Category Archives: Traction

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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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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Mountain View Trolley Line documents Delaware Water Gap towns and trains

Traction modelers interested in prototype ideas for turn-of-the-century structures, rolling stock, and street scenes will enjoy Mountain View Trolley Line, by William E. Rogers, Jr. The latest book in Arcadia Publishing’s Postcard History Series, Mountain View Trolley Line is filled … Continue reading

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Joe Bux and the Ontario and Western Railway Historical Society document the NY, O and Western

The latest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s Postcard History Series is The New York, Ontario and Western Railway, by Joe Bux with the Ontario and Western Railway Historical Society. A member of the Society since 1970, and its archivist, Joe has … Continue reading

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Attention Pennsylvania trolley fans: meet the author of “Southeastern Pennsylvania Trolleys” on Saturday, October 18

Kenneth C. Springirth, the author of Arcadia Publishing’s new Southeastern Pennsylvania Trolleys pictoral history will be autographing copies of his book at the October Trolley Muster 2008 in Darby Pennsylvania, Saturday, October 18th. Continue reading

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Arcadia’s “Brooklyn Streetcars” offers dozens of modeling ideas for streetcars and streets

The latest edition to Arcadia Publishing’s highly acclaimed Images of Rail series series is Brooklyn Streetcars, edited by the Branford Electric Railway Association. Indeed, a portion of the revenues from Brooklyn Streetcars goes towards the preservation of Brooklyn Rapid Transit … Continue reading

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West Coast Interurbans: California builds anticipation for a future Oregon & Washington volume

In Golden West Book’s West Coast Interurbans: California, Donald Duke has reached the half-way point in a first-class photographic survey documenting the diversity of interurban electric railroading. Whether judged from the point of view of the books organization, the razor-sharp … Continue reading

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Another great online source of classic traction books

Although I usually visit www.alibris.com when I’m looking for out-of-print railroad books, I recently discovered www.tomfolio.com which is impressively categorized. For example, here’s a link to books about electric railroads. The site is an excellent choice because you can browse … Continue reading

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Market Street Elevated Passener Railway: 1907-2007 Centennial

At this weekend’s Boston Trolley Meet, I picked up John Spivak’s slim volume published in conjunction with the 1907-2007 Centennial of the Market Street Elevated Passenger Railway. This full-color, horizontal format, color publication contains numerous vintage photographs, hand-tinted postcards, architectural … Continue reading

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Traction fans rejoice: Ronald DeGraw’s Pig & Whitle continues C.E.R.A.’s tradition of excellence

There must be something in the water; two of my favorite publishers are there. One is the Shore Line Interurban Historical Society, which publishes the excellent First & Fastest quarterly. The First & Fastest is a graphically outstanding and manages … Continue reading

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