Okay. I have been asked to provide interested relatives a list of items I want for Christmas. I feel this is a good topic but don’t have any idea what to recommend in this area. I have enough of the big book of trains type things. I want some suggestions as to the best books which explain railroads past, present and future.
Watch for the Trains Railroading e-mail newsletter that goes out later tonight. There’s an ad for the before-mentioned “The Railroad: What It Is, What It Does”.
If you don’t get the newsletter but would like to, update your Trains.com profile.
Bergie
Rising from the Rails
The Railroad, What It Is, What it Does by John Armstrong
Freight Terminals & Trains by John A. Droege
Metropolitan Corridor - Stilgoe
Integral Train Systems - Kneiling
Both available through B&N used books
If you pick just one, Armstrong’s work has to be it. I’m fortunate to have an inscribed first printing.
Armstrong was amused by a proofer’s error when he was discussing hump yards, when he’d said that the hump power should be capable of shoving cuts over the hump at a steady 2 to 4 MPH. The proofer had put it in as 20 to 40 MPH. I’d hate to have been a pin puller or retarder operator on that job . . .
Old Timer