Stock #: KB10672

Covering the building of Durango in the 1930's in On3 will show you how this massive layout begins at Durango. Covering benchwork, track laying, scratchbuilding the roundhouse, the car shops, the ash pit and more. By use of archival archival motion picture film and prototype slides by Mallory Hope Ferrell as well as video and slides of the finished project. more»

Stock #: KB10821

Contains never-seen-before footage! They were known as the most beautiful passenger trains in the world. With an emphasis on sheer riding comfort, Southern Pacific’s famous Daylight trains transported thousands of passengers along the California coast, with the blue Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, breaking one ridership record after another. The SP was hard pressed to keep up with the demand as these trains grew more and more popular with the riding public. Fortunately, railfans were trackside, too, recording the beautiful Daylights on film.

For over 20 years, Pentrex has searched for footage of the Daylights in order to assemble the definitive portrait of this iconic legend. Drawing upon material from private collections, the Pentrex archives, and the Southern Pacific Railroad, we are proud to now present Southern Pacific Daylight Collection, the fourth in our popular “Pentrex Collection” series.

You’ll see the Daylights at work in many locations, from El Paso to Phoenix, crossing the Great Salt Lake, and other scenic areas. In California, you’ll spot the Daylights on Beaumont Hill, Soledad Canyon, and especially…where it all began…along the Coast Line. A few Daylights are shown during the diesel era, but for the most part the GS-4s are the star of the show! You’ll even see a few locomotives in service after they’d been relieved of the Daylight duties.

Our program ends with the 1930s film, Daylighting the Padres Trail. We know you will enjoy this presentation from beginning to end. It’s the most complete coverage of the Daylights ever released, and it’s Pentrex’s grand tribute to “The Most Beautiful Train in the World.” Hi-Fi sound with narration. more»

Stock #: KB10917

This is a look back in time to the "Anthracite" roads that once made the eastern rail scene more interesting and colorful. These principal roads were the Lehigh Valley, Jersey Central, Reading, D&H and the Erie Lackawanna Railroads. The common theme was their early success based on hauling anthracite coal from a unique area in Pennsylvania and the decline of that business. The last decade of these roads largely depended on a declining business in hauling "bridge traffic".

The corporate history of these five roads is woven into a wealth of wonderful, all-color, railroading scenes. Our animated maps, made especially for our videos, are used to keep the viewer more informed. We explain all the mergers and some that almost came about. This railroading action has a grand look at five Class 1 rail lines that were independent until 1976. Our presentation is based on color movie film with its rich color rendering and digital enhancement to make it appear better than even the original. This is 1 hour and 40 minutes of five featured railroads that have disappeared along with highlights from three other regional railroads that faced the same fate.The closing chapter brings the beginning of Penn Central and its rapid failure that swept up the other roads in their northeast. This is a large slice of US railroading history with many "moving parts" -- from a lost but colorful era. DVD. more»

Stock #: 20166

Book content is about flying with America's Reserve and Guard. Hard cover. more»

Stock #: OPATSF-DVD

The Rocky Mountain Railroad Club opened their archives to the works of Otto Perry, noted rail photographer of the Rocky Mountain Region. Enjoy SF passenger trains pulled by mighty steam locomotives and classic diesel types including an EM-a, FTs, F3s, F6s, & PA-2s. All in Warbonnet colors. The Super Chief, the Chief, the El Capitan, the Scout, the Grand Giant wartime 2-8-8-2 steam locomotives are seen on Raton Pass. Plenty of classic SF steam and diesel. Sound with narration. more»

Stock #: CIRCLE

Otto Perry traveled the country recording both moving pictures and still shots of our nation's railroad history. One of his favorites was the D&RGW. In cooperation with the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club gives you a look back at this "narrow gauge circle". Including Marshall Pass, Gunnison, the Black Canyon to Cimarron, Cerro Summit, Montrose, and the realy photographed Valley Line over Poncha Pass to Salida. Sound with narration. DVD more»

Stock #: AV044

Witness incredible scenes on the night of January 17th when it all began. Witness the air war at sea. Stand on the deck of the USS Ranger while F-14 Tomcats blaze into the sky. Meet Saudi Tornado pilots as they fly missions deep into Iraq. Finally, see the close air support mounted by A-10 Warthogs, F-16s, B-52s, and Helicopter Gunships.The complete story of the air war! VHS more»

