's Southern California Locals book http://www.amazon.com/Southern-California-Locals-Railroad-Enthusiasts/dp/1475166788/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348669899&sr=8-1&keywords=freericks+southern+california+locals which he updates on a blog at http://socallocalfreight.blogspot.com/ The blog can give you some of the flavor of the book, which gives a much clearer picture of how trains other than main line intermodals actually operate.

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I have this book, and personally found it quite interesting, however it would probably be of far more use to a "visiting-the-area" railfan who wanted to know where, and when, he was likely to be able to see and photograph, some freight trains. As it says on the cover "A Railroad Enthusiast's Field Guide to Local Trains in Southern California"

Edited by shortliner
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  • 2 weeks later...

For Canadian modellers I would recommend Greg McDonnell's "Signatures in Steel" and "Passing Trains" and "Canadian Pacific - stand fast Craigellachie".

 

All in large photo album format with pictures covering the whole country.

 

Excellent!

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Withers have some very useful books https://secure.witherspublishing.com/catalog/1

 

Including the latest Contemporary Diesel Spotter's Guide https://secure.witherspublishing.com/content/contemporary-diesel-spotters-guide-year-2008-edition

and locomotive directories (spotting books) for NS, CSX, etc (plus one for BNSF for Pete)

 

Adrian

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An updated version of Charles Freericks's Southern California Local Freights is now out: http://www.amazon.com/Southern-California-Local-Freight-Trains/dp/1490504133/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1377113913&sr=8-2&keywords=southern+california+local+freight As it happens, I thought this was such a good idea last year that I gave him additional info and am listed in this edition's acknowledgements.

 

While it covers Southern California (and the territory, at my urging, is slowly working its way north), it provides a great deal of general information on how local freights actually work in North America and should really be digested as part of small layout design overall.

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  • 4 months later...

I've recently discovered this one (via Lance Mindheim). It's Mike Cohill's Detailing Track, which is a soft cover book.

Very much recommended. (as are his other digital 'books', albeit those are a bit on the pricey side for 50 to 60 pages on PDF, but good in depth subjects, and nice modeling shown).

 

see here: http://www.ostpubs.com/Store/product_info.php?products_id=34&osCsid=vb4cm8p6j1dob4n78fgibu07j4

 

 

Koos

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Mike Cougill is a very good guy (and also already a member of RMWeb). Can I reiterate that his "Detailing Track" book belongs on the shelf of every railway modeller.

 

I've never seen your blog before, Simon - have already signed up (I hope).

 

Thanks, Pete.

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Indeed, Mike's book is a very interesting read. Apologies Mike for misspelling your name above if you happen to read this.

I've also downloaded almost all 'missing conversation' e-books, and indeed they help you ask yourself the right questions.

The main one I've asked myself since is why I didn't come across them before :-)

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