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I'm getting that familiar itch again to climb aboard, after re-reading "Booked on the Morning Train." Anyone have recommendations for other great train books (non-fiction)?
Posts: 133 | From: Florida, U.S.A. | Registered: May 2004
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how about Making Tracks by Terry Pindell and my favorite, Zepher by Henry Kisor ?
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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I have read all three of these books and approve of them all. Another I would suggest if it is still available is a book titled 'From the Cab' by Doug Riddell.
It's been out for about 8 years (maybe 9 or 10) now and the author is a career railroader who at the time of writing had been an Amtrak engineer working mostly between DC and Rocky Mount, NC, Richmond, VA, and Pittsburgh, PA for a number of years. It's an easy and interesting read from the perspective of someone tasked with getting the trains we enjoy riding from point A to point B.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Dixie, I sent this before and apparently it didn't go through so I am trying again. Have you read Heart & Soul of the Trin and Amtraking both by Mauris Emeka? he iis a former Amtrak attendant and also in the military. Once before I mentiond The Trains We Rode. This is a huge book that covers al the train past and present (to the publishing date)with narrative, pictures menus and many memories.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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If you can locate a copy, Fred W. Fraley's Twilight of the Great Trains offers an interesting read into the closing days of the independent operation of passenger trains, offering tales of several roads and the different ways in which they handled their passenger trains in the later years, some never giving up on significant attention on the trains, while others outright burying their services almost defiantly.
I know what you mean about that itch. I am SOOOO close to booking a sightseeing trip just for a weekend.
-------------------- History of Baltimore and Baltimore Transit - Visit http://www.btco.net ! Posts: 86 | From: Baltimore | Registered: Feb 2006
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Train Lady, Libery and NotElvis, thanks so much for the great book suggestions. I'll be making a trip to Barnes & Noble tomorrow.
Posts: 133 | From: Florida, U.S.A. | Registered: May 2004
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Dixie, you might try your local library first. I usually check ther to see if I like the book in question before buying it. Most of the tiem the library does have a copy.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Good idea Train Lady. Actually, I usually do that, unless it's a book I want to keep for my train and cookbook library (I'm a food editor).
Posts: 133 | From: Florida, U.S.A. | Registered: May 2004
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As a librarian, I would note that many books mentioned here are out-of-print, and your local library or an antiquarian book store may be your only option.
My library system's online catalog has 5.2 million items in 72 Ohio Libraries which can be requested online to be sent to your local library for checkout.
Most libraries have some method of ILL (Interlibrary Loan).
Posts: 76 | From: Steubenville, OH | Registered: Oct 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Liberty Limited: If you can locate a copy, Fred W. Fraley's Twilight of the Great Trains offers an interesting read into the closing days of the independent operation of passenger trains, offering tales of several roads and the different ways in which they handled their passenger trains in the later years, some never giving up on significant attention on the trains, while others outright burying their services almost defiantly.
I know what you mean about that itch. I am SOOOO close to booking a sightseeing trip just for a weekend.
Great suggestion Liberty! 'Twilight of the Great Trains' is one of my favorite books.
I find it ironic that the Southern Railway under D.W. Brosnan in the mid to late 1960's was obnoxiously aggressive in pulling off their passenger trains (the truncated 'Augusta Special' for instance) yet rebounded a decade later when, under Graham Claytor, they initially remained independent of Amtrak and actually improved the 'Southern Crescent' to the point that it was one of the better passenger trains available during the 1970's.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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AHALL, very true about the out-of-prints. I've been lucky to find rare and scarce books, too, on ebay. I'll check that out.
Posts: 133 | From: Florida, U.S.A. | Registered: May 2004
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Dixie, also try Amazon . I have found some out of print books in the marketplace there. It's too bad you don't live next door. I have cookbooks "up to there and back" The other day I found a pamphlet stshed away on cooking with honey instead of sugar from WW II.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Train Lady, I'd love to browse your cookbook collection. I have tons, too, including wonderful Southern style tomes, plus the Sons of Confederate Veterans Cookbook with many unique recipes. But bookshelves full of all types from all over the world, including the rare and unusual George the Housewife series.
Who knows, maybe I'll get up your way some day.
Posts: 133 | From: Florida, U.S.A. | Registered: May 2004
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You might also try www.Alibris.com. They specialise in used books and just might have a title Amazon doesn't. Also, try to read "Last Train to Toronto" by Terry Pindell. It describes his journeys on the VIA Rail system after riding Amtrak on "Making Tracks".
Posts: 510 | From: Richmond VA USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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If you're interested in Historical Fiction, a book from the 1960's by John Ehle called 'The Road' is back in print by, I think, the University of Tennessee Press.
It's an embellished (with colorful characters) account of the building of the railroad from Old Fort to Asheville, NC in the late 1870's.....the route a present-day passenger train would use if we can ever get it on track!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Jerome, thanks for the title. I was able to get a copy of "Last Train to Toronto from Amazon's marketplace. Cost $1 plus $3.49 shipping.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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