Railroad Books

Union Pacific's Big Boys: The Complete Story from History to Restoration
Union Pacific’s Big Boys: The complete story from history to restoration covers the who, what, why, and when of the 25 popular 4-8-8-4 steam locomotives. This book gives the historical background on the early 1940s development, explains why they were built, how they were used, and traces their history until they were retired in the 1950s. It also covers the much anticipated and well covered restoration of No. 4014 starting when it was recovered in a park in 2013 all the way through to its restoration and tour across the United States in the summer of 2019. Trains magazine has been published for almost 80 years, much of which has included extensive coverage of Union Pacific’s Big Boys since they were created. Everything you need to know about these popular steam locomotives can be found in this 224-page book.
American Steam Engine BuildersAmerican Steam Engine Builders
Here is the companion volume to Ken Cope's previous works on machine tools, carriage making machinery and cooperage machinery. Factories filled with the machinery described in the previous works, from the smallest drill presses to giant planers, could not have existed without a reliable and sufficient power source. The steam engine was that source, from the start of the industrial revolution to the general availability of electric power distributed from large, central generating stations in the early 20th century. Smaller size engines, made for farms and small industries such as cheese factories, greatly reduced the manpower required and therefore the cost of the final product to the consumer. The nearly 1000 illustrations show the development of the steam engine from 1800 to 1900 in a great variety of sizes, styles, and designs. Many designs shown proved impractical and were soon discarded; other designs such as the Corliss engine were made by scores of firms for scores of years. Along with the illustrations is a brief history of the individual maker, chronicling the various engines that each made.

The American Steam Locomotive in the Twentieth CenturyThe American Steam Locomotive in the Twentieth Century
Between 1900 and 1950, Americans built the most powerful steam locomotives of all time--enormous engines that powered a colossal industry. They were deceptively simple machines, yet, the more their technology was studied, the more obscure it became. Despite immense and sustained engineering efforts, steam locomotives remained grossly inefficient in their use of increasingly costly fuel and labor. In the end, they baffled their masters and, as soon as diesel-electric technology provided an alternative, steam locomotives disappeared from American railroads. Drawing on the work of eminent engineers and railroad managers of the day, this lavishly illustrated history chronicles the challenges, triumphs and failures of American steam locomotive development and operation.
How Steam Locomotives Really WorkHow Steam Locomotives Really Work
Steam locomotives were developed in the early part of the 19th Century, initially by Trevithick, and then most successfully by George Stephenson, whose engine Locomotion inaugurated the famous Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825. For the next 150 years, steam locomotives were further developed and refined, until the advent of new electrical technology superseded them. Although British Railways operated its last main-line steam locomotives in 1968, there is still immense interest in the large numbers of locomotives that have been privately preserved, and which run on heritage railways and in various parts of the world. This book describes the anatomy and physiology of the steam train, to enable all train enthusiasts to understand the workings of the various types of engines in use. It covers the design of the engine, the process of converting fuel into mechanical tractive effort to haul passenger and freight trains, and the function and design of the various components of the engine. The authors also outline the reasons behind the safe and efficient operation and maintenance of steam locomotives. Although the steam locomotive originated in the UK, there were parallel lines of development in North America and in various other European countries, many of which introduced their own individual features. These are dealt with in the book, which will appeal to railway enthusiasts throughout the world.
The Ward KimballThe Ward Kimball: The Story of Disneyland Engine No. 5
For Disneyland's 50th anniversary, the company had a great idea: add a fifth train to the Disneyland Railroad and name it after Ward Kimball, a Disney Legend and, like Walt himself, a railfan. This is the story of how a locomotive built in 1902 became part of the Happiest Place on Earth.

The story begins not in a theme park but at a Louisiana plantation where a small locomotive called the Maud L. was first put to use over a century ago hauling cane sugar through the hot, humid fields. As the Maud L. ran down over the years, she was destined for scrap—but then her "life" took a change for the magical.

Disneyland Railroad expert Steve DeGaetano tells the tale of how the Maud L. became the Ward Kimball:
- The early years of the engine destined for Disney, including its quiet decades at a theme park in Ohio
- Disney's acquisition and rebuilding of the Maud L., and its rebranding into the Ward Kimball
- The inaugural run of the Kimball at Disneyland's 50th anniversary celebration
- A fascinating look at how Disney tests, operates, and maintains its steam trains
- Plus, an account of Walt Disney and Ward Kimball's lifelong friendship, a bond forged from animation, steam trains, and theme parks

The whistle blows. A puff of steam rises over Main Street Station. The Kimball has come. All aboard!

