I have never seen any of the Triumph series of books regarding the PRR, but they look like they would be interesting. However, they are all $70 or so. Has anyone bought them and are they worth the steep price, if you are interested in the PRR? I can’t wrap my mind around why railroading books are so expensive, compared to most any other kind of book. It’s prohibitive to me in most cases, to pay $70 in some cases for a 160 page book, etc.
Thanks,
Mike
Check out used books stores and antique malls as well as the bargain racks at regular bookstores. I have found some good deals on railroad books.
Good luck.
Paul
They are great books - IF !
You are only interested in the Main Lines and most stuff everyone else has seen or read about.
BUT !
If you are hoping for info on the more obscure lines - (OIL CITY - Lowgrade - New Castle Branch to Kaylor, PA) then you will come up a little short.
Yes they had little blurbs and a few pic - but I probably have seen more just on the internet of the more obscure lines than I have ever seen in any book!
I keep looking and hoping!
But then again - who is interested in the PRR branch lines ?
Building the Lowgrade line - East Brady (Phillipston yard) to Driftwood!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
Bob,
“But then again - who is interested in the PRR branch lines ?” Actually, some of us find the branch lines more interesting than the mains:. Elmira Branch, Frederick Secondary, Winchester, etc. The Triumph series covers some branches but not with the detail we hoped for.
Ernie C
Mike…
Yes, they are expensive publications, but they are first class bindings and printing. I have 3 of the Vol., those covering the Pittisburgh region and the volume covering the competiiton between the PRR and the B&O and don’t plan to puchase anymore, unless I find them at a bargin somewhere. the nice thing about the series is that you can choose which part or era of the Pennsy you want or like.
I have all 7 of the Pennsy Diesel Years by author Robert J. Yanosey, signed by the author, and find them to be more detailed and offer many more photos, while the Triumph books offer more of a Historical study of the PRR.
All are very excellent publications and as I said, you cna find them at a good price would make a terrific addition to any RR library.
HeritageFleet1
Ernie
I agree with you on that -
what is so frustrating is the total lack of info on the Branch Lines as it seems that everyone only thought that the Main Line was the only important thing to research.
Unfortunately - everyone researched the same thing - over and over again!
One can only tell a story so many times until it is the same thing again and again.
One can believe the only important things happened on the MANI LINE - but there are so many stories that have gone untold about the branch lines and NO ONE will ever know about them now as those that have lived them are gone!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
I picked up I, II and IV used for $20 each, and they are well worth it. I do not have an extensive book collection. There is more info in those books on the low grade then others I have seen. I really enjoy sitting down and looking through these once in a while. They are one of the few books I have that do not seem to get old to me.
Odie
Reguarding the PRR Lowgrade
Is this the Lowgrade line in eastern PA
or
Is it the Lowgrade line in western PA that runs from Driftwood AP to Red Bank, PA
YES there are 2 different Lowgrade lines!
The one I am interested in was a bridge route between the Pittsburgh-Buffalo (Red Bank, PA) and the Harrisburg-Buffalo main lines (Driftwood, PA).
BOB H - Clarion, PA
[quote user=“Heritagefleet1”]
Yes, they are expensive publications, but they are first class bindings and printing. I have 3 of the Vol., those covering the Pittisburgh region and the volume covering the competiiton between the PRR and the B&O and don’t plan to puchase anymore, unless I find them at a bargin somewhere. the nice thing about the series is that you can choose which part or era of the Pennsy you want or like.
HeritageFleet1
[quote]
I have one volune, the one concerning the Maryland Division. It is an interesting book going into deep detail about the competition between the PRR and the B&O, as well as the political interactions related to this competition. I believe however that the series is overpriced, and in the age of “Kindle” readers bound books are the next item to fade away. I would start with the volume closest to your interest, and after reading that volume, you will know whether you want the rest.
Joe
Bob, the lowgrade I am talking about is the one between Columbia, PA and Atglen, PA in Lancaster/Chester county. I never knew there was more then one lowgrade, haha.
Odie
Yes I learned this early on when I began researching the Western PA line - It originally was the Pittsburgh & Western RR before the PRR took it over way back.
That is why I stated things as I did - all of the research was all things eastern!
BOB H - Clarion, PA