Stock #: AV042

Complete with historic archive photographs and detailed coverage of "Stormin' Norman's" role from the inception of Desert Shield to the onslaught of Desert Storm. Travel back through the years to his childhood and follow his career through West Point, Vietnam and his years as head of U.S. Central Command. VHS more»

Stock #: HIGHFULL-DVD

Fullerton, California souitheast of Los Angeles see freights from BNSF, MetroLink commuter trains and Amtrak Surfliners. It is a very busy place indeed, often with several trains in sight at once. DVD more»

Stock #: KB10797

This material was shot in 1983, 1989 and 1991 with a mix of video and color movie-film dating back to 1969. See a colorful mix of power and a style of railroading that is vanished forever. The Mountain Subdivision brings the last Western Maryland units in service. CSX fans will also see the early color schemes. Chessie fans will see lots of "tri-color" power. Additional color comes from several CSX liveries from the 1991-era. The history of mergers of C&O, B&O, WM and Seaboard Lines up to the CSXT formation is reviewed. Early film presents B&O, C&O and L&N power plus vignettes of Western Maryland and the small WVN Railroads. See lots of Seaboard and Family Lines power mixed with B&O, Chessie System and CSX colors in big power 'lash-ups' with helpers and meets. The "Cranberry" grade of the Mountain Subdivision, and the Sand Patch grade of the Keystone Subdivision with its beautiful scenery, small towns and great trains are a special visual experience. This is all color, digitally enhanced material, shot in many seasons by Tom Luckey. It brings you a lot of great action with helpers and heavy grades. Many maps have been made for this video to give the viewer a full presentation. These are views back in time with the old Color-Position signals, towers and lots of great railroading that could only be found on the old B&O mountain grades! more»

Stock #: D114-DVD

Vintage film coverig the 1965 to 1979 era on the SP in northern California and southern Oregon. Shows an intact empire that was built on north to south traffic involved in the transportation of wood products. Includes first and second generation diesels, Alco, FM, GE U-boat, Geep-9, SD-9, F-units, EMD, Baldwins, Siskiyou Line, Shasta Donner, Bay Area, Sacramento, Stockton and more. more»

Stock #: 11681

Special! Save 50% !

Includes "Colorado Midland Passenger Service 1887-1918", "Streetcars and Suburbs" - a history of Denver's urban rail system, "A Silverton Trilogy" - 50 years of passenger service covering the Silverton train's emergence since 1941 and "Zimbabwe Steam Safari" which is a contrasting view of narrow gauge steam railroading in southern Africa. Over 220 illustrations (12 color) Hard Cover.

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Stock #: 16980

Includes "In the Mountains of Utah", by Jackson Thode and James L. Ozment. Early construction on the Rio Grande in the Utah desert and across Soldier Summit. "General Palmer's Other Narrow Gauge" by Robert A. LeMassena. Mexican National Narrow Gauge. "The Denver Post's Frontier Days Special", by Richard Kreck and Kenton Forrest. "The Greatest Train", by Alexis McKinney. A personal reminiscence of the Frontier Days Train. "Union Pacific's Articulated Steam Power," by R.H. Kindig and R. C. Farewell. Over 300 photos. Hard Cover.

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Stock #: KB10988

The public relations department of The Milwaukee Road issues this booklet in 1939. It provides the history of the lines built and acquired to create its rail system, with maps of trackage in each state served. Merrill Publishing Associates has reproduced this booklet for the pleasure of Milwaukee Road Fans unable to acquire an original copy. Soft cover. more»

Stock #: KB11291

Latrobe, Greensburg, Wilkinsburg, and many more stations, towers and other structures on the main line. Detailed looks at the Radabaugh Tunnel elimination, Pitacirn Yard and the rebuilding of Penn Station, Pittsburgh. Hard cover.

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Stock #: 14520

“Box Cars and Stock Cars.” Complete car rosters, cars in many paint and lettering schemes. Many rare wooden and steel cars. Hard cover.