Dining By RailDining By Rail: The History and Recipes of America's Golden Age of Railroad Cuisine
Dining by Rail is James D. Porterfield's book of history and recipes from America's golden age of railroad cuisine. Porterfield is a devotee of railroad history and a gourmet cook, and while preparing this book he sorted through 7,500 railroad recipes. Full of authentic menus and classic recipes like Lobster Newburg, deviled eggs and blanc mange, Dining by Rail is the book for anyone who has ever dreamed of returning to the days of glamorous travel.
Detailing and Upgrading Steam LocomotivesDetailing and Upgrading Steam Locomotives: Modeling & Painting
The late steam and steam-to-diesel transition era remain very popular with model railroaders. This book offers modelers a single reference guide for upgrading, detailing, modifying, and maintaining their steam locomotive models.Covered topics include: • An overview of steam locomotives: types, history, and how they work.• Upgrading and repowering older plastic and brass models.• Adding DCC and sound; weathering; and modifying details to reflect various prototypes.
American Steam LocomotivesAmerican Steam Locomotives: Design and Development, 1880–1960 (Railroads Past and Present)
For nearly half of the nation's history, the steam locomotive was the outstanding symbol for progress and power. It was the literal engine of the Industrial Revolution, and it played an instrumental role in putting the United States on the world stage. While the steam locomotive's basic principle of operation is simple, designers and engineers honed these concepts into 100-mph passenger trains and 600-ton behemoths capable of hauling mile-long freight at incredible speeds. American Steam Locomotives is a thorough and engaging history of the invention that captured public imagination like no other, and the people who brought it to life.
The Railroad Photography of Lucius Beebe and Charles CleggThe Railroad Photography of Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg
Bon vivant, railroad historian, photographer, pioneering food critic, chronicler of New York's café society, and noted newspaperman, Lucius Beebe (1902–1966) was an American original. In 1938, with the publication of High Iron: A Book of Trains, he transformed the world of railroad-subject photography forever by inventing the railroad picture book genre. In 1940, he met creative and life partner Charles Clegg (1916–1979), also a talented photographer. Beebe and Clegg produced an outstanding and diverse portfolio of mid-twentieth century railroad-subject photographs. Beebe, sometimes with Clegg, also authored about forty books, including many focused on railroads and railroading.

The Railroad Photography of Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg brings their incredible story and best photographic work together. Providing an extensive biographic introduction to Beebe and Clegg, author Tony Reevy presents a multi-faceted view of the railroad industry that will appeal to rail enthusiasts as well as those interested in American food culture, the history of New York City, and LGBT studies. The Railroad Photography of Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg is an indispensable history to the work of two men who forever changed the way we see and experience American railroads.

Virginia & TruckeeVirginia & Truckee: The Bonanza Road
In the history of the Old West, few names conjure-up such exciting memories of manifest destiny as the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. The bonanza line recalls the days of free-wheeling western expansion, silver mines, gold bullion, huge stamp mills, six-shooters, braudy-houses, overnight wealth, brass-bound 4-4-0s and the Comstock Lode.

Like a double-eagle on the green felt of a faro table, the V&T shines as the most famous of all short line railways. This volume is a grand word and picture look at the railroad throughout her eighty-one year history, up to the present day in photographs and other illustrative matter that tell the story of the Comstock road better than words alone can describe. So stand back, here comes the V&T in all of her unabashed glory... High, Wide and Handsome.

The historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad, from its frenzied beginning near the Comstock Lode, to its Hollywood prominence, and beyond. The in-depth story of one of America's best known short line railroads.

Real Stories of the RailsReal Stories of the Rails: First-Hand Accounts of Railroaders from the 1920's to the 1990's
Anyone interested in railroad history or operations will enjoy this special collection of firsthand stories told by former and current railroad employees. Personal accounts of this kind are popular among railfans, history buffs, and modelers. Late steam and early diesel periods. The duties of various employees. Real-life accounts from engineers, firemen. Conductors, yardmasters, and more.
Hollywood's Trains and Trolleys
Hollywood's Trains and Trolley's relives the golden age in Los Angeles. The new book from the Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation takes you along the trolley routes that connected the Hollywood studios from Boyle Heights to the Pacific Palisades. For the first time a book zeroes in on the trains and trolley movies produced only within a 30 mile radius of Hollywood. The single exception is the location of Railtown 1987 State Historic Park near Sonora, California. Explore the history of the trains and trolley movies with many never seen before photographs showing every aspect of production and location from the Squaw Man (1913) to Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). Roughly 75 years of movie making in Hollywood. The tale ends on the rail passenger car's observation platform. Experience how Hollywood exploited the end of the train, staging action scenes and personality publicity on the platform. It's all in one book with a colorful map of the historic and present-day studio locations and routes of the "red" and "yellow" streetcars.
Railroads of TodayRailroads of Today
A good narrative look at the railroads as they were in 1949. Union Pacific. Santa Fe Diesel Texas Eagle Missouri Pacific. CTC Board. Many photographs and charts.

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