Railroad Books

Robert C. Jones has done a great service to fans of Maine's narrow guage railroads by republishing Linwood Moody's classic book on the Pine Tree State's 2-foot guage railroads. No one wrote with the passion for these narrow guage trains than Moody, whose book was originally published in 1958. For devotees of these trains, "The Maine Two-Footers" has been the bible, if you can find a copy. Jones has written extensivly on railroads in Vermont and Maine. His "Two Feet to..." series of books are packed with pictures and information. This new edition of "The Maine Two-Footers" has added photographs and is in a larger format than the original.

I had been wanting to lay my hands on this book for years, since it was out of print I never got it. Now, by chance (thanks to Amazon), I found out that Robert Jones had a new edition published at Heimburger House. Finding out and ordering was just one single step. Here I am now: it is a beautiful book, this new edition being even better thanks to today's publishing possibilities. There is a wealth in illustrations, and nearly all the information you might want. There is a lot to learn about them 'Lilliputs', as Linwood Moody called them. I would have liked to find a few additional pages about the whats and whereabouts of today's 24 inchers. Where are the museums, where can I go to see the last remainders ?

I had been wanting to lay my hands on this book for years, since it was out of print I never got it. Now, by chance (thanks to Amazon), I found out that Robert Jones had a new edition published at Heimburger House. Finding out and ordering was just one single step. Here I am now: it is a beautiful book, this new edition being even better thanks to today's publishing possibilities. There is a wealth in illustrations, and nearly all the information you might want. There is a lot to learn about them 'Lilliputs', as Linwood Moody called them. I would have liked to find a few additional pages about the whats and whereabouts of today's 24 inchers. Where are the museums, where can I go to see the last remainders ?

A wonderful story, humorous illustrations, and a happy ending; this enduring little book continues to be a family favorite, from my 16 year old to my 5 year old. We are buying our third edition, as we have now worn out two other copies. This is a loved book.

Mooney B. Finch (also the subject of another book) has the ability to make his drawings real - or to erase things and make them go away. One afternoon he draws himself a train, and before you know it he's in the middle of a train robbery. He draws and erases the robber's gun, then his pants (leaving only his underwear). There are a few other slapstick moments before the robber is caught,and Mooney B. Finch returns to the peace of his front stoop and his family.

When Moony draws, and touches the paper, his drawing comes to life, and when he erases, it vanishes. He draws a train, foils a robber by exposing his underwear, and returns home. It is very funny and imaginative. I have read it aloud to kids in pre-school up to 3rd grade, and kids always ask to check it out afterward.

The protagonist is Meg. The conflict in the story is that Meg, her mom, and her brother, Danny, move to Kittiwake Bay and the place where Meg works there are people`s things missing. So it`s up to her and her friend, Marc, to find the stolen things and who stole them. The thing I liked best about this story is the setting because it is the best setting for this story.

This book was so good, it made me want to read a sequel! The setting is the beautiful Maine coast, perfect for the story. The characters are Cassie, Marc, Liz, Sam the dog, Danny, the mom, the retirement home residents, and of course, a couple of bad villians. This book is absolutely perfect for all ages, and there's just enough romance, and action. Marc is the older teenage "crush" that Cassie is always relying on for help, until the end! Ryan is the mysterious crush of Liz's, and I won't tell you if he's good or bad! You have to find out!I wont tell you what acctually happens, but it's definetely a must-read!

The book Mystery at Kittiwake Bay takes place by an ocean, at the end of a cliff, in an old mansion. The characters names are Cassie; her little brother, Danny; her best friend, Marc; and John who was pretending to be a friend, but really wasn't. Other characters are Cassie's dog, Sam; Liz, one of Cassie's friends; and two troublemakers named Sailor and Jake. This book is a mystery realistic fiction.

Cassie is just adapting from moving away from Ohio to Maine. One event that was really funny was the part when Cassie's little brother Danny says, "I want a cat."
Cassie says, "You have Sam!"

I think you should read this book because it doesn't make you say, "What a boring book!" Instead you say, "Cool, terrific, enjoyable, mysterious book!" I would tell you if your looking for book aim for Mystery at Kittiwake Bay!

Narrow Gauge Railways of Canada

This is a well-written and nicely-illustrated book by one of Canada's foremost railroad historians. The 2005 edition has 32 pages of color photographs that were not in the original 1973 edition. The book is divided into 23 chapters, ranging fron one or two pages for the smallest lines to 38 pages for the White Pass & Youkon and 44 pages for the Newfoundland Railway.

Each chapter provides a summary of the railway covered, as opposed to an in-depth history, so it is informative yet easy to read; and the text is nicely-supplemented with maps and locomotive rosters. People with a general interest in railways, or a specific interest in Canadian railways or narrow gauge lines should find this book enjoyable and a worthwhile addition to their library.