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Stock #: VR045-DVD

NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD! UP 8500s gas turbines were all but gone by 1969 but their legend lives on. You will feel the very thunder of these massive steel Goliaths as they pull heavy tonnage out of Salt Lake Basin. Beautiful Color with Hi-Fi Sound & Narration. more»

Stock #: KB11085

Introductory Offer !

Condensed track profile charts are engineering documents giving mile-by-mile documentation of every aspect of a railroad's right-of-way and track work: track layout, grades, curvature, bridgework, etc. On the Chicago, Millwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (The Milwaukee Road) these were company documents issues by division. This profile book charts the Minneapolis - Milwaukee main line and branches in Minnesota and Wisconsin. These documents are scarce and it is the publisher's intent to share this work with others interested in the Milwaukee Road.  Soft cover.

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Stock #: 13152

From 1949 until 1958 Robert "bob" Richardson was the editor and "abandoned lines reporter" of the Narrow Gauge News. Seventy-three mimeographed and six printed issues were mailed to those who sent self-addressed, stamped "No. 10" envelopes to the "World's Largest Narrow Gauge Museum and Motel" at South Alamosa, Colorado. Circulation was limited, and today copies are almost impossible to find.
We have reprinted these as a book with over 150 photographs made from Bob's original negatives, many of which have never been published before, now preserved in the Western History Collection of the Denver Public Library. This fascinating account ofthe final years of the San Juan and Galloping Geese, snowfighting, abandonment hearings and last runs. The struggle among railroad officials, employees, railfans and then-indifferent public over the survival of the slim gauge is recounted rom Bob Richardson's unique perspective.
Bob has written an introduction describing how he chronicled the declining years of Colorado's narrow gauge empire over four decades ago. The Narrow Gauge News played an unrecognized role in building public support for the surviving narrow gauge we treasure today.  Hard cover.

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Stock #: PCBB-DVD

38% Off Special!!

Presents the most complete record of the Big Boy ever released. Includes all 25 of the Big Boys in action, including #4014, (your chance to see #4014 in real steam action!) in the most incredible display of steam power ever! Also includes newly-discovered 35 mm professional footage that was shot in 1953. more»

Stock #: KB11265

Introductory Offer !

By the 1920s, the legendary narrow gauge system of the Denver & Rio Grande Western had shrunk to a third of the railroad's total trackage, and most of its locomotives were worn out. Yet, traffic was heavy on some parts of the line and growing, and standard gauging the lines made little economic sense.

Author Jerry Day spent over 40 years compiling information and over 300 photos, maps, track folios, drawings and diagrams, including a three-page foldout drawing by Mike McKenzie for this volume. In addition, this book includes the D&RGW purchase of the K-36s and changes made to the lines to accommodate them, the operational history on the lines they ran, and accounts of K-36 snow fighting operations, special passenger runs, wrecks, movie trains, locomotive modifications and changes, and a section on the K-36s as they operate today on the C&TS and D&S railroads. Includes an appendix with the complete D&RGW/Baldwin specs for the locomotives. Hard cover.

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Stock #: KB10915

Imagine thousands of steam locomotives in everyday use, rolling through lands of stunning beauty. That was steam railroading in China in 2001 when this exciting documentary was filmed. Much of it is hauntingly similar to the American railroads of the 1930s-1950s. All of it is fascinating. Join our tour of six unique sites and see why steam in China may be the greatest railroad show on earth! DVD more»

Stock #: KB10962

New on DVD! One of the Most Exciting Years in railroading.

McCloud River Steam Excursion

Union Pacific Jr. Old-Timer's Special

Barnum and Bailey's Circus Train

EMD SD60 Demonstrator units on the Santa Fe

Santa Fe's General Electric B3908's

Tehachapi Loop

1985 National Motorcar Championships

Amtrak and More! more»

Stock #: KB10597

Phil Da Costa was able to tour the San Francisco Fire Department many years ago and was forunate to obtain rare data and drawings as well as rare photos of the water towere and tractors which were attached to the ex-horse-drawn apparatus. Included are the Hale water tower (55') that were in service before the Gorter towers were designed and built. Soft cover. more»

