Narrow Gauge Books

Perfect, new condition, shrink wrapped for protection.

Excellent Historical content. My husband was thrilled.

A fantastic work! Very detailed and full of fascinating photographs. Anyone with an interest in American narrow gauge will find this fascinating.

What to say more ....
Complete, full of drawings of rolling stocks, maps, the history of those brothers is so well written that seams a "romanze" not a real history.
Packed with informations, maps, and everithing you can expect from a "professional" writer.
An absolutely "must have" for any railroad fan and not. A piece of history.
Enzo Fortuna

As a researcher of Northern California local history, I use this book as a primary source document. I find the accuracy astounding, the book is easy to read, and the illustrations are first class. It is a model for anyone to follow -- study it, and cite it with confidence.

This massive volume charts the development of early California railroads, both narrow and standard gauge, by following the lives of two Irish immigrant brothers, Thomas and Martin Carter. It is much more than just a railroad history as it explores how they gained the skills and knowledge to build railroad cars, bridges, and even the railroads themselves, and how they used innovative leveraged financing (which in retrospect seems surprisingly modern) to build their company. The cars that they built some 100 years ago can still be found, still in San Francisco, Alaska, and in numerous railroad museums across the western United States.

As Mr. MacGregor develops the story of the Carter Brothers he is also telling the story of six individual early California Narrow gauge railroads which were built to fight the monopolistic Central Pacific system, called "the Octopus" by the newspapers of the time. Each of these lines will have a connection to the Carters, either through cars built by them, or through bridge and car designs which they provided under contract. Through side bars and supplemental chapters you gain insight into how these railroads operated, the locomotives they purchased, and which saloons were favored by their management.

Additionally, this is a wonderful example of the great American story, as the two brothers escape famine plagued Ireland, only to pass through the plague infested Canadian immigrant stations on the St. Lawrence River. 1862 finds Thomas operating his own business in upper New York state, which he abandons to come west to California to avoid the Civil War draft.

While Thomas finds work in the shops of California's first railroad, his younger brother Martin goes to work on the new state capital building. Thomas loses his leg in an industrial accident, and as a result has to find an alternative to physical labor. That alternative was railroad car drafting, which became design and eventually engineering. With these newfound skills he would form, with his brother a partnership to build railroad cars. That company would thrive for 30 years in a difficult economy.

The text is supplemented by a rich assortment of photo, drawings and contemporary color illustrations. The book even finds room for an amusing and insightful discussion of Thomas Carter's love life and his long standing affair with Molly Redmond, a refreshingly liberated Victorian woman.

This is a must have book for anyone interested in Western railroads, narrow gauge, or California History.

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 ?

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.

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

Author Doris B. Osterwald: This mild by mile guide is keyed to mileposts placed along the east side of the track. (Right side of train on northbound trip to Silverton.) These markers are steel posts about 5 feet high and 6 inches wide that are from 10 to 20 feet east of the track. This railroad is located in Colorado.

This guide provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the 45 miles of narrow gauge track between Durango and Silverton, CO. Included in the guide are maps, photos and historical background about the building and operation of this section of track. Information about the restoration and operation of the line as one of the historical scenic rail lines in the US is presented, including the histories associated with most of the engines operating the on the line.

Each significant mile mark is described by referencing easily identifiable landmarks, with background information being included. The stretch of track covered passes through some of the most scenic and rugged areas of the Rocky Mountains and proved an engineering challenge not only to build, but to keep in operation.

If you are planning a vacation to this area of Colorado, this is a "must do" item for your itenerary. Cinders and Smoke will help in both planning and enjoying the excursion.

THIS BOOK SHOWES THE NCNG AT ITS BEST. OUTSTANDING BOOK FOR MODELERS AND TRAIN BUFFS. TWO THUMBS UP!

This is the definitive work on the definitive Sierra Nevada narrow guage railroad. A classic work, the text is fascinating, the photographs enchanting.

Recently republished, the plates are excellent. I was first introduced to this work 20 years ago, and it continues to be a favorite.

"Two Feet to the Lakes" is the most complete and authoritative work on the B&SR Railroad published to date. This book is highly sought after.

The several year search for this excellent book was well worth the wait!! Covers the entire life of the B&SR, as well as including many valuable photos, track plans, motive power roster, and rolling stock roster. A must for any fan of Maine Two Foot narrow gauge history or narrow gauge model railroader.

Nobody captures the heart and spirit of the steam powered locomotive, or the American Southwest like that of Robert Royem. I wouldn't hesitate a comparison between his photography and the best works by Ansel Adams and David Muench, in a word these images are sublime. When you combine this gift for photography with a style of prose that is both graceful and has the abilty to turn a history lesson on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad into something as beautiful as a southwestern sunset and as rich as the precious ore it's cars delivered, it is little wonder Royem is being heralded as the best photojournalist in America today. If your interested in the captivating images and the historical significance that the San Juan Mountains have to offer, or just interested in photos documenting the painstaking craftsmanship that went into the making of this countries early iron horses, then this is the book for you. Hillerman, Abbey, Woodkrutch move over and make way for a new kindred spirit, Robert Royem, his photos speak of a couple centuries worth of words and his book is an American classic that any reader will have a hard time putting down.

As per usual the Narrow Gauge Calender from the Colorado Railroad Museum is loaded with excellent pictures of Colorado narrow gauge lines. Although practically all of the D&RGW or its successors, the pictures give a lot of detail in the background for those interested in Colorado.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge: A Quick History is a superbly presented regional history of one of Colorado's colorful rail systems originally developed to service the 19th century gold, silver, lead, and copper mining districts in the San Juan mountain range. This rail roading history is set within a contextual framework of the region's overall development, economics, personalities, settlement, and population expansions from its beginnings in the 1871 as the Durango & Rio Grande down through its current incarnation to 1998. Duane Smith's informative and engaging text is peppered with historical photographs and route maps. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge is a welcome and much appreciated addition to the railroading history shelf and reference collection.