Railroad gauges in Canada have varied quite a bit. In 1851, the legislature passed a law that all rails laid in Canada would be 5'6". This was to keep Yankee domination of the railroads from happening. The fact that you then couldn't send a car from Toronto to New York wasn't important. This lasted until the 1870's.

Canada's narrow gauges came from two sources. One was the 'British Metric,' not really metric, but 3'6". The other, more common in the west was copied from the very successful D&RG of Colorado which used a 3' gauge.

There were some 17 narrow gauge railways in Canada. Generally speaking they were in areas where the narrow gauge meant significant savings in construction costs. The tighter turning radius meant that a lot less earth had to be moved in mountains.

This book is a loving collection of the pictures and stories of these railways. And lest you think of narrow gauge as something of the last century, there is a great picture on page 115 of a diesel engined train leaving a tunnel and crossing a bridge. What makes is to great is that everything in the picture, the tunnel, the bridge, the engines, the cars is of later than 1968 vintage.

Lovingly Done, Great Pictures, Good Book.

Twenty-three short histories of Canadian railways and tramways are presented in text and in numerous black & white photos. Timetables, engine erection drawings, and time-mileage charts are included for some of the lines. The strength of the book is the presentation of these railways which may otherwise not be known. Those who love Canadian railway history or obscure narrow gauge railroads will find this book a delight.

We visited Canada in Sept. 2007 and travelled on The Canadian between Toronto and Jasper. Finally purchased this masterpiece (via Amazon) from Powells Books. As the previous reviewers have said, it is a fantastic volume of outstandingly high-grade photos. I paid just over $100 shipped to Blighty. It was worth every penny and more! Good heavens; you can even cover up the train elements with your hand and still delight in the scenery portrayed! Any fan of railways and stunning scenery should have this book.
My copy will never be sold but passed down the family line.

If you are a railfan and enjoy seeing photos of and reading about railroads, this would be a good choice. If you are a railfan and are looking for a big, coffee table book, this would be THE choice.

The book looks only at the Canadian Pacific Railroad but that railroad stretched from sea to sea across most terrain types and through gorgeous scenery. Nicholas Morant photographed the railroad and J.F. Garden has put together this book of that effort. It is beautiful.

If you are a fan of the Canadian Pacific, you must own this book! Nicholas Morant set the standard for rail photography. Here is an incredible collection of photos covering half a century on the world's most scenic railroad. Tremendous history. Worth every penny!

This book is easily my best rail book purchase in a longtime. The photo reproduction is supurb and railfans have not seen thesort of writing that is in this book since David P. Morgan died.

This book will probably not interest the rivet counter/roster shot takers, it centers on people, on heartfelt feelings, on the things that matter.

Highly recomended.

Mark Bau END

These photographic essays on Western railroading provide excellent black and white images of trains, providing a photogenic collection of rail scenes from across the country. Rail buffs will find these historical photographic presentations engrossing.

If you're not a fan of railroads and not a fan of photography, you will still enjoy this book. It's no secret Ted's been around, and to some places you wouldn't even believe. However with all these places it's hard to contain it all in a single volume, but Ted has done a wonderful job picking the best and his favorite photographs for the book. Thirteen lucky chapters detail his subjects with a flare and writing that goes down like a bottle of imported beer...nice and smooth! This book is a must for your home library!

I'll keep it short and sweet. This is a b-e-a-utiful book!!
For history buffs, modelers, or just good ol' train lovers!!
I hope they do print more, cuz I'm spreadin' the word about this book!
Hats off to Kenneth and Curtiss and all involved!!!

I not only can recommend this book, but also feel it's a shame that such a wonderful book about California's Central Coast Narrow Gauge railroad is difficult to find, let alone buy. The 2nd printing has all but been sold out, and for many modelers and train buffs alike, are missing one of the finest books on narrow gauge railroads. Please help many enthusiasts, and yourself, to obtain this book by requesting Benchmark Publications, LTD to publish a third printing. You won't be sorry!

"We tend to assume Benchmark will provide top quality photo reproduction, paper, print quality, page design, and typography. The book justifies that assumption. We tend to assume any book by Benchmark will include an accurate history and comprehensive photographic documentation of the railroad it covers. It does.

"But The Pacific Coast Railway goes beyond that. It includes what may be the most extensive collection of photos, track plans, illustrations, and structure, rolling stock, and locomotive drawings to appear in a single volume about a single railroad. The book contains most extant photos of the line and drawings of almost every siding, spur, and yard. It includes plans of nearly all of the significant PC-related structures, passenger cars, and freight cars, along with drawings of all but two locomotives.