Stock #: MOI002-DVD

Take a look at the high-tech red and silver Warbonnets in action traveling through the challenging prairies and mountain passes of the southern Colorado and New Mexico desert. The rugged passes of Raton and Glorieta are a test of strength and power for the "super fleet" diesels. DVD more»

Stock #: STOCK-DVD

The Stockton Tower was one of the last remaining towers in California. Built in 1943, this interlocking tower guided trains through the busy Stockton area for over five decades. On May 27, 1990, the 56 year old tower was demolished thus ending an era. DVD more»

Stock #: 50000

Includes 3 color prints (14" x 17") from the late Mike Pearsall - Winter at Framington, 1934: Three full color prints: Sandy River No. 24 leaving Strong for Kingfield: Sandy River Pulp-rack Train on Sluice Hill, and Winter at Farmington, 1934. Also includes 3 more duotone prints - Sandy River No. 23 at Phillips, Sandy River No. 9 and Crew, Winter at Phillips, and Marbles in the Nineties. In addition, 4 - 8" x 11" duotone prints are included. Includes Portfolio folder and envelope. MINT! more»

Stock #: GIFT25

Gift Certificate for $25.00. We have gift certificates available for $25.00, $50.00, $75.00, $100.00 to order on line.

If you want a gift certificate in a different amount, please e-mail us at info@karensbooks.com more»

Stock #: KB10969

A careful examination of the Milwaukee Road�s intercity passenger service in its declining years before Amtrak with special chapters devoted to riding the COPPER COUNTY LIMITED and the travels of George Strombeck. Hard cover.

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Stock #: D117-DVD

Visit old Cajon, Tehachapi, Mojave, Barstow Yard plus the Stockton and Pasadena Subdivisions. See LAUPT and many other locations with both passenger and freight trains. See the Santa Fe in the evolving years from 1965 to 1985. Includes GP30, GP35, SD24, SD26, F-units, U-boats, Cabooses and more. more»

Stock #: KB10921

Emergency Composite GA/GB Gondola Cars (58 pages) by Pat Wider. The article is a continuation of a series on the "emergency" composite freight cars built during World War II in an effort to reduce the industry's dependency on the critically short materials needed for the weapons of war. Ultimately, seven car builders and railroad shops built a total of 5,125 A.A.R. GA/GB, 41'-6", 50-ton emergency composite gondola cars. Also, 4,450, 52'-6", 70-ton gondola cars were built for nine railroads based upon the A.A.R. emergency composite hopper design. In addition, 2,240 non-standard 50- and 70-ton GB composite gondola cars were built to various proprietary designs during the emergency period. The article includes 25 diagrams, 3 rosters, and 87 photographs.

ACF-Design 1,958 Cu. Ft. 70-Ton Covered Hopper Cars Built By General American Transportation Corporation (55 pages) by Ed Hawkins. The article includes descriptions and photographs of the cars built by GATC from 1940 to 1949 to essentially the same ACF design presented in RP CYC Volume 27. It describes how GATC's cars differed from those built by ACF as well as the changes in design during the 10-year production span. Discussed are three roof and hatch cover designs, the distinctive GATC locking bar design, and the various side and end designs. The text and a two-page roster covering 2,993 cars built by GATC for 28 railroads and 4 private owners identify the specific variations and specialty items such as hand brakes, running boards and brake steps, trucks, wheels, and painting specifications. The GATC cars are illustrated with more than 90 builder and in-service photographs including a number of informative overhead views. Soft cover.

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Stock #: RKSC-DVD

This is the complete story about America's premier train, hosted by television star Michael Gross. Climb aboard the Super Chief, the showcase train of the SF Railway. Includes interior shots, dining car service, interviews, a little bit of railroad china and more. more»

Stock #: RKST-DVD

Climb aboard the California Zephyr and experience the magic of a unique train, and also meet the people who made the Zephyr special. Find out what it was like to ride in a Vista Dome as recalled by several passengers, enjoy a meal in the dining car and much more. more»

