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Union Pacific’s Big EMDs – DD35 and DDA40X - Soft Cover
by Diesel Era

After testing EMD’s GP35-DD35-DD35-GP35 demonstrator set, Union Pacific was so pleased with the design that it almost immediately ordered an additional 25 DD35s and 22 matching GP35s, which were delivered between May and August 1964. These joined the four-unit demon­strator set previously acquired by the carrier.

 As with UP’s earlier experiences with cabless booster units, the lack of flexibility of these massive, mainline-only units soon be­came apparent, and a planned follow-on order for 15 units was changed from booster units to 15 units with fully equipped cabs – the DDA35 was born.

The Centennials were the final example of Union Pacific’s search for the ideal loco­motive. While the road pursued a study of its motive power needs in late 1967 and early 1968, UP in March 1968 tried, as a stopgap measure, using EMD’s SD45 model as a high-horsepower, high-speed locomotive, but with limited success. UP returned to the concept of double-engine locomotives and in collaboration between the railroad and EMD, the DDA40X came to life. Within 13 months of an initial March 1968 communication, the railroad and the builder had worked out a definitive design, and the first unit was delivered. The timing of the first unit coincided with the 100th anni­versary of the May 10, 1869, ceremony marking the driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Summit, Utah – the DDA40X quickly became known as the Centennial. It was numbered 6900, and 46 more examples arrived over the next 28 months.

This 128-page, 8-1/2x11-inch vertical-format perfect-bound (soft cover) book covers these monsters with more than 130 black-and-white and 170 color photos, as well as diagrams.

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Union Pacific in the Los Angeles Basin
by Jeff S. Asay

Southern California was only one corner of the Union Pacific system, but the story of the railroad in that area is fascinating and surprisingly complex. It began in the 1880s with the predecessors of the Los Angeles Terminal Railway, extended through the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad, begun under the ownership of Senator W.A. Clark and then jointly owned with Union Pacific under E.H. Harriman, continued under the name Los Angeles & Salt Lake, until eventual absorption into Union Pacific system. The story extends through the 20th century to the Southern Pacific merger of 1996, with some details, such as the Alameda Corridor, down to the present day.

Part of this fascinating story is the relationships with the other three major railroads in the Los Angeles area, Southern Pacific, Santa Fe and Pacific Electric. Those relations varied between cooperation and vigorous hostility, with each of the railroads taking turns at the opposite extreme from the others at different times.

An important part of the story is Union Pacific’s tenancy of Terminal Island, initially to serve the traffic of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and later to benefit from the vast Wilmington Oil Field, something unimagined when the Los Angeles Terminal Railway was acquiring title to the property in 1890.

The book is lavishly illustrated. About 560 photographs, most previously unpublished, enrich this book, in addition to 100 graphics of different kinds, many in color, and 60 maps. Thoroughly researched in company records, this is an authoritative, well illustrated and complete history of Union Pacific in Southern California. It presents much information and many details about the location, construction and operation of many individual track segments and facilities throughout the Los Angeles Basin.

The book will certainly appeal to anyone interested in the Union Pacific in any part of the 20th century, as well as to enthusiasts of railroad history in general. And those with interests in the history of Southern California will find it a valuable addition to their library.

 Particulars: Union Pacific in the Los Angeles Basin by Jeff S. Asay
Size: 496 pages, 8.5" x 11"; 562 photos, 100 graphics, 60 maps, bibliography, index
ISBN: 978-1-930013-31-5 Publication date: July 15, 2012

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Rebuilding a Layout from A-Z
by Pelle Søeborg
Follow Pelle Søeborg as he completely rebuilds his Daneville model railroad.
 

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TRAINS Magazine - April 2009
5,372 things you should know about the king of farm-to-market transportation: the railroad!

EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW
*shuttle trains: todays way to move grain
* from 40-foot box cars to jumbo hoppers
* a short line revives a wheat-hauling branch
* the long history of railroads and grain
* funky diesels that push for a living

 

The Model Railroader's Guide to Locomotive Servicing Terminals
By Marty McGuirk

Offers hobbyists a guide to modeling locomotive service, repair, and storage terminals. Also includes tips and techniques for modeling trackage, structures, and other terminal details appropriate for the steam or diesel era.

