Trains and Railroads Books

The book has super great pictures of most El and Subway cars, going back into the 19'th century. Most pictures are connected well to the text, except for the earliest cars where one is uncertain which car is being pictured. More disappointing are the data appendices on most cars. These have inconsistent information and formatting. For some cars the balancing speed, accelerations and decelerations are given, but not the motors' horsepower. For other cars, the motor horsepower's are given, but not the other data. The most troubling inconsistency is the various values given for the balancing speed of the BMT Standards throughout the text.

The title says it all! This an all-in-one encyclopedia for NYC Subway cars. There is a lot of emphasis on cars prior to the unification in the 30s, and the information is very much up to date.

I got a gift certificate for $25 from a relative in CA I only met once, and I bought it on this book! It's really cool! They have all the info about every subway car, they have pics and technical data, and they even have info abotu the soon-to-arrive R160! I can even use this to ask my brothers what kind of subway car they rode! As a railfan who knows all the makes and models of the subway cars, this book pwnz! So if you ride the NYC Subway, or your'e just into it, buying this book that has all the current info is a must!
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When Evolution of New York Subways was published in 1997, I bought a copy immediately. Back then, I thought the book was an incredible tribute to the rolling stock of the New York City subway system. I also thought it would be a very long time before such a volume could be surpassed in any way. In 2004 (the centennial year for the original IRT subway)we have New York Subways: An Illustrated History of New York City's Transit Cars. This book is even better than its predecessor. It boasts a vertical format that is easier to handle and read. Many of the original photos have been improved, information is updated to reflect the latest subway rolling stock, and the color section has been expanded. Congratulations to Gene Sansone on an outstanding effort! Simply put, if you are a fan of the New York City Subway system, this is a must-have addition to your book collection.

In this profoundly moving and beautifully illustrated picture storybook, Haemi Balgassi tells the story of the train which carried South Korean citizens south, away from the reach of North Korean invading troops. Structured as a story within a story, the book carries with it a sense of history, the terror and loss of war, and the hope that causes the most damaged humans to live for the future. This book is a TRIUMPH!

This is a magnificent book for readers of all ages to enjoy and explore. Younger children may enjoy it on it's simplest level of a child missing a mother. Older readers will enjoy learning about the effects of war on family and friends. Everyone will savor the gracious art of the illustrator and will feel the story through his heartfelt interpretation of the author's words. Haemi Balgassi has truly written this story from her heart and tears and we are more than fortunate to be able share her family's history. Every classroom should own a copy of this wonderful history lesson

Sumi is a Korean-American girl who lives with her grandmother, whom she calls Harmony (which means grandmother in Korean), on East Blossom Hill. Her mother is in the army and Sumi is homesick for her. Sumi watches the trains in the valley below hoping that someday her mother will be on one. The train whistle reminds Sumi's grandmother of when the Korean War took place. She and her family escaped from Seoul, Korea just before the war came. This marked a very sorrowful time in Harmony's life because she had to leave her husband behind in Seoul to travel to Pusan, which was safe. Though her husband loved her, he insisted that he needed to take part in the war by being a soldier.
I like this book because it has great description. You can read it when you want to read a good book but you don't have too much time to read. It is a mixture between a chapter book and a picture book. The illustrations are amazing. The writer involoves you in the story so you can imagine everything that is happening as if it was happening to you. It was very easy for me to put myself in the place of the characters in the book so I could "be in the story".
This is an excellent book. It is the best picture or short story I've ever read. The pictures illustrate the writing well and add something to the book. I would recommend it to anyone over the age of 9. It is a very emotional book and the author clearly describes the sad events in the characters' lives.

I teach 3rd and 4th grade accelerated reading programs, and recommend this book heartily. Very moving and powerful, and the art is beautiful, too.

Excellent book, great resource for the train lover. Lots and lots of high-quality photos, good text. Highly recommend.

This is a very fine, concise introduction to the "standard railroad of the world." For a readable, yet remarkably thorough introduction to the Pennsy, this is the book to read.

I purchased this book as a gift to myself and it is super. Pictures are very nice and the reading is easy to deal with.
Even my 5 year old loves it.
If you are into trains, this book is worth the money.

A small yet thorough book concerning the history fo the PRR from start to finish. Well written and very informative.

If only all textbooks were written this way. The book describes history through personal experiences. Sidebars are very useful.

Magram's vivid description and anecdotal presentation make for an excellent learning tool. Layout is coffee table-style, but the contents of each page leave young readers well informed. Includes glossary of bold terms.

I loved this book. I learned about history and what really happened when Americans were building railroads back then. I would reccomend it to anyone else.

My son used Railroads of the West for a 5th grade history project. He ended up relying on this book for the bulk of his research. Afterward, he begged me for a trip to the railroad museum near our home! Magram's book puts human faces and life stories to the history of an American industry.

