MBR: The Railroading Shelf

The Railroading Shelf

Chicago Stations & Trains: Photo Archives
John Kelly
Iconografix
PO Box 446, Hudson, WI 54016
9781583882160, $29.95, www (dot) iconografixinc (dot) com

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Chicago was the rail
center hub of the United States and boasted some of the finest
railroad stations anywhere in the country. Compiled by railroad
history enthusiast John Kelly, "Chicago Stations & Trains: Photo
Archives" is a 128 page compendium showcasing 136 captioned black-and-
white archival images showcasing Chicago's six major railroad stations
and the trains that served them. Each of these stations was unique in
its architecture. Enhanced with maps, station drawings, travel
brochures, and even promotional advertising, "Chicago Stations &
Trains: Photo Archives" is a seminal contribution to the growing
library of railroading historical reference material and an
enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, community and
academic library Railroading History collections.

Building A Ready-To-Run Model Railroad
Jeff Wilson
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
www (dot) kalmbachbooks (dot) com
9780890247402, $19.95, 1-800-533-6644

Model railroading is an enduringly popular hobby and pastime. Kalmbach
Publishing is a premier publisher of instructional reference books for
the model railroading enthusiast and one of their newest titles is
Jeff Wilson's "Building A Ready-To-Run Model Railroad" which is a
compilation of illustrated, step-by-step instructions specifically
designed to enable the novice model railroad builder to create simple
benchwork and design a track plan; create scenery with grass, trees,
and more; assemble structure kits; add such realistic embellishments
as roads, signs, and vehicles; select trains and get them quickly
operational for a full-bodied model railroading experience. With the
emphasis on utilizing 'off-the-shelf' components for a quick and easy
layout, and featuring a thoroughly 'user friendly' text illustrated
with more than 200 photos and diagrams, "Building A Ready-To-Run Model
Railroad" is the perfect introduction for anyone wanting to engage in
this entertaining hobby.

Inside The Lionel Trains Fun Factory
Robert J. Osterhoff
Project Roar Publishing
PO Box 599, Winfield, IL 60190
9781933600055, $34.95, www (dot) projectroar (dot) com

Few toys are of such an iconic force for nostalgia as the Lionel model
train. Lionel train expert Robert J. Osterhoff draws upon his many
years of research and expertise to present a superbly illustrated and
definitively informative history of the Lionel model train company and
its enduringly popular toy train creations that were to thrill
children (and adults!) here at home and around the world. It's not
widely known that the Lionel company was one of America's first mass
market manufacturing factories. Osterhoff lays out the origins and
early years of the company in the first of four major parts comprising
"Inside The Lionel Trains Fun Factory" in 'Building the Fun
Factories'. Part II covers 'New Opportunities & Diversification', Part
III features 'Lionelers & Their Inventiveness', and Part V is a
compilation of appendices detailing Lionel Factor Departments;
Timeline of Major Lionel Fun Factories; and Lionel Patents. Enhanced
with a bibliography and an index, "Inside The Lionel Trains Fun
Factory" is a model of meticulous scholarship, thoroughly 'reader
friendly', and a welcome addition to personal, community, and academic
library American Popular Culture History collections in general, and
the supplemental reading lists of all model railroading enthusiasts in
particular.

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