I can’t decide what era I want to model with my MRR (still in planning stages). I know it would help my planning process to know more about what locomotives were in use at what time, and preferably by what railroads / in what areas.
Can anyone recommend a good book on the topic? I’m looking for something that would explain to me the time-line for the appearance of the different diesels, who used them, and where.
Yes, I have also posted this question on the “Prototype” forum. I have no idea how many folks read that one, but I know this one is heavily read and has been great source of information so far.
Thanks.
Hello Tim,
You can purchase the Diesel Spotters Guide which offers highly detailed break downs and specifications on our favorite vehicles.
However, I think that you would also appreciate books with loads of photos with background info as well. I strongly recommend checking books from well known railroad author; Don Ball Jr. For years he’s published hardback books with gorgeous photos. I purchased “America’s Railroads the Second Generation”.
Along with loads of photos, Don gets into the railroads operations and also talks about locomotives used. On the book I have I found out that on the Pennsy Railroad, the famous Baldwin Centipede diesels were actually “maintenance nightmares” for shop mechanics. Alco hood units were able to crawl at speeds so low that EMDs used in the same train would burn out traction motors! Lots of cool facts like that in his books.
These books are usually expensive ($30 and up new) however, a number of them have been appearing on Ebay for the $10 range and up. As of this post. there are some on Ebay at this moment. Consider getting a couple as they are a good, enjoyable resources.
There might not be one book to give you all of the data you are asking for, but I use the Diesel Locomotive Volume 2 from Model Railroader to get many details of diesels. It covers from the early days to the first Dash 2 era in the late seventies and early eighties.
I am hoping they come out with Volume 3 to trace more recent develpments.
Other great books are from Diesel Era that cover the GE Dash 8 GE models and EMD SD60’s in separate books. Both of these offer extensive coverage with pictures and details of almost all of the roads that purchased the units.
If you can, go to a LHS that has a good collection of books and look around. You might find just the right one for you.
Happy Model Railroading!
The two that I use are “Deisel Locomotives: The First 50 Years” by Louis Marre, which takes diesels up through 1972, and “Field Guide to Modern Diesel Locomotives” by Greg McDonnell. Both published by Kalmbach.
Regards
Ed