This is a wonderful little book that does a marvelous job of introducing the reader to the building and development of the rail tunnels from New Jersey, under the Hudson, into New York City. While it is not a detailed history of the work, it is very well written, engaging, and absolutely enchanting. I highly recommend it.

Rails Under The Mighty Hudson: The Story Of The Hudson Tubes, The Pennsy Tunnels, And Manhattan Transfer by author and transportation expert Brian J. Cudahy is the true history of the construction of railway tunnels linking New Jersey and New York. Black-and-white photographs enrich this meticulous, thorough accounting of a turn-of-the-century engineering marvel that helped transform America into the modern engine of transportation and mass production that it is today. Rails Under The Mighty Hudson is a meticulously researched and deftly written addition to any personal, academic, and community library railroad history reference collections.

This story begins in the final years of the 19th century, when the first attempts to build rail tunnels under the Hudson were ending. Two of the tunnels were built by one company, the other by a competing railroad company. Brian Cadahy's new edition of Rails Under The Mighty Hudson is updated with more photos and a new preface and chapter of recent events.

I have always enjoyed Brian J. Cudahy's books. "The Malbone Street Wreck" was a sobering look at the disaster that befell the subway line in 1918. And last year's "A Century of Subways: Celebrating 100 Years of New York's Underground Railways" was just the opposite: it was a joyful, admiring look at the making of the subway system in New York, and tracked its progress through the 20th century.

I eagerly picked up this reprint of his 1975 book "Rails Under the Mighty Hudson: The Story of the Hudson Tubes, the Pennsy Tunnels and Manhattan Transfer" and was not disappointed. Briefly, this book describes the historical need for these tubes, the technological requirements, the difficulties in construction, and the dramatic effects they had upon completion. Villains and heroes abound, as they will in any tale of expensive public works, but they are relegated to a second-tier, as Cudahy's obvious admiration for this effort takes precedence. Comparisons to the Erie Canal are not far-fetched when describing the success of these tubes, and it is not far-fetched to say that only Brian Cudahy's passion for his subject makes this book one of the greatest about railroads, in general. The smattering of gorgeous photographs are gravy!

A terrific book, full of lots of photos and colour reproductions of advertising posters etc. Was dissappointed in that it had no detail on the actual trains re locos and consists etc, but more on the PR side of the Chiefs. If you are after more in depth detail I recommend the book "Santa Fe Streamliners" the Chiefs and their Tribesmen by Karl Zimmermann. A must have addition for the set.

In Santa Fe: The Chief Way, railroading enthusiasts Robert Strein, John Vaughan, and C. Fenton Richards Jr. collaborate to present an informative and totally engaging presentation of the famed Santa Fe railroad, and its legendary"Chief" locomotives that powered the trains along the New Mexico terrains. Blending historic photography with period advertisements, and thematic artwork, Santa Fe: The Chief Way is a welcome and much appreciate contribution to any American railroading history collection. Also available in a hardcover format (0937206717), Santa Fe: The Chief Way is an ideal giftbook for railroad buffs as well.

Gorgous photos, paintings, and old advertisements along with informative text, this book is for anyone who has ever been drawn to the serenity and beauty of new mexico.

Robert Strein, John Vaughan, and Fenton Richards effectively collaborate to provide an informative and fascinating history of the Santa Fe railroad in Santa Fe - The Chief Way. Illustrated throughout with many unique historical photographs enhancing the "reader friendly" text, we are presented with highlights of those prestigious trains and their luxurious accommodations on the Santa Fe run. A welcome and highly recommended addition to any railroad buff's collection, Santa Fe - The Chief Way also touches upon the railroad hires of Native Americans guides to ride the trains through New Mexico for the edification of the passengers, as well as citing the film stars and cinematic moments associated with Santa Fe railroading history.

if your child likes farm animals (or trains) this is a great book!
it has been through 3 little boys and has been taped over and over from much use and love from all three!!!
i think this is a def. basic book to have in every collection!

I have 2 yr old twin boys who love this book! I only have to read half the book as they will tell me what noises the people and animals make. We have lots of fun with it.

Definitely one of the better Thomas books available.

Thomas the Tank Engine, a classic character by Wilbert Vere Awdry and Owain Bell, is about to embark on a delightful trip on which he carries people and animals through the countryside. This is a great book to read to your toddler to help them associate pictures of familiar people and animals with the sounds they make (moms will get a kick out of the sounds dads make in the book!). The human characters are reminiscent of those in the song "Wheels on the Bus" and the animals, Thomas and the cars he passes on his journey all provide great opportunities for noisemaking fun. The chunky format makes the book easy for toddlers to hold and page through themselves. Don't be surprised if you hear "Honk honk" and "Peep Peep" as your child "reads" to him or herself!

This was my son's favorite book from about two years to two and a half. He would insist we read it to him every night as a bedtime story. He loved to make the sounds of all the animals. He has since graduated to Thomas The Tank videos, but he still loves this little book that started it all.

I highly recommend it, especially if your child likes trains.