Stock #: D119-DVD

Great material from 19 sources shot in many locations out west. See FM and ALCO and many rare SP units. This brings the 1942 to 1975 era on the SP with E, F units and early GP9 and SD9 power. Don’t miss out on the first U- boats. These GE locomotives had some problems. But GE eventually worked their way to the top of the locomotive business by pecking away at EMD. See the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles environs, Glendale’s old Taylor Yard, Colton Crossing, and many extinct branchlines. See the opening of the new Colton Yard and the building and early days of the Cajon Pass line for the SP and its bypass of Los Angeles for north-south through-traffic. Passenger and freight trains abound. Special Shasta, Cascade and even Kaiser ore trains from Iron Mountain near the Salton Sea - plus great and extensive Cajon Pass and Tehachapi action and much more. more»

Stock #: 13387

With the end of Denver & Rio Grande Western three-foot narrow gauge operations in Colorado and New Mexico, a chapter closed in American railroad history. Robert W. Richardson is recognized as one of the founders of the narrow gauge railroad preservation. In this book, Bob recounts his early days as an editor, advertising coordinator and more. 16 pages of color. Hard Cover. more»

Stock #: SPFA12-DVD

From the vaults of the Southern Pacific Railroad comes a collection of rare vintage films never before released to the public. Part of the footage shown here was shot in 1941 for a promotional movie called This is My Railroad, but World War II intervened and in 1947 the film was entirely reshot, leaving the original footage unused. You'll see marvelous images of early GS-class steam locomotives on the Coast Daylight and Noon Daylight climbing Santa Susana Pass, speeding along the Pacific Ocean and in San Luis Obispo. Also included is a rare shot of the Sunbeam in Texas. There are many scenes of the awesome SP Cab Forwards pulling freight on the Coast Line and over Tehachapi and Donner Passes. These mighty giants are also seen pulling passenger trains through the Sierra Nevadas. Mikado and Mountain types make appearances as well. A section on early diesels showcases many of SP's first-generation models, including Alco PAs; EMD E6s, E7s, F7s and GP7s; and Fairbanks-Morse Trainmasters in freight service. It's an astonishing collection from the cameras of the SP cinematographers that will thrill every rail enthusiast! more»

Stock #: D125-DVD

See Cab-ahead steam and early F-units in snow on Donner Pass. Visit the beautiful Bay Area, run to old Tracy and Lathrop riding the San Joaquin Daylight trains. See the City of San Francisco, Coast Daylight, steam 'Commute', local and mail trains. more»

Stock #: HIGHLON-DVD

See the Eurostar, the channel tunnel trains, and spend a day at Clapham Junction, Britain's busiest railway station. Includes Gatwick Express, First Great Eastern, Connex, First Great Western, Midland Trains, and more. DVD more»

Stock #: 17913

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Stock #: D118-DVD

See the Milwaukee and rivals from 1955 to 1978 covering the electrics, diesels, and some lingering steam. Plenty of runby and trackside views of a vanished way of life in the mountain districts. Covers GE Boxmotors, Bipolars and "Little Joes" and visit a number of locations. more»

Stock #: GIFT50

Gift Certificate for $50.00. We have gift certificates available for $25.00, $50.00, $75.00, $100.00 to order on line.

If you want a gift certificate in a different amount, please e-mail us at info@karensbooks.com more»

Stock #: GIFT75

Gift Certificate for $75.00. We have gift certificates available for $25.00, $50.00, $75.00, $100.00 to order on line.

If you want a gift certificate in a different amount, please e-mail us at info@karensbooks.com more»

Stock #: GIFT100

Gift Certificate for $100.00. We have gift certificates available for $25.00, $50.00, $75.00, $100.00 to order on line.

If you want a gift certificate in a different amount, please e-mail us at info@karensbooks.com more»

Stock #: SS001-DVD

An in-depth look at Santa Fe's Cajon Subdivision traveling from San Bernardino to Barstow's west R-Yard. Witness the SD75M's and GE's Dash 9-44CW flexing their muscle as the climb the steep grades of Cajon. Also includes SP's newest units.

