I get Email from a Steven Hoffman trying to sell me this ebook The Ultimate Guide to Model Trains. Dose any one know if this book is any good or is not worth it?[?]
Do you know the person who is recommending the book? If not, it’s probably a scam or a book of lesser value. What was the price? How recent is the book? Anything more than a few years old is probably out of date already.
I did a search on Amazon.com and the book was not listed. Maybe do a search on the author in the MR magazine index and through Google. I don’t think I’ve heard of him before.
Buyer beware!
Bob Boudreau
Read all about it here: http://www.wisdomebooks.com/nk/model-trains.html
The web site reads like one of those “but wait, there’s more!!!” type products. Since it is not available through conventional sources (ie Amazon or e-bay), I would be very suspicious. As Bob says, buyer beware.
Speaking only from my own limited knowledge, an “Ultimate Guide to Model Trains” sounds like a compendium of catalogs - and even then, if the book lives up to its title it would have to run to thousands of pages of text, 99+ percent of which would be of little use to any particular operating modeler. I could see it being a lot more useful to a collector.
If I am wrong and it’s an attempt to cover the entire gamut of model railroading from the mid-19th century to the present, toy and scale, from Z to 1/4 scale live steam, with all possible combinations and permutations, make that millions of pages - and nobody who tried to plow through it all would accomplish anything else for years to come.
Either way, I will pass.
Chuck
From the web site:
Warning! Don’t visit another model train website until you read every word of this controversial new report…
Attention: Model Train Enthusiasts!
“Who Else Wants To Learn The Step By Step Secrets Of Veteran Model Railroaders, And Have Them Guide You To Save Time, Money And Stress So You Can Quickly Build, Maintain And Repair The Model Train Set Of Your Dreams?”
At last you can! With the “Ultimate Guide To Model Trains” … it’s perfect for the beginner though the truth is most “experts” don’t know half of what’s covered in this easy to read step by step comprehensive manual.
Finally**…**. The tough questions answered…the jargon demystified… the complex tasks made simple, quick, cheap and painless…and all the resources and manufacturer contact information you need, right at your finger tips!
Anything that sounds too good to be true usually is. Don’t forget, this is an e-Book, meaning that if you want a paper copy you have to print your own.
Who is this “expert” Albert Williamson? I’ve hever heard of him and don’t recall ever seeing his by-line on any model railroading article in any major magazine such as MR or RMC.
I’d definitely pass on this one.
Here is his blog/web site: http://modeltrainsecrets.blogspot.com/
Amazing what Google can find [}:)]
Not sure I am brve enough to enter my name and e-mail for this: http://www.modeltrainreport.com/
"Find Out Why Model Train Experts Want
This Website BANNED…"
Just enter your name and email address below to get instant access to the insider secrets on this website.
Plus, you’ll receive my 5 day e-course “Model Railroad Design Secrets” absolutely free of charge.
I have recieved this offer many times over the last few months , I just don’t trust it.
i guess he hates spam except for his own spam !
i still haven’t seen a price on this thing …
I have seen the price, don’t remember exactly but was around $25, I generally don’t spend that on reg. books let alone an E-Book.
I visited the quoted website, wow it sure is impressive! Sounds just like those late night infomercials! It even has those “extra free items” too.
"Easy, simple ways to clean and care for your model train set" The site keeps referring to your “train set” instead of “model railroad”. That in itself is an indication of the probable level of the writing and the info. And download the e-book for only $27.77!
Thanks but no thanks.
Bob Boudreau
Wouldn’t a beginner be better off posting questions the have on forrums like theese? In a lot of ways, theese forrums cut out most of the B.S. given to the beginners. Just like that book.
This came up some time ago (years) and is just some generalized book somebody wrote on their own computer. At that time several pointed out some glaring errors (one had something to do with Kadee couplers). Remember, it is one person’s opinion, not neccesarily accurate and certainly no better than the myriad of other books out there.
Guys,Just another expert wanna be trying to peddle a e book that is probably made up of well known “secretes” in model railroading.Naw…Who needs it?
Pathfinder,I seriously doubt if any REAL model experts(gag! cough!) would even bother with sitting up a web site to stop a e book unless of course the “expert” was afraid he would lose sales on his own book or his self appointed standing as a"expert".
I smell scam on both sites.One to sell a useless e-book and the second to sell your e-mail addy.