My two year old grandson is totally in love with trains, especially Thomas and friends. He loves anything with trains. This was a perfect fit for him.

Good Morning Engines is a Play-a-Sound book which features 7 sound buttons: Thomas, a rooster crowing, band music, Percy, ZZZZZZ's (sleeping sound), a ticking clock, and the sound of trains chugging on the track.

This is a glossy, board book with 8 pages that encourages children to push sound buttons at appropriate times in the story (indicated by a square symbol of the sound button). There is a royal parade on the Island of Sodor, but James has overslept! Thomas and Percy come to the rescue, but will the passengers get to the royal parade on time?

Note: the batteries for the sound buttons are replaceable, but you'll have to send in a check for $5.99. You'll then receive two sets of three replacement batteries, plus a free screwdriver and replacement screw. How long the initial batteries last depend on how much your child pushes them. My son has had this book for over a year, and the sound buttons are still going strong.

Grandson, age 2 loves anything with that "cheeky" Thomas the Train. A quality book with great music - we never get tired of the songs.

My 2 1/2 yr-old boy loves the book. It's the right size for a toddler to hold and carry along. The pages are sturdy and the sounds are fun to listen to. I hope more in the same series are coming.

This is a great and QUIET toy that keeps my son entertained for quite a while considering he is only 2 yrs old. He only gets to play with it on Sundays during church which helps the book keep its "novelty" and keeps my son from getting bored during the hour that he needs to sit still. We like it and highly recommend it.

Peep, peep! Thomas and his friends are hard at work. All the people on the Island of Sodor depend on Sir Topham Hatt's railway every day, and they are always glad to see one of the engines coming down the line. Now, children can help, too, by creating their own scenes and stories with 9 fun magnets: Thomas, Gordon, Henry, James, Percy, Mavis, Harold the Helicopter, and two Troublesome Trucks.

There are 6 colorful, magnetized, glossy pages to the board book. The story features short sentences, and children are given plenty of space to arrange the magnets on the story boards. There's a plastic sleeve on the side that holds the magnets when not in use. The closed book holds it shut, so it's unlikely for the magnets to spill out when handled by children.

My son has gotten a lot of mileage out of the magnets, even using them on the fridge and other magnetic surfaces.

We got this before a flight and it has been a great activity book for my 2 year old. He loves putting the magnets on the tracks and then saying 'goodnight' to them each evening as we put them back in the case. It's more activity than book. He loves it! Not a day goes by when we don't read it at least once.

While the story is so-so, the fact that it has magnets is a definite plus! Keeps the kids busy in the car, at home, anywhere and the magnets store nicely on the side of the book!

I love the world and want to share it with my little one. He's 5, and we both loved this book and it's gorgeous illustrations. Teaches a bit about adventure, art, Chinese culture and geography. Highly recommended. Also, The Snail and the Whale (by the team that did the Gruffalo) is another book that this reminds me, which we both recommend.

Tom Mouse by Ursula K. Le Guin is the story of Tom, a brave young mouse who dares board a train for the thriving city of Chicago. Tom befriends a young woman who, unlike most, does not shriek or shoo at the sight of a mouse; a friendship blossoms, that is wonderful enough to make a mouse dance. The soft color illustrations by Julie Downing add a friendly touch to this thoughtful and highly commended picturebook for young readers.

"Tom Mouse grew up in a hole in the wall of the diner in the station. His family was content with their cozy nest and the doughnut crumbs and bits of bacon they picked up in the diner. But Tom watched the great trains come into the station and leave again, and he wished he could go with them..." So begins Ursula Le Guin's sweet and lovely tale about a little mouse who yearns to leave home and see the big wide world he's heard so much about, and finds a companion to share his travels with. Tom kisses his family good-bye, scurries aboard a train headed for Chicago, and is off on what he hopes will be the beginning of a lifetime of adventures. Fortunately, he makes himself at home in Roomette Nine, along with its paying guest, Mrs Powers, an interesting and remarkable woman who, he finds, is not afraid of mice. In fact, she seems happy to have the company, and shares her snacks and conversation with Tom. As the trip continues these two form a special alliance, and decide together, that seeing the world would be even more fun and exciting with a friend..... Told in four short chapters, Ms Le Guin's simple, gentle text is complemented by Julie Brown's charming and expressive illustrations rendered in warm and soft, subdued tones. Together word and art bring this endearing little rodent and his story to life, and you can almost feel the motion of the train, and see the world rush by outside the window, as the train speeds on toward Chicago. Perfect for early readers, or as a read-aloud story the entire family can share together, Tom Mouse is a heartwarming and engaging tale of friendship and adventure that shouldn't be missed, and one of the best new pictures books of 2002.

What a wonderful story that captivated my children!! Not to mention that Julie Downing once again makes every story come alive with her illustrations. You can see the mouse dance and how she captured the twinkle in his eye was so fabulous!!! Any child will just love this book!!! Many thanks!