Hi, I attended the Great Train Show locally a few days a go and it’s got me thinking back to when I first back into model railroading. The very first I book I got from the library on the topic had a pretty good overview of the hobby as a whole and was a great jumping off point. I don’t remember too many specifics, but there was a project layout in it that was your typical 4x8 loop, but was set in Massachusetts, with a small bay, a few industries, with one being a fish plant, set out on a little penninsula from the rest of the layout. There was a variety of other topics in the book, but that one stands out the most. I want to to say it was from the late 80’s or 90’s. Any help finding this would be appreciated.
[#welcome] This one sticks out in my mind:
https://www.abebooks.com/9780890094457/Complete-Book-Model-Railroading-David-0890094454/plp
My dad bought a copy for me back in the day.
Any help?
Good Luck, Ed
No, but I do remember reading that one as well! The one I’m looking for was pretty similar to some of todays books, with maybe a 100 or so pages?
Thanks!
Kalmbach is always putting out books about railroads you can build. Sorry to burst your bubble but 4x8 is a great size for a piece of plywood but very limiting in the length of engines and railcars you can run.
In N scale maybe?
https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/12428
Or
https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/12829
Simon
How about this? I came really close to modeling it.
If that is the book that the OP is referring to, it is available online. It also appears that Kalmbach updated that book in a second edition?
Rich
Rich, I didn’t know that there is an updated version. I love reading these old books, and this particular one is a favorite.
Chuck, I’m not sure of that since I do not have either book. But, from the title and the cover, it does appear to be a second edition. In any event, I am anxious to see if your reply to the OP has found the book that he is looking for.
Rich
Yes, that’s the one!! Thank you for finding that. Many fond memories of looking through this book and scheming of what I wanted to build. Ultimately built a small 2x4 n scale railraod since it was a bit more economical for me, but I learned a lot from this book. I remember the trackside photos in it being top notch too.
Yay! Definitely one of the better books, and it wasn’t hard to find since I had just looked through it again a few weeks ago. These older books bring back great memories of modeling with my dad.
The web site I created (link below) is aimed at beginners. It’s sort of an on-line book where I present some “non-traditional” techniques.