CN Locomotive History Layouts

Fellow Modelers,

I have been debating over and over on various layouts and have not yet been able to come up with anything that just speaks to me as gotta be done. So what I have decided to do is a number of smaller runs, with various scenes at different time periods.

What I was hoping to see is if anyone had any suggestions on CN locomotive history. I recently found out that the Canadian National Railway Historical Association released a book, volume one, a look back on the history of CN. As my luck would have it they are sold out, I have looked at number of hobby stores and they are also sold out. Does anyone know any where I might be able to get my hands on a copy or any other publications that can help me with my research? I know the CNRHA has volume 2 released and I have ordered it.

What I plan on doing is a scene from each decade.

Any help on material, sources, etc would help greatly.

Thank you in advance

Brent

Brent,

Here are a few books that might interest you:

  • Canadian National Railway, Tom Murray, ISBN 0-7603-1764-X

  • Train Country, Donald MacKay & Lorne Perry, ISBN 1-55054-441-1

  • Trackside around Montréal 1955-1979, Peel Steven Sr. ISBN1-58248-213-6

  • St.Lambert - A Train of Thought, Lorne Perry,

Unfortunately, you are right, Canadian National Railway Diesel Locomotives Volume 1 is a must for the one who models the CNR in the 50’s.

When I began my actual layout I din’t know much about the evolution of the CNR diesels between 1947 and 1960, the year the “noodle” logo was adopted with the red and black colors. As the logo changed and the locomotives were renumbered, some wore no less than three different numbers in that period, I ended up with locomotives for three different periods, 1948, 1954-1956, 1956-1960.

I made a search to find a source for the book you want but couldn’t find one.

Good luck.

“Extra 2200 South”, The Locomotive Magazine published a comprehensive CN roster in their Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec, and Jan/Feb 1975 issues. Included were roster info on build dates, class, road numbers, quantity built, weight, gear ratio, build numbers and dates as well as quite a few photos. Not sure if this would be of help to you.

I have copies of these issues if they might be of interest.

Have youtried CN SIG. ( Special Interest Group ) They have loads of stuff.

Thanks for all the input books have been ordered and layouts starting.

We always think of the publisher, Amazon and E-Bay - but my go-to source of otherwise unavailable publications is my neighborhood used book shop.

I don’t know what arcane links they have to obscure suppliers, but I have received printshop-fresh copies of items supposedly long out of print. I’ve also been given items that appear to be library culls, but the price reflected that.

You might look into a similar business in your area. The worst thing that can possibly happen is that they won’t be able to help.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

You might want to try Amazon. They have a lot of books and book dealers who sell new and used books through them.

Not sure if ths is what you want (found on Amazon.com) a book store in Georgia has Canadian National Diesel Locomotives vol 1 in stock . They also have vol 2. They are CNRHA books.

You can find what your are looking for on Abe Books, always a good place to search for used books and magazines. Cost is steep, though: $96.00 U.S.

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=18423141917&searchurl=kn%3DCanadian%2520National%2520Railways%2520locomotives%2520Canadian%2520National%2520Railway%2520Historical%2520Association%2520

John Longhurst, Winnipeg

$54.90 U.S. through Amazon new

You could also try Lark Spur Line in Merrickville, Ontario. He has used books from estates and the like. Last year he aquired a large collection of Canadian books, but they are not in the store.

You can always email him and ask for a list to see if there is anything you want. Or mention the titles you are looking for.

http://www.larkspurline-trains.com