For those unfamiliar with it, the PC was a three foot gauge commom carrier running between the village of Los Olivos, California (about 60 miles north of Santa Barbara) and the wharf at San Luis Bay and an interchange with the Southern Pacific at San Luis Obispo. It began operations in 1876; the last train ran in 1940.

"The Pacific Coast Railway: Central California's Premier Narrow Gauge is as fine a railroad book as you will find, bar none. It earns our highest rating. It is superb."

--Finescale Railroader Magazine Feb-Mar/99

Bill Peet, an author native to Indiana, brings alive the circus with "of course" talking animals. Everyone seems to be unkind to poor Pamela and the camel is called names and ridiculed to the point she runs off FROM the circus. She makes her way down the railroad track and finds a broken rail just as she is forced into an old barn for shelter from a storm.

"Toot". She hears the train and runs to try to save the train. Can she do it? After all, she was called "dumb as can be."

Fully and wonderfully illustrated by Peet, a former sketch artist for Disney and working on such projects as "Fantasia, 101 Dalmatians, and Peter Pan." Many other books available by this child friendly author/illustrator.

This book lends itself to class reading followed by discussion on how people are hurt by calling names and making fun of others. Great for church, public, private, or home schools and teachers. It will never be old fashioned for kids.

Excellent book for children of all ages. From the time he was a child, circuses fascinated Bill Peet. He became more interested in the behind the scenes views of the circus, and this is evident in his illustrations. Bill eventually gave up the rhyming scheme, which helped him focus more on stories with morals. Pamela Camel has some of Bill's best circus illustrations, and I highly recommend reading both Pamela Camel and Encore for Eleanor for more of his best written and illustrated work.

Pamela is a performing circus camel. But as a circus performershe was a flop, and everyone let her know it. Disappointed with thecircus, Pamela decides to run away. While she is wandering, she notices a break in the train track that is sure to cause an accident. Will Pamela be able to warn the next train in time? Read this delightful story to find out the ending.

my child has speech delay, and he responds verbally to turn each page!!! also he won't stop manding for it....we had to hide it at the end of the day :)

This book was written by the mother of an autistic child, but I would bet that most young children would love the colorful imagery, the adorable animals and train parts, as well as the repeating story components. The "plot" allows children to take part in the story in a fun way. I look forward to reading it to my twin niece and nephew.

Autism Society Bookstore Review

Party Train is a delightful, large hardback children's book written by Lesli Mitchell, the mother of an autistic child and a professional writer. Using a behavioral context, this appealing story is about a lengthening train full of animals. The 32-page book is written in large print, and nearly every page has several bold words for your child to repeat. Once a page is turned, the events of the repeated words unfold before their eyes in vividly colored, three-dimensional illustrations. These pictures are quite captivating and increase the child's desire to repeat the highlighted words and participate in the story. If you are working on circletime behavior this book will be of help. I feel it is definitely worth the money, and would best interest early childhood educators, parents and their developmentally delayed children who are between the ages of 2 and 10. I have not seen another book similar to this one, and I enthusiastically give it a rating of 5 out of 5.

--Barbara R. Bucknam, M.D.

Excellent Book for the PRR enthusiast and modeller,particularly with
regard to photo's and diagrams of the passenger car interiors.

Pennsylvania Railroad's Broadway Limited may have spent most of its history in the shadow of the New York Central's 20th Century Limited, its great competitive rival, but this book by Voyageur Press is the best of the series including the Voyageur offering on 20th Century Limited. The Broadway itself outlasted its rival, and in a fashion survived into the Amtrak era. This book does the great train justice.

Well illustrated, with excellent photos coveing the full career of the train, from the 'Pennsylvania Special' to the Loewy-designed art deco "fleet of modernism," to the great rolling hotel of the post-World War II era, and then to its final faded glory. The text offers extensive detail on this once great train, more detail than the other books in the Voyageur series, which are also very good.

There was a time when the railroads cared about passenger travel. and the Pennsylvania Railroad's Broadway Limited was prime evidence. The ads said a lot, 'The Best Equipped Train in the World.' Of course you might get a bit of an argument from the New York Central's 20th Century Limited that also covered the New York to Chicago route.

The Broadway Limited is no more. For a while after Amtrak got started it continued the train, but in 1995 it was shut down due to declining ridership and the ever present budget problems. The Broadway Limited made the 908 mile run from New York to Chicago in 16 hours. Today Amtrak's Train 51 - Cardinal will get you from New York to Chicago in 28 hours.

This book is a magnificant collection of photographs of the Broadway Limited. It begins with the earliest days and continues through the Amtrak days. Most of the pictures are in black & white but there is a smattering of color. The story that goes along with the pictures is well researched and tells the history of the train in considerable detail. It reads well and doesn't whimper too much as it describes what we are now missing.