Perfect-bound softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 80 pages; 125 color photos; 50 b&w photos;

The Model Railroader's Guide to Industries Along the Tracks 1
By Jeff Wilson

Provides model railroaders with an overview of North American mining, refining, and agricultural operations served by the railroads, and the specific techniques used to model them on a realistic layout of any scale. Jeff Wilson's clear, concise style makes these complex industries easy to understand and model. Numerous photos and illustrations show key structures, the sequence of operations, and the details modelers can incorporate to accurately represent the industries.

• Perfect for intermediate and skilled beginning model railroaders, and those interested in prototype railroading • Written by Jeff Wilson, former associate editor of Model Railroader Magazine and author of numerous Kalmbach publications, including The Model Railroader's Guide to Intermodal Equipment and Operations, Basic Model Railroad Benchwork, and Basic Painting and Weathering for Model Railroaders

Softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 80 pages; 150 color photos; 30 b&w photos; 30 illustrations;

The Model Railroader's Guide to Industries Along the Tracks 2
By Jeff Wilson

Add realism to your layout! Jeff Wilson provides insights, photos, and guidelines for modeling several rail-served industries. Includes overviews of creameries and milk traffic; the paper industry; breweries; iron ore mining and transloading; freight houses and less-than-carload traffic, and coal customers.

Softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 88 pages; 120 color photos; 70 b&w photos; 12 illustrations;

Model Railroader’s Guide to Industries Along the Tracks 3
By Jeff Wilson

This volume contains a variety of prototype photos and suggestions for how to model and place industries on your layouts for realistic operation.

Softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 88 pages; 76 color photos; 45 b&w photos;

Done in a Day
by Pelle Søeborg

More than a dozen easy weathering and detailing projects will show you how to add realism to rolling stock and locomotives. Well-illustrated, easy-to-follow instructions make this book suitable for beginning model railroaders.

Softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 88 pages;

Designing and Building Multi-Deck Model Railroads
By Tony Koester

Acquire more space and longer towns and runs with multiple decks. Tony Koester walks you through design, options, lighting and wiring considerations, the where and when sequence, as well as the all-important construction techniques.

Softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 96 pages; 175 color photos;

Shelf Layouts for Model Railroads (Pre-Order)
By Iain Rice

Learn how to build a shelf layout by exploring the possibilities, practicalities, and challenges of linear layout design in a variety of layouts with construction details.

Softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 80 pages;

This item is new and may be pre-ordered. Shipping is expected June 2009.

TRAILER - TRAIN EQUIPMENT GUIDE
Official TTX Manual ,

The actual manual used by TTX for its customers.  It comes in a special black TTX binder with yellow lettering. Contents includes Car Reporting Mark and Class Description, Car Dimensions, Photographs of Cars Loading Capabilities and Characteristics. Special Equipment and Master Information Index.  (Special item limited supply)

"BOEING - Plane Maker to the World"
Very Limited Supply

Soft Cover, 8.75 X 11;  256 pages Color & B&W Photos

"CABOOSES OF THE UNION PACIFIC"
The definitive guide to all the UP Cabooses

This 287 page hard bound book, published by the UP Historical Society, covers all the UP caboose classes from the Historical Era (1800's) to the copyright date of 2002. There are many pictures (B&W and color), detailed rosters and mechanical standards diagrams. There is also detailed information on the caboose slogan program. This is a "must have" reference book for any UP fan and/or modeler.

Hard Cover, 8.75 X 11;  287 pages

MOUNTAIN TO DESERT
by Pelle Søeborg
Building the HO Scale Daneville and Donner River

Build a detailed HO layout with mountain and desert scenes! Model Railroader contributor Pelle Søeborg teaches you innovative ways to scratchbuild modern businesses, replicate scenery, paint backdrops, and weather cars in this packed and practical guide. How-to topics include building tunnel entrances; constructing basic terrain with Styrofoam; installing a truss bridge; choosing scenery materials; ballasting track; painting a backdrop; and many more.

Softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 96 pages; 200 color photos; 15 illustrations;

Where can I get those great modern buildings? Click here

Trucking Pioneers
Volumes 1 through 9 available

TRUCKING PIONEERS BOOKS
by M. K. Terebecki

The trucking pioneers series of books covers past and present trucking companies, with a brief history of each company, routes and photos of equipment. Historian or modeler - these books are a must for anyone interested in the trucking companies, that moved freight across this country. 200 pages, soft cover.

Volume: 1 - Out of Print - $34.95
Volumes: 3,6,7,8,9 - $14.95 ea
Order by Volume

"STYRENE MODELING"
by Evergreen Scale Models

How to build, paint and finish realistic styrene models. Also covers tools, adhesives, scratch building, kit-bashing, conversions, detailing, airbrushing, decals, weathering. Many color and black & white photos.

"INTERMODAL EQUIPMENT & OPERATION"
by Jeff Wilson

Contains evolution of intermodal, detailing & kit-bashing models, intermodal facilities & equipment, modeling port & yard facilities, list of intermodal models available, many color and black & white photos.

"INTERMODAL MODELER'S GUIDE" Vol. I
by Model Railroading Magazine

Prototype info and modeling projects for the intermodal modeler. Special section on JB Hunt and BN America Equipment. Many color and black & white photos.

"INTERMODAL MODELER'S GUIDE" vol. 2
by Model Railroading Magazine

Prototype info and modeling projects for the intermodal modeler, special section on United Parcel Service. Many color and black & white photos.

MODEL RAILROADING - Special Issues

The March 2006 issue of MODEL RAILROADING contains a 20 page insert on VEHICLE MODELING plus the March 1998 insert. There are several excellent articles which provide both inspiration and information to vehicle modelers. We have purchased a number of both of these issues. Order here - Don't miss these issues!
Item # 60005 - $9.50
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MODEL RAILROADING - Special Insert

The March 1998 issue of MODEL RAILROADING contains a 30 page insert on VEHICLE MODELING. There are several excellent articles which provide both inspiration and information to vehicle modelers. We have purchased a number of these inserts. Order here - Don't miss this!
Item # 60006 - $4.50
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MODEL RAILROADING - Special Issue

The March 2006 issue of MODEL RAILROADING contains a 20 page insert on VEHICLE MODELING. There are several excellent articles which provide both inspiration and information to vehicle modelers. We have purchased a number of these issues. Order here - Don't miss this issue!
Item # 60007 - $5.50
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RAIL MODEL JOURNAL - FREIGHT CAR MODELS
Volume I - TECHNIQUES

Building from the prototype for better models
Item # 60008- $11.95
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RAIL MODEL JOURNAL - FREIGHT CAR MODELS
Volume II - BOX CARS

Building from the prototype for better models
Item # 60009- $24.95
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RAIL MODEL JOURNAL - FREIGHT CAR MODELS
Volume III - COVERED HOPPERS

Building from the prototype for better models
Item # 60010 - $11.95
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Tuning & Upgrading Athearn Locomotives from Railmodel Journal magazine is an indispensable source of  repowering tips and techniques that will make your locomotives run like you never thought possible. Detailed procedures (many of which were developed and written by Joe D'Elia Jr.) describe the proper use of many A-LINE re-powering products as well as critical tips for tuning the original Athearn components used in the repowered chassis. Also includes articles on super detailing, painting and adding weight to HO scale diesel locomotives. For modelers of all skill levels. 92 pages, soft cover.

DIGITAL "BOOKS" ON CD OR DVD

Some Images are in PDF format - Click Here to download FREE Acrobat 8 Reader

Containers A-Z - by Dave Casdorph

David Casdorph provides an extensive photographic look at intermodal containers from A to Z. Information on ISO types, characteristics, owner/operator (when known), and available models are provided. You'll find photos of rare as well as common containers, and all are in color. This is a valuable research tool for both modelers and intermodal fans. Presented in PDF format (Adobe® Reader® 5.0 or later required), the text is fully searchable, and all 315 high-resolution color photos can be zoomed in on for close examination of every detail...something not possible with a printed version. Because the images are 300 dpi rather than the more common 96 dpi, readers can get an extremely close look at fine details. Pages can be printed for personal use. The 93-page series was first published in Model Railroading magazine.

Sample PDF Page from Book
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