Author Archives: Roger

Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railway–Important book for California traction modelers

One of the latest additions to Arcadia Publishing’s Images of Rail series is John Schmale and Kristina Schmale’s Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railway. The Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railway is significant book for several reasons. First, it shines a spotlight … Continue reading

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Take a Ride on the Lehigh Valley Across New Jersey

Ralph A. Heiss’s The Lehigh Valley Railroad Across New Jersey, the latest in Arcadia Publishing’s Images of Rail series, is a “must have” for fans of steam railroading in the industrialized northeast.

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David Crosby’s Scranton Railroads does a great city, and its railroads, proud–at a great price

I’ve have enjoyed hours of pleasures since I discovered David Crosby’s recently published Scranton Railroads, the latest volume in Arcadia Publishing’s Images of Rail series.

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Edward DeRouin’s “Pennsy in Chicago” lives up to my high expectations

I was immediately interested when I heard that Pixels Publishing, was coming out with a new book. Their previous offering, Moving Mail and Express by Mail, remains one of my all-time favorite railroad books—a template for reader satisfaction in terms … Continue reading

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Aradia Publishing’s Chattanooga’s Terminal Station offers inspiration to all mainline passenger modelers

Justin W. Strickland’s Chattanooga Terminal Station is not just a fine book about Chattanooga’s Terminal Station. It’s the photographic story of urban railroad passenger terminals throughout the United States during the height of passenger travel and the decline that occurred … Continue reading

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Freelance S-Curve Turnback Module/TA#44

Add new home layout or module possibilities with just 2 turnouts and 1 crossing! Although adherence to the O Scale module standards established by the East Penn Group is always the best way to ensure maximum compatibility with traction modules … Continue reading

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Pacific Electric Los Angeles Elevated Terminal Junction/TA#43

Consider adding an upper level to your downtown terminal! I recently noticed a Pacific Electric photograph with great modeling potential while thumbing through Donald Duke’s excellent West Coast Interurbans: California, recently published by Golden West Books. The photograph documents the … Continue reading

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The Joy of Combines/TA#42

An interview with traction modeler Gerald Brothers A few weeks ago, I was discussing interurban rolling stock with Gerald Brothers, whose craftsmanship frequently graces these pages. Our conversation turned to the numerous combines he’s built for his line, the outside … Continue reading

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What to do when…/TA#41

What to do with your excess models when your interests change At one point or another, even the most dedicated traction modeler may find their attention being drawn in different directions. Their attention may be moving in the direction of … Continue reading

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Signature Press’s “must have” Sacramento Northern book justifies the wait

For several years now, I’ve been waiting for Signature Press to release their Sacramento Northern book, originally written by Harre W. Demoro. There’s quite a story behind the book, but—in short—the wait has been worthwhile. It’s a spectacularly good book.

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