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Stock #: EXTREM-DVD

Includes CP 2816 in the Canadian Rockies, Milwaukee Road 261 in excursion service, Mt. Rainier Scenic's Heisler, Ohio Central's 6325 and 1293, SP 4449 in black paint on Stampede Pass, SP&S 700 in Montana, and Frisco 1522's final run. Color. more»

Stock #: 12877

This book consists of 192 pages, 175 black and white and 77 color photos, and 39 diagrams.   It includes chapters on Santa Fe MTC Cars – History and Operations, MTC Cars (24 classes), Insulated Refrigerator Car History, Insulated Refrigerator Cars (17 classes), Paint and Lettering, and a Color Gallery.  Together with the Refrigerator Cars: Ice Bunker Cars 1884-1979, it provides a complete history of Santa Fe refrigerator car classes. Soft cover.

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Stock #: D113-DVD

See Western Pacific in the diesel years to its demise in the early 80s. Covers California Zephyr, freights, switchers, see Altamont Pass, Stockton and Milpitas, California. View the famous scenic Feather River Canyon with appearances BN, GN, and CB&Q appearances.

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Stock #: 16110

Includes more than 200 B&W photos. 104 pages. Contains articles on Freight Car Hand Brakes - 1920s to 1950s, NYC 47'- 11" Drop-Side Container Cars, Phosphate Quadruple Covered Hopper Cars and AC&F Type 27 Uninsulated Multiple-Compartment I.C.C. 103 Tank Cars. Soft Cover. more»

Stock #: D126-DVD

See the Milwaukee Road’s “electrification” on the old Pacific Extension. Remember the “Quills”, Bipolars, GE Boxcabs and GE “Joes”. Additional coverage includes the Milwaukee Road’s diesels and a nice review of Milwaukee Road’s steam powered trains. This is Milwaukee Road’s passenger and freight operations in its finest years. We also bring a good section on snow fighting, MOW equipment and practices as well as the frequent wrecks that kept the MOW people far too busy in the unfortunate years of decline. But overall, the Milwaukee Road’s employees always came through in the best tradition of tough and dedicated mountain railroaders. Don’t miss the comparative electrics on the Great Northern and the BA&P add to the history and scenic views. The copper ore trains that the BA&P actually preceded the Milwaukee’s own electrification. The original electrified BA&P paved the way for Milwaukee’s plans and gave them the impetus to “go electric” -- in many ways. See highlights of rival Northern Pacific and more Great Northern regional competition of their own specialized electric trains – and, their steam and diesel power. This video features mostly 16mm, beautiful, color film that captures the essence of the Milwaukee Road’s Pacific “extension” to Seattle and Tacoma, Washington. more»

Stock #: 15553

This book is filled with color and B&W images on sleepers and baggage cars. Heavily illustrated and complete, it covers the production, service history and modifications to wood, heavyweight, and lightweight sleepers and baggage-dorms assigned to, or owned by Espee. Library bound in an 8 1/2 X 12 horizontal format, over 255 color and 850 black & white images, 109 plans, rosters, appendix, glossary, bibliography and index. Lots and lots of information on these SP cars. Hard Cover.

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Stock #: D108-DVD

Features Southern Pacific and the Rio Grande. This was the highest mainline in the U.S. with 3% grades and 40,000 HP trains. See manifests, coal, taconite and other trains. Colorful pool-power, helpers, power-heavy 100 car trains battle the high altitude and steep grades in this beautiful mountain setting.

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Stock #: HIGHHK-DVD

Hong Kong’s famous double decker trams in action. See the market at North Point, ride the trams and see them in the street. See the famous neon lights and ride the trams at night. 90 Minutes. more»

Stock #: KB11258

Volume 34 of RP CYC is a special expanded 193-page publication that provides updates and 480 additional photographs and diagrams applicable to 39 previously-published articles that were not available when Volumes 1-33 were released. Also included are two new tables, eight trade advertisements, a revised roster, and a list of corrections, and additional information made available during the intervening years. Soft cover.

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Stock #: KB11272

Complete 2 - volume set!   Volumes 1 & 2!

 

The Rock Island, 1960-1969 in Two Volumes, Contains Reprints of All 60 Copies of 'The Rocket' and the 10 R.I. Annual Reports

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Stock #: 16322

This reprint of the 1892 original describes what a light locomotive is, the specifications and cuts of 42 available locos (steam and compressed air). An additional 13 cuts showing applications, and 80 pages of owner listings. Spiral Bound, soft cover. more»